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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: TheEssexYorkshireman on August 28, 2009, 13:24:06

Title: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: TheEssexYorkshireman on August 28, 2009, 13:24:06
Hi all.

The haulms on my main crop (Desiree) are completely dead and have all but disappeared. Is it now the time to dig them up? I believe I read somewhere that once the haulms are dead the potatoes stop growing, is that right?

This weekend would appear to be particularly conducive to havesting my spuds as the skins to set well in the sunshine.

Thanks
TEYman
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: Trevor_D on August 28, 2009, 13:32:48
Mine are already lifted and stored. If you've got the time and the weather's right, dig them up.
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: saddad on August 28, 2009, 14:01:17
Some advise leaving them for a couple of weeks... but I just find that increases slug damage...   :-\
I always try to have them lifted and stored by this weekend...  :)
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: chriscross1966 on August 28, 2009, 16:36:21
I'll be pulling out a biggish load this weekend but I do have some (the experiment in builders bags) that are still alive though starting to die off now.... might have to have a bit of a firkle in there to see what I've got..... If I don' lift them  this weekend it will be at least three weeks before I do.... and I've got that weekend pencilled in for the squash/pumpkin harvest.... I've got 50 assorted to come out and they're not all small ones so I'm guessing 100Kg of winter cucurbits.....

chrisc
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: 1066 on August 28, 2009, 17:48:45
and there was me pottering along, unaware that I should / could crop all my main spuds! I've left mine in the ground after cutting back the foliage. So you all reckon its time they came out?
1066
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: Duke Ellington on August 28, 2009, 18:25:06
We dug up all of ours last weekend and had some beauties!! There was very little slug damage but I wouldn't have wanted to leave them in much longer. They are now in storage:)

Duke
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: caroline7758 on August 28, 2009, 19:36:29
I planted some in what was a bramble patch. Unfortunately, due tomy neglect it has reverted to a bramble patch again, albeit not so bad. I'll be digging the spuds with thick gloves on this weekend to see whether they have produced much.
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: TheEssexYorkshireman on August 28, 2009, 20:14:54
Thanks all this week end it is then!!

TEYman
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: chriscross1966 on August 28, 2009, 21:02:24
Quote from: 1066 on August 28, 2009, 17:48:45
and there was me pottering along, unaware that I should / could crop all my main spuds! I've left mine in the ground after cutting back the foliage. So you all reckon its time they came out?
1066

Depends what the slug situation on your site is like I guess, I've been pretty clear this year but I don't see any reason in feeding the ones that have survived....

chrisc
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: cornykev on August 29, 2009, 20:13:08
Get um out.    ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: 1066 on September 01, 2009, 07:06:14
Made a start on getting them out at the weekend (oo er  ::)) as per this thread. Just the Pink Fir to lift this week ....
So thanks for the timely post TEY !
1066
Title: Re: Main Crop Potatoes
Post by: TheEssexYorkshireman on September 01, 2009, 07:40:54
Well the weekend weather was glorious down here in Essex. Dug up my Desiree, not a bad crop but not as many as I'd hoped - 80lb from about 54 seed potatoes - so averaging 1.5lb per seed. All nicely dried off and in storage. Thanks for your help.

TEYman