Allotments 4 All

I am a newbie getting ready to plant my seeds in containers.  Whilst I have managed to obtain my carrots, beetroots, parsnips, radishes and spring onions, I have been having difficulties getting hold of some first earlies potatoes and maincrop in small quantities.

I managed to get some Kestrel (2nd earlies) which I have chitting away ready for end of this month or possibly beginning april up here.

The question I want to ask is if it is too late to get any first earlies (swift preferably) as presumably doesnt leave much time for chitting (although some people say you can get away with not chittng).  As far as I understand, I dont need to chit maincrop, so it should be ok to buy now (if I can find any!)?

I keep planning out what I want to do and when, and then panic when I read other people have started.  Is my plan to plant the other veg I have at the end of march ok as I am in the north east and is still fairly cold here?

we sometimes take up some of the later potatoes as earlies..I wouldn't go and buy some tasteless ones when I can have my own  ;D

Shelle,

You should still be able to get 1st earlies, an excellent modern one for flavour is Lady Christl, otherwise I prefer the old ones, Red Duke of York, Arron Pilot, Home Guard and Duke of York.

The more modern ones are very earlier but (IMHO) lack the flavour of the oldies.

Don't worry too much about chitting. You're in Northumberland where it can be a bit chilly so get them as soon as you can, chit until the weather seems ok and then plant.

Keep a note of what you did so that next year you can improve (or do exactly the same if all goes well)

Best of luck!

Phil

Phil I have question about spud seed please.

I like a really floury  fluffy potato for baking but haven't been able to find one that is right.We used to grow Russet Burbanks but I don't think they are available here.I read last year that thecommercial growers can get them for trials only.

I also like a floury spud for mash.


We di grow others and are happy with them for their purpose but this is eluding me.

Tried Golden Wonder last year but no good.

I have a very good potato book that lists among other things the dry matter count, , it does say which country grows the different ones  to buy seed  but there are no sourcesshown,is there a place that has a complete list of the varieties I can buy here other than the usual seed catalogues, maybe I could find an alternative using both together.



Thank you, your spud topics have been excellent to read

XX Jeannine
Thank you Jeannnine

Jeannine

You've left it a bit late to get the ideal varieties many places have sold out of all but the "common" ones"!

The most floury potato I know of is Arran Victory, if you can't find it locally the organic catalogue has some left http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=274 (but not cheap)

or Tamar organics http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=4&typename=MAINCROP+POTATOES&prod=585 (even less cheap)

Heritage Potatoes http://www.heritage-potatoes.co.uk/shop.php?main_page=index&cPath=15_20&zenid=ea2b7517c21d97661784297e8d4d42a6

Charlton Park Garden Centre have a couple of 2.5kg nets left 01235 772700       

Otherwise Red King Edward or Edzell Blue from the same outlets plus Dobies (Edzell Blue) http://www.dobies.co.uk/pl_POTATOES_.htm - much cheaper!

Regards

Phil

Thank you Phil,I got 6kg from Tamar, a couple of the others were already sold out by the time I got to try.Thank you so much for your help,XX Jeannine

Have a look at Alan Romans' site:

http://www.alanromans.co.uk

His "Guide To Seed Potatoes" is well worth the money too!

Quote from: Pete the Plot on March 10, 2007, 18:47:07
His "Guide To Seed Potatoes" is well worth the money too!

And mine is only 50p at the Hamshire Potato Day - covers more varieties (150) and has just as much information about each variety!

Phil