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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Jitterbug on June 15, 2006, 11:52:10

Title: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: Jitterbug on June 15, 2006, 11:52:10
Hi there

I planted Foremost potatoes on 10 April in big containers. (one per 30cm pot)  The leaves are very sturdy and I now also have flowers.  It is now ten weeks - the recommended time to harvest them in.  But when I tried to dig around with my finger I could not feel any potatoes.  Is it safe to lift them now or should I wait until the leaves and flowers die completely?  I would hate to be to eager and lift them early and get nothing for all the work. ;D

This is the first year  I am trying potatoes and have also got Fir Apple, King Edward and a french variety (de la Fontenay??)

Any help will be appreciated.  Regards  Jitterbug
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: sandersj89 on June 15, 2006, 12:07:22
I grew the same variety this year, in post and in the ground. The pot planted I harvest at about 9 weeks when they were in flower and had a good crop of egg sized tubers.

Outdoor grown are not ready just yet but I planted very deep.

I would have a good dig down as they bore thier tubers at about the smae depth as the planted seed potato.

HTH

Jerry
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: Jitterbug on June 15, 2006, 15:03:59
Thanks again Jerry - I will go and have a root around - but they are outside so maybe I should wait a bit.

Jitterbug
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: Larkspur on June 15, 2006, 16:00:12
Hi Jitterbug, I planted my Foremost into the ground on 1 April and dug the first roots a couple of days ago. Very nice :D, but they could realy do with another couple of weeks.
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: saddad on June 15, 2006, 18:22:41
12-13 weeks is still the best guide to harvest time for first earlies, when you have had that long then worry or harvest....
;D
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: the wizards sleeve on June 15, 2006, 22:37:38
mine should be OK know they have been in since march 16th got flowers but no wilting yet i will have a look tomorrow
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: scotch-mist on June 16, 2006, 00:41:11
Don't worry Jitterbug,
I lifted one plant of my firsts a few days ago, just to see what was happening,
they were the size of marbles :(

I'm just going to leave them another month ;D

Have to say though,   the wee handful I cooked tasted great ;D
Title: Re: When to lift Foremost Potatoes?
Post by: Jitterbug on June 19, 2006, 10:00:00
Thanks guys

I have decided to leave them alone until next week-end and then I'm gonna eat them!! ;D  Ready or not!!

Jitterbug