Potatoes

[teresa]

I was given some sets late and told they would be ok by Nov.
Which they are lovely spuds, now how long can I leave them in the ground OH likes them fresh out of the ground.
Can I cover them? from frost, they are sill earthed up?
tops have died down and withered so ready to lift.
OH would like fresh spuds for Xmas dinner any ideas welcome.

[teresa]

[triffid]

Frost's not so much of a problem; you can cover the ground with straw or a good thick layer of another mulch.

Your real enemies are the wet and slugs. Spuds left in the ground now are a very tempting target for slugs (especially the little uns that live actually in the soil rather than on its surface) and once slug-damage has been inflicted, the spuds are much more vulnerable to rotting in wet soil.

My vote would be to lift them unless you live somewhere mild and dry-ish...

But wait to see what others think. The beauty of A4A is the diversity of wisdom you find here!

[saddad]

I would lift them, on my wet, heavy clay it would be cajun Potato skins all the way......
::)

[Merry Tiller]

Many maincrop potatoes flavour improves after lifting and storing

[teresa]

Thanks for the advice soil is light not clay but will lift most of them hope we get some good weather this week?