I have grown spuds for the past three years - never had any problems. This year I have planted 2 rows of charlotte and a row of valour. Most of the valour have grown but look very poor and I'm not expecting much underneath. The Charlotte are even worse and there are large gaps in the rows. A few valour have been grown in bags by mum in law and haven't cropped. Any idea what could be the problem - soil? some kind of pest? duff seed potatoes. Onions grown nearby have also been poor but a row of sprouts in between look fine. There was a little frost after I planted but there was no top growth at that stage.
Like you Andrew I have had a bad onion year and not very good with spuds I am putting it down to lack of water.
First year having an allotment and I thought I would have more potatoes per seed potato than I got. I read the books and thought to myself Great! I won't have to buy any spuds after first earlies. Well I got more marbles and a hand full per seed potatoes bit disapointing really. I'm hoping my main are going to be ok.
I have been checking on all my potatoes, including maincrop, and they are all reduced this year, presumably due to the dry weather. I believe the farms have suffered similarly, so it is not down to individual knowledge or skills.
I thought the weather could be a factor they are at the top end of a plot on a bit of a slope so its dry and then we have had the hot weather. Spuds on other plots look fine so maybe the soil needs a bit of a boost - probably a combination of factors. Ah well bumper fruit crop this year.
Curry - well done on the marathon I did London this year.
Thanks Andrew, well done yourself. I have managed to raise over £400 so far and money is still coming in!
Good luck I found collecting sponsorship harder than running.
Most definitely !
I've only dug my Epicure, Red Dukes and a row of Foremost... all on the top allotment.. very poor yield, probably too dry.. others like Anya have died back but the Picasso and Eddies are still going on the bottom plot which is a much damper site!!!! keeping my fingers crossed.
:'(
I'm relieved to hear it's not just me who had a poor crop.
My foremost potatoes were ok, considering it was grown in no-dig method. I dug Pentland Javelin the other day and was very disappointed. Got only about 6 portions from a 4m row.
Other potatoes (Maris Peer, Anya, Pink Fur Apple) don't look promising either. Most have died down very early and I didn't even see them flower. :(
Let's hope we all get a good crop next year! :)
Our earlies & early maincrop were poor this year, 12-15 per plant instead of 20-25.
Just for the hell of it, dug a Cara plant today. Haulms 3' tall & still in flower, so well off their full term.