Topic: Early potato trial

[Jayb]

I’m planning on a bit of an early potato growing trial this year after seeing how well a couple of volunteer potatoes left outside in bags did last year.  I will be planting a few potato tubers on New Year’s Day, Pentland Javelin and possibly Nadine. I’ll plant some directly in a polytunnel bed, some more will be planted in compost bags which will be kept outside. Also 4 tubers in an outside raised bed, with either fleece or debris netting to help protect.

Anyone else fancy joining in to see what results may be possible?

[louise stella]

If you have a polytunnel you should be fine! 
Wish I had one!

[green lily]

Well I have an eggbox full of Nadine sprouting away and I'm considering popping a couple in a bucket in the poly as it seems to be a mild winter. Otherwise intend to pot them up and plant out when they've outgrown their pots and I need the space. as you say fleece and black poly at the ready..

[Digeroo]

I think I might try some with a straw bale to keep them warm, and  perhaps a plastic picnic table cover from 99p shop.   

[davejg]

I think I might try some with a straw bale to keep them warm, and  perhaps a plastic picnic table cover from 99p shop.   

What a brilliant idea digeroo, beware of a mild winter folks, it could give us a slap as late as april.

[green lily]

Its the sly nip at the end of May that usually gets me into trouble. mind you when I was a kid it snowed on my birthday..2nd. June in Ilford!....Bless the British climate- keeps us on our toes ::)

[Robert_Brenchley]

We had two June frosts last 'summer'. Beware of winter's scorpion sting!

[Amazingrotavator(Derby)]

Bought some Swift today from Wyvale to put in my lotte green house. Planted some last year( Some at the lotte laughed seeing me with seed spuds in January) They weren't laughing when I was digging spuds in April.

[chriscross1966]

I might well try a few in the GH.... they'll be out before I need the space for peppers....

[Amazingrotavator(Derby)]

Exactly what I did last year Chris.

[Jayb]

Straw bales sounds a good idea, unfortunately small straw bales are in short supply around here and a silly price.

Good to know Amazingrotavator, and look forward to hearing how your potatoes do.

I'm hoping as it is only going to be a couple of bags outside and 4 tubers in the ground I'll be able to give that little extra protection needed for frosts. Fingers crossed they should be safe for a while underground. It may come to nothing but the lure of the first new pots of the season is calling  ;D