Allotments 4 All
Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Georgie on March 14, 2009, 18:11:08
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I am growing Potatoes for the first time this year and due to lack of space I'm using an old compost bag. I thought I'd use this thread to show my progress stage by stage in the hope it's useful to others new to this - assuming it works!
The seed Potatoes I'm using are a first early called Swift. They were set out to chit on the kitchen work surface (by the back door where it is frost free and light but there is no direct sunlight) on 14 February and this is how they looked last weekend.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3080008.jpg)
I turned the 56lt compost bag inside out and folded down the sides until it was about 70cm tall.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3070008.jpg)
I made lots of holes in the bottom and around the sides towards the bottom and added a good layer of broken crocks.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3070007.jpg)
Today I added 15cm of organic and peat free compost and mixed in 10-15g of slow release organic potato feed. I set the seed Potatoes into the compost.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3140001.jpg)
Then I added another 15cm of compost, firmed it down, watered well and added a label with the name and date planted.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3140003.jpg)
I topped it off with a plastic bell cloche to keep my cat off. Now I just have to make sure the compost doesn't dry out and wait for the shoots to appear. :)
Watch this space!
G x
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Looking good G! I shall compare these to the first four of mine that I plant on the plot, which will hopefully be later in the month. It'll be interesting to see just how we both do! xx
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Could I grow spuds in any large bag, provided I cut holes in it at the lower end?
One of those builders bags?
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Could I grow spuds in any large bag, provided I cut holes in it at the lower end?
One of those builders bags?
Yes. You can grow them in any container providing it's at least 30cm in diameter and 30cm deep but the bigger the better I'm told. :)
G x
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Yes the bags should be fine the bigger the better, just piece a few holes in the bottom and copy the stages that Georgie has done, Georgie I take it your joining the spud challenge now, I think my challenge posting has gone on to page two so I hope to see your message on there. ;D ;D ;D :-*
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Georgie I take it your joining the spud challenge now, I think my challenge posting has gone on to page two so I hope to see your message on there. ;D ;D ;D :-*
Ooops, I'd assumed your post was for lotty holders. I'll go have a look. :)
G x
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Brilliant! Just what I need to refer to for one of my laydees 8)
btw....what is this 'slow-release organic potato feed' to which you refer, please? Spect my laydee might need some of that & it's a new one on me :-[
Ta!
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Brilliant! Just what I need to refer to for one of my laydees 8)
btw....what is this 'slow-release organic potato feed' to which you refer, please? Spect my laydee might need some of that & it's a new one on me :-[
Ta!
Thanks. It's made by Vitax and the good thing is you can use it for other vegetables in containers. Here's a link:
http://www.gardencentre.co.uk/fulldetails.asp?id=1351
G x
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in pots works, too!
[attachment=1]
(wed afternoon at college)
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Bookmarked, thanks Georgie 8)
My laydee bought Desiree I think.
They going to be OK in tubs, then?
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Bookmarked, thanks Georgie 8)
My laydee bought Desiree I think.
They going to be OK in tubs, then?
Hmmm, that's a maincrop isn't it? Guess it'll be okay if the containers are large enough but I'm a novice so I don't really know.
G x
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I wondered, too :-\
This laydee is addicted to the Shopping Channel on daytime TV..never know what she's bought from one week to the next - and she bought 3kg of them..gonna be a lot of tubs then :o
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I am going to plant mine in tubs next week - its all very exciting, well it is when its the first time trying something :)
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I'll follow this thread with interest. I usually grow my potatoes on the lottie but have decided this year to grow my earlies in containers on the patio at home.
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tony....is that one pot per pot -so to speak? And are they earlies you're doing?
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yes they are earlies hyacinth, one per pot, and not mine, but a fellow student is growing them for an experiment! ;)
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Really usefull guide thanks, be sure to show us the updated pics, like at what stage in the shooting you put another layer over etc.
Im growing potatoes for the first time this year, Im a bit behind though as I only bought mine last weekend, I got 5 of each to try, Pentland Javlin, Desiree, Charlotte and Anya, chitting in the kitchen at the moment.
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I am growing mine in bags for the first time this year too. I started off using my potato grow bags but found I ran out before I finished planting. The excess seed spuds are now happily esconced in some of those green heavy duty garden waste bags & so far all the spuds are doing fine.
If it works out well I might as well save money and use the garden waste bags every year as they are significantly cheaper to buy.
CC
ps - will also try to post photos of my efforts.
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Georgie, do you add more compost when the shoots appear?
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Georgie, do you add more compost when the shoots appear?
Yes that's the plan, Pauline. I'll wait until the shoots are about 15cm high, unroll some of the sack and add more compost leaving the tips of the plants showing. The pot equivalent of 'earthing up'. :)
G x
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I earthed mine up last year but my potatoes were in very large pots rather than bags. I didn't get much of a crop though. I didn't use fertilizer, just potting compost so that may account for my poor crop. I will buy some fertilizer this year and see if it makes a difference.
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Hi George I planted my 1st earlies on the 1st of March in pots and grow sacks. my problem has been not keeping the soil moist enough hope to keep on the job this year a hopefully harvest a decent crop :-\.
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This thread is very timely as mum has just popped round with some potato grow bags and some 'swift' seed potatoes.
Very excited and loving the picture guides to follow. :)
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its amazing i have always put spuds in bags since joining here and im sure people have been doing it for years and years, well now the nurseries have jumped on the band wagon and sell potato bags already filled with compost ::)
bet someone will buy em
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I am growing in a container for the first time and am adding compost on almost a daily basis. I am now wondering how to support the foliage as it will be too forward to have outside. I am putting photos on my website if anyone wants to have a look.
