Quite a few of our spuds are coming out like this.They haven't been grown in stony ground and there are no roots to get in the way of them. Could it be the weather we have had this season?
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/shirlton/2012-09-04080204.jpg)
I've always thought that was one of two reasons... irregular watering (unlikely given the summer we've had) or early damage by slugs healing, I'm tending to the latter...
i've had the same on mine too, but only the odd one or two tubers but v. slight tho' (not as deeply grooved as yours, shirlton). i wasn't sure what it was as it looks as tho' they've been 'cut'/dented by a spade at the time when i was earthing them up. it's my 2nd year growing potatoes and given the lack of problems with last year's yield, maybe chris is right about the slug idea (altho' i've had a couple of rotted ones and v. small holes in mine this time round). ::)
These are Growth Cracks caused by uneven growing conditions, usually good growing conditions following a poor spell,especially later on in the growing season. It can be worse if the plants are widely spaced. They are regarded as "faults" by commercial growers and are picked out prior to sale. They are quite safe to eat , and as no pathogen is involved, they store well and can be planted the following year, if so desired.
Snap - mine did this as well..
Caused by moisture levels fluctuating, excess nitrogen in the soil can also be a contributary factor, as can fluctuating temperatures!
So I guess we have had all three this year dry/wet spells, rainwater can carry lots of nitrogen and the temperatures have also been a bit up and down!
At least they should be edible even if they are a bit more difficult to peel!
More than can be said for some other stuff that definitely didn't like the weather!
Thanks for all of your input. Glad to know that some of you are having the same problem. We are eating them but like Tee Gee said they are more difficult to peel.
Not many this year but did get a few last year, just give them a good scrub and use as jackets Shirl,thats what I did. ;D
Ive had this too, as well as small holes bored into some of 'em. My crop this year has tishe - had to throw a third of them away and the rest were of no real size! ::) Bloody weather!
Fingers crossed for better growing conditions next year! ;D
My Kestrel were superb again this year. I started digging up my Cara at the weekend and sadly they're very much on the small size.
TEYman
I've had a lot like that this year, never before. I think it's the growing conditions, particularly moisture, as I've not had much slug problems with my potatoes (they have been too busy eating everything else).