Topic: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?

[Easywriter]

Hello again - I was given some chitting potatoes, earlies, 'Estima'

All I've read and seen on the net says that earlies should be in end-March, maybe early April at the latest.

Here we are in May now, and they're still not in the ground [my new allotment finally became availiable yesterday, May 1st.

Could I still put them in, or would the best thing be to chuck them away (or add to compost bin)?

Thanks,

[BarriedaleNick]

Just chuck them in the ground - early really just refers to how long they take to mature - you'll still get a crop..

[goodlife]

Oh no ..don't throw them away..they'll do fine...

[cornykev]

Stick em in they will be fine, I personally never put them on my compost heap as they start to sprout again, even my peelings go out with the council waste.  ;D ;D ;D

[Tee Gee]

My earlies went in about a week ago which is around the same time as previous years!

My 2nd earlies went in on thursday last!

[gerkin]

just got some bargain bag of  maris bard 1st early a pound for a 2,5 k bag slightly soft is it still ok to use these?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Yes. They get dehydrated as they grow, hence the shrivelling, but it doesn't matter. The old potato is just a food store which gets used up as the shoots grow.

[gerkin]

nice one ;)