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I earthed mine up last year but my potatoes were in very large pots rather than bags. I didn't get much of a crop though. I didn't use fertilizer, just potting compost so that may account for my poor crop. I will buy some fertilizer this year and see if it makes a difference.
I gather that most potting composts (if not all?) only contain enough food to feed the plants for 6-8 weeks. That's why I always add organic slow release food to all my containers. Good luck with your crop this year Pauline. :)
G x
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I am growing in a container for the first time and am adding compost on almost a daily basis. I am now wondering how to support the foliage as it will be too forward to have outside. I am putting photos on my website if anyone wants to have a look.
Laurie I'm sorry but I don't understand. I take it you are starting your potoatoes off under cover? But why are you adding compost so often? Surely the plants aren't growing at a rate of 15cm every couple of days are they?
G x
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Just a quick note: spud bags are very prone to drying out so I don't put holes in the bottom but in the sides an inch or so up from the bottom.
I usually let the foliage get to about 4 to 6 inches before each earthing up - would I get more spuds if I did it more often say at 2-3 inches?
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Photos look great Laurie but like Georgie I'm miffed to why you need to keep topping up with compost. ;D ;D ;D
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On the principle that you should not completely cover foliage I am adding as it pushes through the surface. I may well be wrong in which case I will know better in the future. I have not grown pots in a container before so will learn by mistakes, there seem to be so many different ideas so I am trying my way. Not suggesting it is the right way. They are in my greenhouse at the moment but will be outside when the weather is ok.
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On the principle that you should not completely cover foliage I am adding as it pushes through the surface. I may well be wrong in which case I will know better in the future. I have not grown pots in a container before so will learn by mistakes, there seem to be so many different ideas so I am trying my way. Not suggesting it is the right way. They are in my greenhouse at the moment but will be outside when the weather is ok.
Thanks Laurie. I wasn't implying any criticism, rather trying to understand the benefits of earthing up so often. I've never grown potatoes before so I am keen to pick up as many tips as possible. From what I've read the earthing up process is to increase the yield and guard against the tubers being exposed to sunlight and thus turning green. I agree advice varies but 'trusted sources' advise earthing when the plants reach around 10-15cm and repeating this process two to three times.
My query with the method you are using boils down to whether the plant needs to develop leaves for a while in order the them 'to do their thing' before the plants are earthed up. I'm sorry I can't be more tchnical but I'm no biologist. :)
G x
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Hi Georgie,
I did not take it as criticism I give talks on the basis of about 2 each week and always say this is my way and do not change if you do if different. I am at the Moment living in a tied house but in the near future may have to find somewhere else maybe without a garden. After having worked in gardens for 60 years this will be hard so I am trying various things in containers. At the moment carrots , potatoes and parsnips. The main reason for earthing up is to increase the length of stem from which new potatoes grow as well as keeping them away from the light. If you bury too many complete leaves it can start rotting the stem. My container is almost full, I will post a photo within a day or so, on my blogspot.
On the principle that you should not completely cover foliage I am adding as it pushes through the surface. I may well be wrong in which case I will know better in the future. I have not grown pots in a container before so will learn by mistakes, there seem to be so many different ideas so I am trying my way. Not suggesting it is the right way. They are in my greenhouse at the moment but will be outside when the weather is ok.
Thanks Laurie. I wasn't implying any criticism, rather trying to understand the benefits of earthing up so often. I've never grown potatoes before so I am keen to pick up as many tips as possible. From what I've read the earthing up process is to increase the yield and guard against the tubers being exposed to sunlight and thus turning green. I agree advice varies but 'trusted sources' advise earthing when the plants reach around 10-15cm and repeating this process two to three times.
My query with the method you are using boils down to whether the plant needs to develop leaves for a while in order the them 'to do their thing' before the plants are earthed up. I'm sorry I can't be more technical but I'm no biologist. :)
G x
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Hi Laurie
First of all I'm sorry to hear that you may lose your home and possible access to a garden, that must be tough. :(
Secondly it's good to see that we concur on the reasons for earthing up. :)
But finally you have me worried! You say that if 'you bury too many complete leaves it can start rotting the stem'. Can you expand on that a bit please?
G x
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Hi Georgie,
If you are a pro gardener most times you live in a tied house and if you change jobs or in our case the owner dies, you lose your house. I am old enough to be retired but can stay here whilst owner is alive, he is ninety this year and in poor health.
If you bury any sizable amount of green foliage it can warm up and rot , this in turn can start rot on the stem of the potato plant. This does not always happen but by earthing up or in this case adding in smaller amounts avoids this possibility. In my opinion.
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(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2296/1001627.th.jpg) (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001627.jpg)
This photo was taken today showing the progress of my potatoes growing in a container. As you can see the growth is now at the top meaning there is some 18/20 inches of compost over the potato tuber. I think in new money that is about 50 cms. The tuber was cut in half and the second growth can just be seen to the right.
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Hi Georgie,
Last season I did exactly the same as yourself with the bags. I was kindly sent some really huge plastic sacks to put my potatoes in.
I kept rolling the bag up and adding more compost as the plants grew. Had a few potatoes and was pleased with the results.
Good luck with yours, looking forward to seeing the results :) :)
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Hi Georgie,
Last season I did exactly the same as yourself with the bags. I was kindly sent some really huge plastic sacks to put my potatoes in.
I kept rolling the bag up and adding more compost as the plants grew. Had a few potatoes and was pleased with the results.
Good luck with yours, looking forward to seeing the results :) :)
Thanks SBG. Nice to know it works. :)
G x
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Did the same this year as SBG.
In the GH now & poking thru' the first 300mm. Must admit I will need to poke holes in the sides about 50mm from t'bottom.
Laurie,
Sad to hear of your 'tied' restrictions. If it's any comfort, I'm pleased you're not one of the 'National Trust' sufferers!
