Allotments 4 All

Dug up our first extra early today (Swift). Didn't know if there would be anything there!!!!-Just enough for tea--Yummy. First potatoes we have ever grown. Thx for all the help from allotments4all.

when did u plant them?

Mid February under plastic cloches--thought the frost would get them but just had a few damaged leaves and have all recovered now.

From memory Swift are ready about 10 weeks after emerging through soil so allowing for it being a bit cooler you have done it in around 12-13 weeks.

Well done!! enjoy them!!

My swift and Rocket went in the Poly on march 19th but not anywhere near ready yet.... were quite slow in coming through, but growing well now. Have some other varieties in big plastic tubs, Mimi, Ballydoon and Snowdrop....
;D

The wife has just had them for tea--she allowed me a small one!!--absolutely beautiful-just melted in the mouth.Next time i'm having the biggest portion!

how do u kknow when new spuds are ready to harvest, planted at end of march, know they wont be ready until june but any help would be nice:o)

I think you can harvest extra earlies just after they have flowered--thats what we have done, most were a fair size (just a bit bigger than a golf ball) although some were a little smaller-I think we will probably leave the rest for a couple of weeks to grow slightly, we just couldn't wait to have a look today.

Quote from: Philbasford on May 11, 2006, 17:33:11
how do u kknow when new spuds are ready to harvest,

Rather than digging a root up to find that the tubers are rather small, it is better to clear the soil away from the base of the plant to expose the tubers, if you find they are too small cover them up again, and allow them to grow on for another few weeks.

We were going to do that but then the excitement got to us!!

You can cheat an

Quote from: Tee Gee on May 12, 2006, 15:14:16
[Rather than digging a root up to find that the tubers are rather small, it is better to clear the soil away from the base of the plant to expose the tubers, if you find they are too small cover them up again, and allow them to grow on for another few weeks.

And if you find a few nice sized ones, you can quietly take them out for an early supper before earthing up again ;D

I have a strong rubble sack planted with three Swift tubers. The haulms are already two feet above the 80 cms or so height of the sack. The haulms are kept tidy by using four bamboo poles stuck down the sides as the sack was earthed up and I used garden twine to keep it all looking neat and tidy. They were planted on 15 March so another week or so and I shall have to make a hole about half way down the sack to get my hand in to feel around for hopefully enough potatoes to make a meal for two. Can't wait ;D.

Tricia

slowly and in English please .......... haulems ???

???

(potato haulms (foliage) may be composted in a good active heap). Copied from another source.

geddit?   haulms, foliage, stems - whatever ::)

Tricia

gotcha !  i could have googled, but i'm 4 cans down.

cheers !

;D