Potato Chitting, is it a necessity?

[Hector]

My earlies are due to get to me Tuesday...so ok to plant without chitting?

[lincsyokel2]

Chitting tates is one of those subjects where everyone has a view and no one can prove its beneficial or not. I chit mine, so i can make sure there planted right way up. Farmers dont chit them, and they produce millions or tates every year. Also, if you chit them you can start them a bit earlier.

[Hector]

Thanks, I did wonder how on earth commercial people did it :) I chitted last year but didnt try earlies. I'm getting my earlies...but getting them now (bit late) So wondered if when I get them I bother with chitting or just bung em in?

[Pesky Wabbit]

Earlies benefit, but only in that they are in growth a few weeks before its warm enough to put them in the ground.

By not chitting they will just need that bit longer in the ground.

I chit my earlies so the get a chance of growth before Blight hits them.

Main crop dont benefit at all as they are in the ground for so long anyway, whats a few extra weeks. Most farm produced crops are main crop