I'll watch your spud progress with interest. Good luck!!
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Hello.
I'm happy with the potatoes in containers (I'm using the flower buckets but I'm going to cut the bottoms out of others so I can put them on top to get a greater depth of compost) but now I'm worried about the potatoes in the ground.
Laurie, you said the main reason for earthing up is to increase the length of stem from which new potatoes grow. I thought it was just to keep them away from the light so we were going to cover the ones we plant on the allotment with landscape fabric because we won't be able to get there regularly. for the next few months. Does that mean we won't get much of a crop because the stems will be too short? Woud it be better to leave off the landscape fabric and just earth them up at erratic intervals?
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Welcome to the site Sylvan... you can grow them "on the flat"... :)
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Laurie, you said the main reason for earthing up is to increase the length of stem from which new potatoes grow. I thought it was just to keep them away from the light so we were going to cover the ones we plant on the allotment with landscape fabric because we won't be able to get there regularly. for the next few months. Does that mean we won't get much of a crop because the stems will be too short? Woud it be better to leave off the landscape fabric and just earth them up at erratic intervals?
No the method Laurie was explaining helps to increase the yield of container grown potatoes, when they are in the ground earthing up is to mainly to stop the potatoes going green and the landscape fabric should be just fine. it should also mean you may get quite a bit of crop just under the fabric all clean and free of soil, you'll be able to peel back the fabric pick a few choice spuds for your meals without actually digging up the whole plant which allows you to lengthen your cropping time as well and when you have taken what you want just repace the fabric :).
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some people grow under black plastic sheets by cutting slits in it put the seed potatoes in the ground 6 inch down will continue to grow when they have all flowered pull plastick back and all the potatoes will be lying on the top of the surface // caution needs to be had with pests as such as Slugs and the like as they will have a field day with the amount of ready meals for them 8)
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Thank you. That sounds encouraging ;D
Do I plant them all 6" deep? (I've never deliberately grown potatoes before)
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hiya, sylvan, nice to meet you, what type of spuds are you growing?
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Thank you. That sounds encouraging ;D
Do I plant them all 6" deep? (I've never deliberately grown potatoes before)
Plant them all six inch deep // but will say i have personally never planted them this way i merely mentioned i know of others who have seemed to be fine apart from the slugs
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Hello. Nice to meet you too :)
I'm attempting to grow Dunluce, Rocket, Pentland Javelin, Lady Christl, Kestrel, Harlequin, Desiree, Picasso and Sarpo Mira.
They've been chitting for a month so far. I've put one of each of the earlies in plastic buckets outside the house, on the basis that I can protect them if the weather gets too bad and I'm planning to plant some more in buckets and the rest at the allotment at Easter. I hope it isn't too early - our last frost date is early June, but I daren't wait too long because some of them are already starting to go soft.
I planted my first four on 14th too Georgie. Do you know how soon we can expect to see shoots?
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Do not worry about growing them under a cover as this itself makes the shoots/growths longer. Some people grow under black polythene with good results, I am told. The only thought I have with that way is the number of slugs who will find it such a nice place to live with food easy to get.
Hello.
I'm happy with the potatoes in containers (I'm using the flower buckets but I'm going to cut the bottoms out of others so I can put them on top to get a greater depth of compost) but now I'm worried about the potatoes in the ground.
Laurie, you said the main reason for earthing up is to increase the length of stem from which new potatoes grow. I thought it was just to keep them away from the light so we were going to cover the ones we plant on the allotment with landscape fabric because we won't be able to get there regularly. for the next few months. Does that mean we won't get much of a crop because the stems will be too short? Woud it be better to leave off the landscape fabric and just earth them up at erratic intervals?
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I planted my first four on 14th too Georgie. Do you know how soon we can expect to see shoots?
No I haven't a clue! I'm sure someone here will know, though. Nice to meet you Sylvan. :)
G x
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I planted my first four on 14th too Georgie. Do you know how soon we can expect to see shoots?
No I haven't a clue! I'm sure someone here will know, though. Nice to meet you Sylvan. :)
G x
i planted mine on the 1st of march and today i saw the first signs of foliage. my containers are outside with no fleece but i covered said shoots this evening as last night we had frost so just wanted to offer the new leaves some protection.
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Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming. it's lovely to meet you all.
Georgie I'm sorry I hijacked your thread a bit :-[ Please take it as a compliment - I was very impressed with it and have been watching for days.
Thifasmom, your pictures are wonderful. I'm feeling inadequate now...
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I've been growing spuds on the flat for years. Plant earlies a foot apart, maincrops 15 inches. Digging them in with a trowel is fine. I'm experimenting with a bulb planter this year, but the soil's compacted (I usually plant them in areas which need working on) and it's hard going forcing the d**n thing in!
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Thifasmom, your pictures are wonderful. I'm feeling inadequate now...
thanks for the compliment i was mightly proud of last year's achiements but the trick is taking pictures of the good forget the bad and ugly ;) ;D.
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I've been growing spuds on the flat for years. Plant earlies a foot apart, maincrops 15 inches. Digging them in with a trowel is fine. I'm experimenting with a bulb planter this year, but the soil's compacted (I usually plant them in areas which need working on) and it's hard going forcing the d**n thing in!
I have 1 bed prepared and another that has yet to be started so was thinking of planting on the flat as well. How bad is the damage from slugs?
thanks
1066
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Thifasmom, I loved your pics too! I was particualrly taken with the pics of your hot chilli pepper sauce. A friends dad used to do a batch on a yearly basis for family and friends but sadly he died a while agao and I still miss both him and his sauce :) :'( :)
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Georgie I'm sorry I hijacked your thread a bit :-[ Please take it as a compliment - I was very impressed with it and have been watching for days.
