I Thought it could be a good idea to try and clear an area of our newly-taken over plot with potatoes. I should be able to clear the area of weeds this weekend. Could anyone suggest anywhere that would still sell seed potatoes at this time? Obviously I realise it is late but would maincrop potatoes be ok?
I think you'd be hard pressed to find any, but you could try the big garden centers that have high prices as they are the last to sell purely due to price. At the weekend I saw someone buying shallots from my local Nottcuts - don't know how they think they'll grow this time of year.
I only planted my Pink Fir Apple last week. I plant 'em late so they crop late and last over the winter. (I also plant 1st earlies in March to crop in June to provide a continuous supply without filling the garage).
Also, if your plot was covered with grass, it'll also be full of wire-worms and underground slugs. As they don't have the grass to eat anymore, they'll chose your potatoes instead.
Potatoes would not be my first choice this time of year !
My local Wyevale (Hastings) has loads of seed potatoes left - all at half price at the moment...
They're pretty well-chitted now (as you might expect), but you might get some joy from them?
T&M sent me an e-mail on Monday saying they have a lucky dip, 3x20 tuber packs for £5.99 but it looks like sold out now. :-\
http://potatoes.thompson-morgan.com/product/zww9605/1
One of our local garden centres had bags of MC seed spuds for 99p a bag last week. It seems a bit late - but, you never know unless you try.
As you are only trying to clear some ground and if you can't get any 'seed' potatoes you could use some of last years maincrop from a greengrocer.
The return on them might not be as great as seed potatoes but you will get some plus you will clear the ground!
try morrisons if you have one near as most of there potatoes are just about to sprout because of the way they are stored.
One of our lotty holders did this last year and he got a good crop.
Quote from: More courgettes? on May 17, 2007, 11:06:17
My local Wyevale (Hastings) has loads of seed potatoes left - all at half price at the moment...
They're pretty well-chitted now (as you might expect), but you might get some joy from them?
Wyevale in London has them heavily reduced as well - are there any branches up north?
Homebase have a half price selection of seed potatoes at the moment which include; Desiree, Pink Fir Apple, Kestral and Charlotte.
Quote from: Deva Duke on May 17, 2007, 17:50:03
Homebase have a half price selection of seed potatoes at the moment which include; Desiree, Pink Fir Apple, Kestral and Charlotte.
I think Pink Fir are the only main crops in that list. I've certainly got away with planting them late.
we have a wyvale about 15 mins away so I will try there on sat :) The area is nearly 100% bindweed so I will just take the time to pull the roots out and hope for the best!
Quote from: Barnowl on May 17, 2007, 17:53:38
Quote from: Deva Duke on May 17, 2007, 17:50:03
Homebase have a half price selection of seed potatoes at the moment which include; Desiree, Pink Fir Apple, Kestral and Charlotte.
I think Pink Fir are the only main crops in that list. I've certainly got away with planting them late.
Desiree and Pink Fir Apple are ‘maincrop’ I believe, the other two are ‘second early’ I think that’s right?
Quote from: cambourne7 on May 17, 2007, 12:28:09
try morrisons if you have one near as most of there potatoes are just about to sprout because of the way they are stored.
One of our lotty holders did this last year and he got a good crop.
remember the big debate about shop bought spuds and disease - this may be banned by your association and your contract may be terminated
And what a good debate it was, LOL
Quote
Desiree and Pink Fir Apple are ‘maincrop’ I believe, the other two are ‘second early’ I think that’s right?
Sorry - quite right, Desiree are main crop.
Pink Fir is a late Main... it doesn't start producing tubers until the nights draw in... but produces lots of top growth... up to 6' is not uncommon...
;D
Quote from: saddad on May 18, 2007, 16:49:14
Pink Fir is a late Main... but produces lots of top growth... up to 6' is not uncommon...
;D
:o :o :o really?!?
http://potatoes.thompson-morgan.com/product/zww5013/1
these are about the only ones I could find on the web
would they be ok?
I tried wyvale this morning with no luck. We don't have a homebase near us but I will see if they do ordering online.
doh they are out of stock too and no ordering via the web for homebase.
You could try www.alanromans.com (http://www.alanromans.com)
Sparkly: your inbox is full!
please let me know if you got your spuds OK, posted last wednesday ;)
Thompson and Morgan seem to have a few varieties left....just browse carefully through their potato pages....the odd one is still available.. :o....including Sarpo Mira, Desiree and a few "exhibitor grade" varieties.
I tend to plant my potatoes in containers in small batches from spring through to mid-summer....that way I get a steady supply of ultra-fresh potatoes over a long period. As our household consists of just my 4 year old son and me....this suits us perfectly. ;D
I'm just about to plant out 'crop 3'. I'll do at least one more....as I always have the option of putting them in the greenhouse for a bit of extra TLC. ;)
Good luck with the potatoes