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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: DrJohnH on February 09, 2018, 15:27:33

Title: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 09, 2018, 15:27:33
Hi Everyone. 

I have a 2 week window back in the UK coming up next week and want to order some seed potatoes, preferably by mail order. 

I'd like to chit the seed potatoes on a cool windowsill out of direct sunlight for a month and then return to the UK to plant them up in compost in tubs in late March.  My new to me plot is in North Derbyshire and totally unseen at this point (except photos) - hence the tub idea for the first year...

I'd like to try 2 varieties initially (maybe Sarpo Mira or Setanta and Charlotte or Kestrel) in ten 30 litre tubs (i.e. 5 tubs of each), so with 3 spuds per pot, I thinking that I need 15 seed potatoes of each variety.

So...

Do you think the the plan I have proposed above will work?

and

Who does everyone use as a supplier for their seed potatoes?

and

How many kg of seed potatoes would I need?

Thanks,

Dr. John
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: Plot 18 on February 09, 2018, 16:57:47
I think you'd be pushed to get delivery within your time scale, most on-line seed merchants take ages to deliver at this time of year :( - best to buy from a garden centre IMO.
Need about 1.5kg of each variety, I reckon - some G/cs sell by the tuber, some by number of tubers, and some by weight (fill a bag), so see what's around that best suits.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: Paulh on February 09, 2018, 21:51:51
Yes, my 5Kg of Kestrel produced 49 (large) seed potatoes, so 15 potatoes equates to 1.5 kg.

Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: Tee Gee on February 09, 2018, 22:11:54
I have always worked on six potatoes to the pound which if my sums are correct fits in with Paul's example.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: pumkinlover on February 10, 2018, 08:37:55
You could try JBA. They supply Chesterfield potato day.

Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 10, 2018, 09:27:12
Well, considering the options, I think I might send my long suffering mother to Marple Potato Day tomorrow to pick an order up so long as the snow is not too bad.

http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/potatoday.html (http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/potatoday.html)

 :toothy10:

 
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: Plot22 on February 10, 2018, 09:50:19
If you are in Derbyshire try Harrisons Garden Centre at Shirebrook. They have loads of choice I now always buy mine from there. Do not look for a phone number they will not reveal what it is for some reason but they have a big choice of potatoes in 2kg bags NOT LOOSE.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: cambourne7 on February 10, 2018, 17:34:29
We went to the East Anglia Potato day, Harriet very much enjoyed tasting chips made with some which may have swayed her decision on some of the spuds and the inability to find others did also guide our choice. There all still in the car at the moment and am knackered so will give you a list tomorrow :) But there was NO charlotes and NO Sarpo Mira from posts i have read there will not be very many of these about this year.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 10, 2018, 17:43:16
Thanks for the info- I have set up mum with second, even third alternative choices, just in case:

Potatoes 3 x 1kg Bags         

                        1st Choice   2nd Choice   3rd Choice
1st Kilo Bag   Sarpo Mira   Sarpo Axona   Setanta
2nd Kilo Bag   Charlotte   Wilja   Sarpo Blue Danube
3rd Kilo Bag   Kestrel   Pink Fir Apple   Sarpo Una
         
Shallots 1x 250g Bag         

           1st Choice                   2nd Choice   
250g Bag   Golden Gourmet   Red Sun   
         
Garlic 1 Bulb         
           1st Choice          2nd Choice   
1 Bulb   Solent Wight   Vallelado   
         
Onions 1x 250g Bag         
           1st Choice   2nd Choice   
250g Bag   Sturon   Stuttgarter   

We shall see...  new to all this so we will see how things work out...  It is all in the lap of the gods.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: cambourne7 on February 10, 2018, 18:17:31
Most potato days i have been to you buy potatoes by quantity not weight maybe give her an idea of how many you expect as well :)

Thanks for the info- I have set up mum with second, even third alternative choices, just in case:

Potatoes 3 x 1kg Bags         

                        1st Choice   2nd Choice   3rd Choice
1st Kilo Bag   Sarpo Mira   Sarpo Axona   Setanta
2nd Kilo Bag   Charlotte   Wilja   Sarpo Blue Danube
3rd Kilo Bag   Kestrel   Pink Fir Apple   Sarpo Una
         
Shallots 1x 250g Bag         

           1st Choice                   2nd Choice   
250g Bag   Golden Gourmet   Red Sun   
         
Garlic 1 Bulb         
           1st Choice          2nd Choice   
1 Bulb   Solent Wight   Vallelado   
         
Onions 1x 250g Bag         
           1st Choice   2nd Choice   
250g Bag   Sturon   Stuttgarter   

We shall see...  new to all this so we will see how things work out...  It is all in the lap of the gods.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 10, 2018, 18:27:09
This is the event

http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/varieties.html (http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/varieties.html)

We will see...
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: cambourne7 on February 10, 2018, 18:30:23
Ah well thats ok then :)

This is the event

http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/varieties.html (http://www.marpleallotments.org.uk/varieties.html)

We will see...

Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 11, 2018, 17:20:36
Managed to get all my first choices- thanks Mum! 

Apparently it was very busy- it's a shame I did not get to go.  Maybe next year...
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: Paulh on February 11, 2018, 21:49:18
Your Mum is well trained. Do you offer tutorials?
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: pumkinlover on February 12, 2018, 08:41:14
Please check the sarpo Miro there have been problems with it.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: saddad on February 12, 2018, 15:46:14
Have I missed the Chesterfield day? Was out at the weekend but couldn't find any Epicure...
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: cambourne7 on February 12, 2018, 16:40:49
Managed to get all my first choices- thanks Mum! 

Apparently it was very busy- it's a shame I did not get to go.  Maybe next year...

Great News xx
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: pumkinlover on February 12, 2018, 17:52:06
Sorry Saddad yes. They have a good selection left at the community garden and selling off cheap. I can ask if they have Epicure do you still work in the area ?
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: saddad on February 13, 2018, 14:40:52
I'm back in Sheff for 6 weeks from end of Feb... if they have some 3kg would be great but if only 10 tubers I'd still like some....
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: pumkinlover on February 13, 2018, 19:56:09
Sorry David, if you look on the Transition Chesterfield website it says what is left. No Epicure.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: DrJohnH on February 13, 2018, 21:55:02
Maybe this helps

http://www.brighterblooms.co.uk/potato-days/ (http://www.brighterblooms.co.uk/potato-days/)

I don't know their venues or availability  though.
Title: Re: Seed Potato Suppliers (Mail order)
Post by: cambourne7 on February 13, 2018, 22:26:22
I bought
Second Early – Yukon Gold, Anya,
Early Main – Red Emmalie, Setanta, Maxine, Violetta, Rattie, Blue Belle, Carolus, Sarpo Kifi
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