Not at all and thanks for your kind words. :)
i planted mine on the 1st of march and today i saw the first signs of foliage. my containers are outside with no fleece but i covered said shoots this evening as last night we had frost so just wanted to offer the new leaves some protection.
So about three weeks then. Is that about average?
G x
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Slug damage depends on three things, how many slugs you have to start with, how wet the season is, and how long you leave them in the ground. If you can lift them promptly, it probably won't be too bad.
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Thifasmom, I loved your pics too! I was particualrly taken with the pics of your hot chilli pepper sauce. A friends dad used to do a batch on a yearly basis for family and friends but sadly he died a while agao and I still miss both him and his sauce :) :'( :)
thanks 1066 (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/thifasmom/blush.gif), i make my pepper sauce mainly for my OH.
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I always grow my potatoes in the ground, planted 1 row of 36 Rocket 17th Feb, covered with enviromesh, today I noticed the first signs of foliage. last year I planted 7th Feb and was eating new potatoes when the other plot holders were still planting, this year they copied me.
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I always grow my potatoes in the ground, planted 1 row of 36 Rocket 17th Feb, covered with enviromesh, today I noticed the first signs of foliage. last year I planted 7th Feb and was eating new potatoes when the other plot holders were still planting, this year they copied me.
Some of us are not lucky enough to have 'ground' in which to sow potatoes, hence I started this thread.
There are lots of current threads on the forum about growing potatoes so can I ask that we try on keep the discussion here to growing in containers.
Many thanks
G x
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I too don't have a garden, I'm gonna put my name down tomorrow for an alotment athough I may wait a while :'(
I've been growing potatoes in builders buckets for the past 3 seasons. Always a decent crop and beautiful to cook. This year I'm gonna do the same but I've also discovered these from my local (belfast) recycling centre (hope this works):
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1102/greenrecyclingbag.th.jpg) (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=greenrecyclingbag.jpg)
I've 4 bags, 2 will be filled with Arran Pilot and 2 with Maris Piper. I'm also gonna plant my buckets again with 1 spud each.
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Hi everyone,
I have been growing potatoes in pots for around 3 years now and always had a great harvest.
The free black buckets you get from superstore (ones left over from flower displays) are excellent for earlies, ie Swift and Rocket. These can be started off very early if you have a greenhouse to store them in.
I have around 20 black buckets with Swift. One seed potato per bucket.
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/08.03.09/IMG_4824.JPG)
For main crops I use the large pots you can buy at Poundstrechers, they only cost £3.99 and hold, i think 75L of compost. Usually plant 4 seed potatoes per pot.
Most of my main crop potatoes are planted in the veg garden but pots are great and I find work very very well.
Heres a picture from last year...
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/05.04.08/IMG_9962.JPG)
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/22.04.08/IMG_0161.JPG)
You can see in this picture from last year the larger pots
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/01.06.08/IMG_1249.JPG)
There were 6 seed potatoes in this pot (recycle pot from the council)
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/03.06.08/IMG_1415.JPG)
(http://www.backyard.8m.net/garden%20veg/03.06.08/IMG_1423.JPG)
BTW the above image was the harvest from the recycle box not one black bucket.
Well hope this helps, get planting NOW!
;)
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This is the fourth year I have grown potatoes in pots and have had mixed success. Last year I got blight in the main crop I was growing, so had to harvest earlier than I would have like to - but apart from that I have tried :
Epicures - great result - roughly 5 pounds per seed potato
Anya - good result - again about 4 or 5 pounds per seed potato
Wilja - best result out of all the potatoes I have grown - 6 pounds per seed potato
King Edwards - this was last year and I had to harvest early because of blight but got a couple of pounds per seed
This year I am growing Epicures again (these grow all up the Ayrshire coast and are called Ayrshire Potatoes locally - they are our "taste of summer")
Golden Wonders - my favourite main crop potatoes - first time growing these so will keep you posted - but know they will need a lot of feeding.
Pink Fir - no idea how these will do - but love the flavour.
Anya - loved the results I got last time
I will plant mine on the traditional Good Friday - they are chitting at the moment.
Hopefully this year wont be as bad to us as last year was - you could almost chart the blight marching it's way north!
Meg
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I have grown in buckets, tubs, bags & anything I can get really! Always really pleased with the harvests & there is nothing better than bucket to pan in the space of 5 mins!
Got Rocket (as usual), this year & I'm trying Pentland Javelin & Pink Fir Apple for the first time. meg-gordon, will be interesting to see how we get on with the PFA in tubs.
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Bob Flowerdew on Gardener's Question Time last week said that adding layer upon layer of soil / compost to main crop potatoes in tubs increases the yield considerably. He also said that a bit of earthing up of early potatoes is needed to stop the spuds going green, but does not increase the yield.
Any thoughts?
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Before this year I've only ever grown earlies - usually just dump more compost etc on them 3 or 4 times until the tub's full but have just planted them in full tubs as well & never seen a huge difference in yield.
Will carry on with the earthing up method this year as it just seems "right", if you know what I mean!
However, as I'm growing Pink Fir Apple too this year I'll try both methods & see what happens.
On a slightly different point, can the PFA be stored easily? Although they're listed as a maincrop they are a salad potato so wasn't sure if that makes a difference.
Cheers.
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It seems pink fir apple is one of the latest maturing potatoes. I assume its culinary use makes no difference to its storage characteristics.
http://www.europotato.org/display_description.php?variety_name=Pink%20Fir%20Apple
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Teej, I have friends who have grown Pink Fir in sacks for several years and are always happy with the results. Not sure the yield is great but they are very tasty. I grew them in the ground last year, and to be honest didn't really store them very well (didn't have a proper space sorted last year) but to be honest they didn't last too long due to the fact we ate them really quickly and gave some away :D
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No problem with storing PFA's, they stay in the ground late and if stored correctly they last for ages. ;D ;D ;D
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Brilliant news on the PFA! Thanks folks.
