I planted my first lot of spuds (charlottes) on 17 March. When should I start checking if there's anything to harvest?
And I planted my first earlies on 31 March. When might they be ready?
The books very (un)helpfully say 13-20 weeks. But don't say how long for 1sts and 2nds.
Aqui, I harvested my first yesterday, just couldn't wait any longer and pulled up a plant, just to check, and there they were, delicious little jewels! (I LOVE potato harvesting, just like archeaology!) Needless to say they were washed, put in the pan for 10 mins, with a sprig of mint,(they seem to cook faster when so fresh) and then cos it is the first, covered in butter! YUM!!!
Mine were Lady Cristl planted under cloches on the 15th March.
Most say to dig around to find the pots rather than pull up the whlole plant, but I had a bit a a what the hey moment yesterday! ;D
When the plants flower is usually a good indication of when the tubers are suitable for harvesting although not all types will actually produce them. As new potatoes do not store well, it's best to harvest as you need them.
Aqui - I would have thought that your Earlies might be producing something about now. Have a feel! Don't dig yet. You're looking for small ones at first.
2nd Earlies are often not ready till August. Have a feel if you get itchy fingers. But there's no need to rush them - they'll stay in the ground till you're ready. A nice salad variety.
Just checked - Chalotte can be ready end June.
We usually have a little rootle round in the soil to see what we can find without actually digging the plant up.
thanks all.
I shall maybe have a look at the firsts at the weekend. I bought some jersey's from the farm shop that'll last us this week.
I shall try not to get too excited.
Aqui,
The 13 - 20 weeks covers 1st earlies to late maincrop.
90 days is "average" for 1st earlies so you're probably a bit premature for Charlotte but the 1st earlies are worth a gentle look
Phil
I shall have a poke around my first earlies middle of next week as my mum is coming to stay and she has some lovely gressingham duck breasts for me to cook in the smoker so a bowl of freshly dug new pots would go down a treat!
Strange coincidence?? ('.....I'm bored'))
Quote from: Sprout on June 02, 2005, 12:31:49
When the plants flower is usually a good indication of when the tubers are suitable for harvesting although not all types will actually produce them. As new potatoes do not store well, it's best to harvest as you need them.
Can someone help please ? Do Pink Fir Apples produce flowers ? Mine were planted on 15 April and I'm unsure when to harvest. Thanks in anticipation
Pete
Pinks fir apples are maincrops I believe, so won't really be ready for digging until very late summer. They should flower, eventually.
Very. Sept - Oct!
Late maincrop; give them plenty of time. They will flower, like any other potato.
Had my first complete homegrown dinner yesterday apart from the leg of Lamb, freshly dug Red Duke of York spuds with a few sprigs of Spearmint, the first picking of Broad Beans, baby Carrots and the last of the Spring Cabbage. Desert was Rhubarb crumble with my Wife’s world-beating custard and it was all washed down with a bottle of home made plonk.... fantastic, I just love it when the new stuff starts coming in
The spuds are highly recommended by the way, a chestnutty flavour like old fashioned ones