Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Easywriter on May 02, 2010, 10:13:38

Title: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: Easywriter on May 02, 2010, 10:13:38
Hello again - I was given some chitting potatoes, earlies, 'Estima'

All I've read and seen on the net says that earlies should be in end-March, maybe early April at the latest.

Here we are in May now, and they're still not in the ground [my new allotment finally became availiable yesterday, May 1st.

Could I still put them in, or would the best thing be to chuck them away (or add to compost bin)?

Thanks,
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: BarriedaleNick on May 02, 2010, 10:19:33
Just chuck them in the ground - early really just refers to how long they take to mature - you'll still get a crop..
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: goodlife on May 02, 2010, 10:20:19
Oh no ..don't throw them away..they'll do fine...
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: cornykev on May 02, 2010, 10:49:10
Stick em in they will be fine, I personally never put them on my compost heap as they start to sprout again, even my peelings go out with the council waste.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: Tee Gee on May 02, 2010, 14:54:13
My earlies went in about a week ago which is around the same time as previous years!

My 2nd earlies went in on thursday last!
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: gerkin on May 03, 2010, 18:07:46
just got some bargain bag of  maris bard 1st early a pound for a 2,5 k bag slightly soft is it still ok to use these?
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 03, 2010, 18:31:51
Yes. They get dehydrated as they grow, hence the shrivelling, but it doesn't matter. The old potato is just a food store which gets used up as the shoots grow.
Title: Re: More Potato Basics - too late for earlies?
Post by: gerkin on May 03, 2010, 21:40:09
nice one ;)