Bjerreby, that site is great!
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My first year growing potatoes, so far have some colleen and Anya in bags, watered well when planted, how often should i water them before they actually show leaves and flowers
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I have an extra cardboard recycling bag that i am now going to have a go at container growing.Apparently it the same size as the one sold by a major seller.
This is mostly brought on by the fact ive run out of space for taters and the extra spuds i have are Charlotte. Five 6 Meter rows of them alone.Anyone know if they will last long enough for Christmas time.
I'm yer old time gardener and all this new fangled stuff is turning out to be loadsafun.
This in no way affects my recycling of cardboard.
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My first year growing potatoes, so far have some colleen and Anya in bags, watered well when planted, how often should i water them before they actually show leaves and flowers
I'm sorry but the answer has got to be 'it depends'. Just keep an eye on them and only water if it looks like the soil is drying out. Mine have been watered once since I planted them a couple of weeks ago.
G x
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Thanks Georgie, will just keep monitoring
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I made lots of holes in the bottom and around the sides towards the bottom and added a good layer of broken crocks.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P3070007.jpg)
thanks for this i was wondering if i should put something in the bottom of the bin liners im going to use
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I came to the conclusion many years ago that crocks were a waste of space. They have no nutritional value, and only drain the container if the compost lets the water through. If it drains as far as the crocks, it'll drain all the way to the hole at the bottom, so you might as well give the plant the benefit of a container filled right up with compost.
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I grew in pots for the first time last year (first time full stop) Does anyone know why they were only pebble sized? Could it be that I put far too many seeds in the one pot or did I do something else wrong? I had lots, they were just small and hard lol.
I'd like to try again this year.
SK x
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hiya, sk..how big was the pot and how many did you put in ?
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hiya, sk..how big was the pot and how many did you put in ?
Hi Manicscousers
Hmmmmm - the pots are about 16" but I *think* I may have put about 5 (or more) seed pot's in each one :embarrased:
SK x
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Hi sex, you only need to put two in, try them in grow bags or big builders bags there a bit bigger than your pots. ;D ;D ;D
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wouldn't be embarassed, we've all done similar ;D
we put 3 in a container , covered with about 6" of soil, then topped up as the leaves grow through, I think ours are about 2'6" when full, about 2' across, if that makes sense ;D
Hyacinth's famous free black buckits get 1 per pot, they're about 10" tall, I think..the worst thing is making sure they don't dry out and remembering to feed them ;D
we crossed in the posting, ck ;D
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Okay. Three weeks on and the first shoots are showing. ;D I'm going to keep the cloche cover on for a while yet to keep my cat off but here's a photo with the cloche off.
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Garden%20April%2009/P4050002.jpg)
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My shoots are starting to show too, but they're a much darker green than yours. Should I start worrying?
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My shoots are starting to show too, but they're a much darker green than yours. Should I start worrying?
Well this is my first time too but I'd say no! ;D
G x
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Planted 8 leftover Charlotte tubers (2nd earlies) in an old black plastic dustbin today. This is a lot more than I planted in the same dustbin last year. There are holes in the bottom. First layer is some gravelly stones, then some bits of chopped up turf acquired by narrowing some beds, then some manure and allotment soil in which the tubers are planted. Didn't buy any special compost this year so will be interested to see what kind of crop I get.
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Just done my first earthing up on my Orla's planted 20th March, used b and q multi purpose compost and alpaca manure in a black bag
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Don't worry about shoot colour Sylvan... stems/sprouts vary in colour with the variety.
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Thanks saddad :-*
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Four weeks old.
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4110035.jpg)
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My Orla after 3rd earthing up, planted on 20th March
(http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu328/phoenixco2/th_DSC01410.jpg)
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Today I decided that the shoots, the tallest being about 15cm, were ready for their first 'earthing up'
First I unrolled a bit of the compost sack until it was level with the tallest shoots.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4140001.jpg)
Then I added handfuls of potting compost carefully around and over the plants until just the top leaves of the shortest plant were showing.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4140002.jpg)
Then I gave them a good soaking with the watering can.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4140003.jpg)
I've popped the cloche back on again as I'm still worried that my cat might sit on them. And I expect that I'll be earthing them up once or twice more over the coming weeks.
G x
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Looking good Georgie. Swift by name and Swift by nature, eh? My Colleens, planted in the ground in late February, are not quite so advanced although I have earthed them up once.
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Looking good Georgie. Swift by name and Swift by nature, eh? My Colleens, planted in the ground in late February, are not quite so advanced although I have earthed them up once.
Thanks Hopalong. I've been told that Potatoes in containers tend to be a little bit ahead of those in the ground. If this is true then I might even win Corny's Potato challenge! ;D
G x
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Oooowww ark at Georgie with her competition winning spuds, ;) mine are coming along nicely ground and container spuds. ;D ;D ;D
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Looking good Georgie! My ones on the plot have appeared in the past week.
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just see this might try it next year
Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet
http://lifehacker.com/5202849/grow-100-lbs-of-potatoes-in-4-square-feet
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Hi, great thread.
I posted earlier, I'm growing some seed spuds in these:
http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=greenrecyclingbag.jpg
However I came home today and discovered my wife had a move around :-(
I'm just wondering how well the potatoes will respond to the moving. They've been in 4 weeks and coming up very well. I've earthed them up a few times. Just hope she hasn't damaged them.
I've other potatoes in builders buckets but obviously I won't get as good a crop out of these.
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Hi, great thread.
