Need your help – Potatoes in buckets…..

[MaryT]

My granddaughters ask me about growing potatoes, they are really keen. Not wanting to damped their enthusiasm I said 'yer, we can do that' thing is I have never grown them before.  ???

Thank you Georgie for your post, the photos have helped a great deal!!

The challenge is on ......   ;D ;D

Is it too late to plant Charlotte? They are chitted.

The potato fertiliser – I don't have any, can we use tomato feed? If so, when?

Any other tips would be great. I do so want them to have some success.

Thank you
Mary

[MaryT]

[Mowhay]

MaryT, You can plant your potatoes now they will be fine, Charlotte are a second early but this refers to the length of time they take to mature I believe. I use pelleted chicken manure for mine, and Charlotte taste great. Are you growing in the ground or pots?

[Mowhay]

Stupid last question .... should have read the heading properly sorry.  ??? Put about 4 inches of compost /soil on the bottom then the spuds and about 4 inches of soil/ compost on top. Remember to add more compost/soil as they grow until bucket full.

[MaryT]

Thank you Mowhay. When do you add the chicken pellets - in the first four inches only and/or every top up.
Mary

[Fork]

I had a few pellets at every top up.

[Barnowl]

... and don't let the soil dry out.

[Mowhay]

MaryT, as Fork suggests I add the pellets on top at planting and after every top-up and it is vital for a good crop to water well and often as Barnowl suggests, remember to put holes in the bottom of the buckets or you will end up with potato mush, just added that because I know someone who did it ?

[MaryT]

Sorry just got back.

Thank you all for your helpful advice.

Mary

[Georgie]

Hi Mary

Glad my other post has been of help to you. And now you have lots of good advice from experienced potato growers so let's hope your grandaughters get a good crop.   :)

Do let us know how they get on.

G x

[MaryT]

I will Georgie and thank you for your interest. You are right great advice.
Loved the photos fo your garden and the lawn, sorry path, made me smile.!
We are going to do update emails and photos and have a prize for the most spuds. Keeps their interest going and bit of fun.  ;D

[Georgie]

I will Georgie and thank you for your interest. You are right great advice.
Loved the photos fo your garden and the lawn, sorry path, made me smile.!
We are going to do update emails and photos and have a prize for the most spuds. Keeps their interest going and bit of fun.  ;D

Awww thanks.   ;D

It's lovely to get the children/grandchildren involved in gardening and many posters here do just that.  I think your idea of a competition is a good one and I'm sure they'll all get a prize one way or another - the most, the biggest potato, the funniest shape or whatever. 

As soon as it stopped raining I was outside with my grandaughter today.  She was two last month but she's just fascinated by the garden and loves to 'help'.  She's moved on from removing handfuls of gravel from my pots to collecting up the seed labels (lolly sticks as she calls them) then redistributing them willy nilly!   ;D

G x