Topic: Potatos

[Cuke]

Quick question... Having never grown potatos before I'm a little stuck...
I lobbed a couple of old spuds I found down the back of the fridge into the ground back in the spring on the off chance they'd grow, and they have. In fact they seem to have done really well. I just have one problem, how do I know when they're ready to dig up? some of the leaves are starting to turn yellow'ish so I'd guess they're coming to the end of their growing cycle. Can I tell from looking when they're ready or is it a case f having a little dig around?

thanks :)

[antipodes]

wow I would have said that it was quite late for the spuds to still have their foliage? But yeah normally the foliage will yellow and die off after flowering and once it has died the spud are ready. But you can dig a little into the soil near the base of the plant and see if you can feel any spuds. If you grab hold of any you can just pull them away and out. If they are of a good size, then I guess they are ready!!

[tim]

Good advice. But, if they happened to be earlies, they could well be past their prime.

Don't be too disappointed.

[SnooziSuzi]

being new to this I now need to ask a stupid question....  if they are earlies, what would be the result of having left them in the ground too long?

[saddad]

They tend to grow too large, many develop hollow heart... they loose their flavour... some varieties, especially the older ones make passable mains..
 :-\

[Cuke]

but... if they were earlies wouldn't the leaves etc have died down ages ago?

perhaps I should dig them up now just to be sure?

[cornykev]

Early leaves would most certainly have died off be now but it wont harm to have a firkle about, if they look big enough then use and store them.   ;D ;D ;D

[Normie]

They tend to grow too large, many develop hollow heart... they loose their flavour... some varieties, especially the older ones make passable mains..
 :-\

Just to say that I am still digging my first earlies (planted too many)! The foliage died off weeks ago. I've  only got a couple of plants left. These were Arran Pilot and even though they have been in the ground so long, they are still delicious! Of the 40-odd plants dug so far, not a single potato has been diseased or nibbled by slugs! I'll definitely be planting these again next year.

Cheers,
Ian

[Hot_Potato]

I only planted a few potatoes - Nicola - 2nd earliers and am still digging them up as I need them. Foliage has all gone now, just the dry sticks being evident.....they're the very best tatties I've ever grown - not a blemish on them (and I've had awful scab in the past with some varieties) most are good size but some little ones too :P which look sweet on the plate!

Still got 4 more roots to dig sometime but will store them in thick paper bags until I need them (somewhere indoors - don't have anywhere else ???