I posted earlier, I'm growing some seed spuds in these:
http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=greenrecyclingbag.jpg
However I came home today and discovered my wife had a move around :-(
I'm just wondering how well the potatoes will respond to the moving. They've been in 4 weeks and coming up very well. I've earthed them up a few times. Just hope she hasn't damaged them.
I've other potatoes in builders buckets but obviously I won't get as good a crop out of these.
Hi Mark.
I'm sorry but I don't know the answer to your question being a first time grower myself but my guess is that they will be okay although I should imagine it isn't really a good idea to move potatoes in non-rigid containers.
Yesterday I had to earth my potatoes up again. Here are the before and after pics. I couldn't earth them up quite as much as I would have liked because the shoots in the top left hand corner of the picture are about 10cm shorter than all the rest. ::)
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4190016.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4200032.jpg)
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Looking good G, I see you've got a bit of that Enfield Sun 8) shining on them. ;D ;D ;D
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Looking good G, I see you've got a bit of that Enfield Sun 8) shining on them. ;D ;D ;D
Thanks, Corny. Always sunny here innit? ;D ;D ;D
G x
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I'm impressed! On the plot all mine are now a few inches tall.
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I am really pleased mine are doing so well -------- so far :)
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few little questions on the old spud issue, ran out of room to earth up on one of my sets of spuds now so what happens, do they realise theres no more room and just focus on coming into flower now and growing the actual spud.
How do you know when the spuds are ready for picking if you cant see under the soil??
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Try and earth up into a point if that makes sense, or you could put a collar around it, if practical, earlies are generally ready when the flowers are in bloom but you can have a little ferkle around in the soil to see the state of play. ;D ;D ;D
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A little what Kev ::)
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A little what Kev ::)
I think he means 'furtle'. ;D ;D ;D
G x
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Sorry I ment Firkle, whats furtle Georgie a posh turtle. ??? :-\ :P ;D ;D ;D
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Sorry I ment Firkle, whats furtle Georgie a posh turtle. ??? :-\ :P ;D ;D ;D
I think they mean the same, Kev. ;D
G x
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Off topic I know but love the word - 'fircle'.
Blaster Bates used it in his hilarious monologues.
Spelling may not be correct but can anyone find the correct spelling? Cheshire dictionaries?
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ooh I say, now rather looking forward to having a little firkle in the garden when the sun is out, do i need to wear anything special for firkling???
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Mine had to be earthed up again today. There's scope to do this one more time before I run out of compost sack. Here are the before and after pictures.
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4250033.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P4250034.jpg)
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Thanks for the tip about the collar Kev, as soon as i read it I had one of those "Now why didn't I think of that" moments, off to chop up my old compast sacks right now
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When going out for a good old firkle Phoenix I tend to wear the stripy boxers I was sent on the A4A Christmas secret Santa. P.S. spuds looking great G. :o :P ;D ;D ;D :-*
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When going out for a good old firkle Phoenix I tend to wear the stripy boxers I was sent on the A4A Christmas secret Santa. P.S. spuds looking great G. :o :P ;D ;D ;D :-*
Thanks, Kev. I'm pleased with them so far. Will be needing tips on harvesting soon - don't want to get them all (said she hopefully) out at once. ;D
G x
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Hi. I'm new to this forum and fairly new to Veg growing - my second year. Having decided not to bother with potatoes in my tiny backyard a friend suggested I try growing a few in old tyres. So having collected a load of tyres from the local tip I've put them on a bricked area and filled them with wonderful compost from the Community Farm (where I work). I planted some Maris Peer (second earlies) on April 11th and they are just starting to appear. There are four piles of two tyres at the moment but as I earth them up I can add more tyres. Has anyone else tried this?
I've learnt a lot already from reading this thread. Being north of Glasgow we are a bit behind some of you, but we are on the warm west coast and the backyard is walled and is very sheltered and pretty frost free. I look forward to following the progress of all your spuds. :D
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Have heard about gtrowing in tyres but not seen/tried it myself, i'm growing in bags, would be very interested to see a pic once theyve got going i bet it will look great, good luck with that.
Right Kev i tell you trying to collar up with old compost bags is not as easy as it sounds, however after almost failing quite miserably i manged to pick the whole thing up and put it inside a bigger spud bag, plenty more earthing up room now ;)
Firklin in your boxers....................would my old mans Y fronts be ok i wonder :P
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As long as there not tooo clean, :o when I was picturing the collar I was thinking more of thick card around it, but it looks like you sorted it. ;D ;D ;D
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Final earthing up today. Here are the before and after pics.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Garden%20May%2009/P5010002.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Garden%20May%2009/P5010004.jpg)
There are no sign of any flowers yet so I won't be attempting to harvest just yet. And I'm not sure how I'm going to do that as I don't want to have all the potatoes at once. Any ideas?
G x
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I'm going to try splitting the bottom of the bag and eating my way up!
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Welcome to A4A Mister E ;D
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Swift do not normally flower so you will have to watch for the plant dying off or have a furtle inside as I say ;D
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Swift do not normally flower so you will have to watch for the plant dying off or have a furtle inside as I say ;D
Oh right, thanks for that. It's not easy to furtle in a container though is it? Unless someone knows different? ;D
G x
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I have found that with the containers I use (2 gal black buckets) it is possible to tip the whole plant out of the bucket very gently without disturbing the root ball. Most of the potatoes are usually growing right at the outside and are easily visible. If I think they are big enough to eat I harvest them, if not then the whole root ball is slid gently back into the bucket and left a bit longer.
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I am fascinated.
One of the experts on Gardener's Question Time said that earthing up increases the yield of second early and maincrop potatoes, but not first early potatoes. The only reason to earth up first early plants is to prevent the upper tubers from going green. According to him, 1st earlies only make one level of spuds.
