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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Zoglet on February 01, 2007, 17:36:10

Title: Potatoe Planting
Post by: Zoglet on February 01, 2007, 17:36:10: Hello

Can any one tell me how early I can start to plant my chitted potatoes. The books all say "early spring" (whatever that is) - does anyone have a more workable date?

ta muchly!

Zoglet
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: cornykev on February 01, 2007, 17:46:57: I will plant mine Feb/Mar if the soil is workable just wait for the last frosts to pass, but it will depend where you are in the country, I am in London so start a bit earlier. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: OliveOil on February 01, 2007, 17:51:59: Well we in Sth Lincs have decided spring has started. I will prob plant mine out end of feb. We hvae only had about 3 hard frosts all winter and even they didnt last all day. My soil is very workable at the moment.
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: Blue Bird on February 01, 2007, 17:52:23: Hoping to plant mine out in about 6 weeks - I live in the North West (Liverpool)
it seem that potatoes take about 6 weeks to chit ???
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: Zoglet on February 01, 2007, 18:01:53: Thanks for the info.

I am in Berkshire and it is VERY mild here at the moment, but I guess I will wait a few more weeks before I get stuck in ( can't wait!). :)
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: tim on February 01, 2007, 18:32:16: PATIENCE!!

Have I said that before??
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: kt. on February 01, 2007, 22:43:02: I wont plant mine before March
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: kenkew on February 01, 2007, 23:33:01: Quote from: tim on February 01, 2007, 18:32:16
PATIENCE!!

Have I said that before??

Sound advice.
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: Merry Tiller on February 02, 2007, 08:34:51: March-April-May = Spring
June-July-August = Summer
September-October-November = Autumn
December-January-February = Winter

Therefore early Spring = March
Traditionally first potato planting day is Good Friday, I will start on St Patricks day as usual
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: growmore on February 02, 2007, 09:29:00: Here is what I was learned as a guide to sowing tatties and it seems to be a tradition around here by some including myself That is rigidly stuck to ..
First earlies on or around St Patricks day !7th March ...
maincrop and second earlies on or around Good Friday ,
If soil, weather conditions don't allow, as near to these as you can afterwards .
But never berore ... :)
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: philcooper on February 03, 2007, 18:36:53: Quote from: Merry Tiller on February 02, 2007, 08:34:51
March-April-May = Spring .........

Spring is when the eather is Spring-like ie almost any time of the first half of the year depending on, weather, hieght above sea level, type of soil.

If there are any local gardeners ask them when they plant in your area.

If not try a few a fortnight or so apart starting mid Feb (note down what you did and what the weather was like like) to end of March for 1st earlies, that way on batch should be right. Next year you have a chance of getting it right for all of them.

Phil
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: cornykev on February 03, 2007, 21:21:38: Tim is right be patient but I feel there will be quite a few jumping the gun, I've said it before old mother nature is playing tricks on you , plant and the frosts will come . Last year I seem to remember we were at least two to three weeks behind advised planting, so heed Tims advise. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Potatoe Planting
Post by: Barnowl on February 05, 2007, 10:44:46: Peter - a bit of a guru on our allotments and of the seriously raised bed persuasion - has just put in his first earlies. Does it at this time every year apparently.