Any thoughts on this?
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Hi, I'm new to all this forums and growing veg!
I am also growing Potatoes in bags, I do have room in the ground but thought it would be easier on my back!
I am going to try and grow some from seed Potaoes and some from sprouting Potaotoes from the kitchen to see what the difference is (as I have so many potatoes that sprout in my kitchen, I really should buy less or cook more!!)
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I am fascinated.
One of the experts on Gardener's Question Time said that earthing up increases the yield of second early and maincrop potatoes, but not first early potatoes. The only reason to earth up first early plants is to prevent the upper tubers from going green. According to him, 1st earlies only make one level of spuds.
Any thoughts on this?
I read that it a magazine the other week. I thought what a strange thing to say. If you have to earth up to stop your potatoes going green it doesn't matter if they are earlies or lates. If you don't earth up and half of your spuds go green then it is a waste of time surely. On large scale planting we plant our spuds underneath huge peaked rows of soil and never touch them again.
Georgie I have some in compost bags and intend to make little flap doors in the bags to take the spuds out of the side and make furtling easier.
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Georgie I have some in compost bags and intend to make little flap doors in the bags to take the spuds out of the side and make furtling easier.
That's a good idea. And will you tape the door up if the spuds aren't ready?
G x
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Looks like Georgies in a flap. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :-X
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welcome to the site, Sprouting out !! ;)
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Georgie I have some in compost bags and intend to make little flap doors in the bags to take the spuds out of the side and make furtling easier.
That's a good idea. And will you tape the door up if the spuds aren't ready?
G x
If you want to be really fancy you cut your flap and get some packing tape to make your flap about an inch longer and get some cheap velcro strips that you put one side on the bag and the other onto the tape.
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Think I might have mucked up my potatoes because I forgot to check this thread and thought I knew what I was doing.
I've earthed them up in the week but thought you had to completely cover the leaves with soil. :-[ I've a couple of leaves poking back through today on a couple of sacks but will I have ruined them all by now?
I must have put about 3-4" of compost over the top of each.
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Think I might have mucked up my potatoes because I forgot to check this thread and thought I knew what I was doing.
I've earthed them up in the week but thought you had to completely cover the leaves with soil. :-[ I've a couple of leaves poking back through today on a couple of sacks but will I have ruined them all by now?
I must have put about 3-4" of compost over the top of each.
That is the way I do it and have great success.
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Oh thank you, tattieman. :)
I was really upset I'd ruined them as its our first attempt. Back to being excited again now. ;D
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Don't worry, they're tough enough to survive it!
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Don't worry, they're tough enough to survive it!
At this time of year stopping a potato growing would probably take more effort than a few inches of soil :-)even a tiny one will send a sprout up a good foot or so.... I'm still finding and digging out ferals in my onion patch....
chrisc
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so what height is the minimum for any container you want to grow spuds in?
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so what height is the minimum for any container you want to grow spuds in?
I've read 30cm but that seems shallow to me.
Here are mine today - between 90cm and 120cm tall now. :)
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5080011.jpg)
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I bet that you can't wait to have a firkle, or furtle if you prefer, G! xx
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I bet that you can't wait to have a firkle, or furtle if you prefer, G! xx
Well it's very tempting but I don't know if I dare!
G x
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Go on G have a little firkle. :P ;D ;D ;D
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I reckon another two weeks!
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Go on G have a little firkle. :P ;D ;D ;D
Hmmm,you trying to wreck my chances of winning your challenge, Kev? ;)
I reckon another two weeks!
You said end of May last time Flighty!
G x
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Sorry G that's for mine! They say ten weeks and you planted yours mid March so this is week eight. xx
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I thought earlies were 14 weeks or is that just in the ground. ??? ;D ;D ;D
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Kev these are first earlies, second earlies are 13/14 weeks.
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Well, it was harvest time today. I cut a little door in the sack last weekend but couldn't seem to find anything with my tentative firkle. However I decided it was now or never as I really need the space they are taking up for summer crops.
First I moved everything else out of the way and laid the sack on its side.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5290012.jpg)
Then I slit the sack from top to bottom with a sharp knife and opened it up. The compost was damp all the way through.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5290014.jpg)
Moved the compost aside gently and things looked promising.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5290016.jpg)
And this was the full harvest - about four portions.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5290020.jpg)
The large potato top left was beginning to rot and was in no fit state. Nor were the other four in the next picture which were bascally yellow slime. Yuck! I'd be interested to know your thoughts on what happened to them.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Edibles/P5290017.jpg)
Conclusion
I cooked the smallest ones this evening and they tasted good although by no means the best new potatoes I've ever tried. At a cost of about £1 per portion they are by no means cheap to grow although it is nice to know they are completely chemical free.
Would I grow potoatoes in containers again in my small garden? No, I doubt it. It hardly seemed worth the effort or the expense. But it was fun. :D
G x
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are the manky ones the 'mummies' ?
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yes.... :)
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Georgie you must be a bit disappointed with that!
I'll be digging some of mine up over the weekend so you'll see how I got on. xx
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are the manky ones the 'mummies' ?
Sorry I'm new to this. Is this normal then? I thought it was a virus/pest?
G x
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yes the manky ones were the seed potatoes. this is very similar to what i have experienced every year with earlies but this the first year i'm growing maincrops and second earlies so it will be interesting to see if i will get better crops from them when i harvest later in the season.
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Well Flighty, I'm pleased I got something but yes, disappointed with the yield. I hope you do better. ;D
Thanks for the info re the 'mummies', Thifasmom, and it's interesting to hear that you have had similar poor yields with first earlies. Do let us know how you get on with your second earlies. :)
G x
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That is a shame Georgie, no wonder you are disapointed.
I will leave mine another week I think.
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I love the idea of growing in bags/sacks. We have some earlies and maincrops spread over four 4 x 8ft beds at the mo but I would love some more. Is it too late to plant more spuds and if not what variety should I go for? As for what would I grow them in I think black thick rubble sacks?
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ok, can you tell by lookingat your plant wether its time to have a little firkle, mine are flowering now, do i wait until all the flowers are dead???
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I have had some fun this year trying just one potato in a container, I have shown the stages on my blog spot and due to weather damage with the very strong wind damaging the foliage I emptied out today .You can see the results on my blog spot.
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7720/1001910e.th.jpg) (http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001910e.jpg)
I am also doing carrots and parsnips in containers
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Phoenix yes I'd wait until they've flowered.
Laurie what variety are they?
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Had a look at mine and they are just starting to flower - even the first earlies, which we werent sure if they would or not. So think I will leave them till the flowers die - is that correct ? So wont be tipping them out or having a firkle till then. Ooo, the waiting is killing me !! LOL It better be worth it !!
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ok, can you tell by lookingat your plant wether its time to have a little firkle, mine are flowering now, do i wait until all the flowers are dead???
our swift didn't flower, what type are your spuds, phoenix, earlies, seconds?
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Hosta I'd leave the first earlies another week then!
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hi all i came back from hols today to find my 4 bags of swift covered in greenfly and looking in a very sorry state so thought i may as well see what i had to save :-\ I also have some in the ground ::). I was happy to find 9lb of lovely spuds ;D.
Question is what do i do with all the spent compost and the stems (if that's what you call them?) can i compost or would them not be a good idea seeing as the greenfly was such a problem!!
so surprised how the garden has changed over the last two weeks while Ive been away i have a day of weeding and tidying up to do tomorrow then down the lottie the weekend hopefully to see how things are going on there.
Also i forgot to plant some Maris pipper i was given before i went away down the lottie is it too late?
Thanks Lucy
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Hosta I'd leave the first earlies another week then!
Flighty, thats the plan - maybe longer, depending on the flowers LOL
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When I went to start them I made a mistake and took a seed potato from the wrong tray so instead of an early variety they are Cara which is a main crop.
If you are deciding when to dig according to the flowers do remember that some varieties have been bred almost sterile so do not flower.
Phoenix yes I'd wait until they've flowered.
Laurie what variety are they?
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ok, can you tell by lookingat your plant wether its time to have a little firkle, mine are flowering now, do i wait until all the flowers are dead???
our swift didn't flower, what type are your spuds, phoenix, earlies, seconds?
Potatoes I have put in are Colleen, Robinta, Orla and Anya, earthed up over the labels hahaha so i dont know which tub has which spud, my first time so i think i can be let off
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Thanks for the advice on here...using info in post we built this...earthing up and putting more panels on today
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Have just eaten the first pots of the year ulsters earlies mmmmmmmmmmmm
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Hi All,
my first post (and very very novice gardener) so please be gentle! I am going to re work my way through this thread as I am certain there will be a lot of information for me to digest!
I wish I had taken more records of when I planted and I also wish I'd found this site before I had began but there's always next time!
My first results growing if anyone is interested!
http://www.milorambles.com/2009/06/21/potatoes-planted/ (http://www.milorambles.com/2009/06/21/potatoes-planted/)
I have another two bags not harvested as they are in better shape than the other one. I also planted some seeds potatoes in the garden and they are coming up nicely. Anyway, won't outstay my welcome on my first post!
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Hiya, warnie..welcome to a4a ;D
great crop of spuds there, bet they tasted brill ;D
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Welcome to A4A Warnie. They look good to me.
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What variety are (were) they? Looks really successful to me. And welcome to A4A Warnie
1066
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Hiya, warnie..welcome to a4a ;D
great crop of spuds there, bet they tasted brill ;D
Hi Manic, well I haven't eaten them yet - hope to enjoy a nice meal with them during the week!!! I think they are Robinta variety. Couldn't find Maris Pipers.
Thanks for the welcome guys!
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Gooday Warnie, great looking spuds. ;D ;D ;D
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Tipped out two tubs of tatties - a bit disappointed at the quantity.
1 kg of Charlotte and 1.5 kg of Pentland Javelin
Had some Pentlands tonight and they were delish !!
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Probably not watered enough... often my failing. In the ground they take moisture from a much wider area than the top of the tub.. :-\
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Had a quick rumage in my Orla bag and I found a potato at the top of the bag. It looks in great health but I don't know if I should dig up the rest of them now or leave them in.
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Take the ones that are easy to get at Warnie, enough for a meal, and give them a good watering and have another firkle next week and repeat, some peeps cut a flap at the side and tape back up. After a few meals they will be ready to tip out. ;D ;D ;D
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Take the ones that are easy to get at Warnie, enough for a meal, and give them a good watering and have another firkle next week and repeat, some peeps cut a flap at the side and tape back up. After a few meals they will be ready to tip out. ;D ;D ;D
thanks mate.
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Well I couldnt stop myself once I started!!! I have to say it was very exciting. The Orla's proved to be a better crop than the Robinta variety. I have updated my blog post with the latest info and pics if anyone wants to take a look. (scroll down to bottom three pics of the post).
Not sure if 3.2Kg or 7lbs is good from 3 seed potatoes ?
http://www.milorambles.com/2009/06/21/potatoes-planted/[/b]]http://www.milorambles.com/2009/06/21/potatoes-planted/ (http://[b)
I'm getting hooked!!
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I am growing Valor and International kidney in containers...I need to earth each up about another 6/8 inches BUT one is now flowering ....not sure which as split large wooden container in half and can't remember. Do I still earth up? (people who eartgh up in containers...do you use compost or garden spoil/compost mixed?