Allotments 4 All

Hi All,

When would be the right time to be planting out my potatoes?  I have Charlotte (second early) and Cara (main crop).  The Cara have shoots about 1/2 - 3/4", the Charlotte's are about 1/2".  I have them laid out in plant trays and egg boxes by the back door where it's cooler.  By the way, I live in Hertfordshire.

Thanks!

My 1st earlies went out at the weekend... i plan on putting my 2nd earlies out in 2-3 weeks. Hope that helps but im sure someone will come along in a minute to correct me lol.

Quote from: OliveOil on March 13, 2007, 21:46:20
My 1st earlies went out at the weekend... i plan on putting my 2nd earlies out in 2-3 weeks. Hope that helps but im sure someone will come along in a minute to correct me lol.

Bloomin heck your early - i normally wait another month before sticking in my earlies. If you get a late frost you'll be shafted, unless you cover them over and so long as there not too big to be covered over... The last few years i think weathers been mild very early - which means you "could" plant them early. My allotment nieghbour planted early last year - but then lost loads of spud due a single night of frost in mid May - which is'nt really that late for frosts.

Im planting my spuds over Easter holidays

When you're good & ready, PJW - & when the soil is workable. Remember that you will later have to earth up, so you don't want a trodden down mud path.

Just cover with fleece, or have it to hand against frost.

Isn't it traditionally St Patrick's day? This coming weekend, then.  ;D

I posted this a few days ago and it still holds true;

Regarding planting out potatoes I view them this way;

You can plant them as early as you like but they will probably just sit dormant or even rot if the ground is too wet/cold.

If they do grow then the problem is the tops might get frosted when they emerge, meaning all that you hoped for by planting out early is lost.

If you still go ahead and plant out early don't earth up until they emerge then you can use the earthing up to protect them.

If this is still not enough protection get the fleece at the ready.

I wont plant my earlies out till around 23rd April and I bet I am eating potatoes nearly as quick as someone planting out today.

Patience is the order of the day!!

Quote from: OliveOil on March 13, 2007, 21:46:20
My 1st earlies went out at the weekend... i plan on putting my 2nd earlies out in 2-3 weeks. Hope that helps but im sure someone will come along in a minute to correct me lol.

I have done the same as OliveOil  :D

... the early earlies I have planted into jumbo flower pots at home.  Lady Chrystals.  The next batch will go to the plot in the usual way  ;)

Soil is dry and workable for the first time in yonks... i have plenty of path soil to earth up and i have fleece to cover over should it get frosty again.  Wish me luck!

I thought the tradition was Good Friday (just because that was the first holiday of the year for most working people)but since the date moves every year it doesn't make much sense!

ours have been in for a week, covered over , will earth up when they're through and re cover if there's going to be a frost  :)
each to their own way  :)

I planted a bucket of Rocket (one seed potato) a few weeks ago and left it in the greenhouse.

Its growing really well.

Planted another one tonight and also placed in the greenhouse.  Unheated btw  ;)

Planted my first early - Aaron pilot, and 2nd early - Kestrel at the weekend. Gote late & late main to go in at easter: verity, cara, desiree & pentland crown

According to the BBC, it's going to snow down here on Monday, with a min. of 1 and a max of 5. That's pretty cold and sufficiently prolonged to penetrate the top cm or so. And this is the sunny South. Shan't be putting my spuds in until they might grow (although I have one in a box/bag combo that comes in when less than 4 is forecast).

Hi

I was going to plant mine out over Easter, is it a good idea to put grass cuttings in beforehand?

QuoteI thought the tradition was Good Friday (just because that was the first holiday of the year for most working people)

I always found Easter too early but Whitsuntide OK for the same reason (hols) now they have done away with this holiday so if I worked, I guess I would use May day now.

Where have I read that you can put your spuds in when it is warm enough to drop your trousers and park your bum in the soil?

Planted out my 1sts two weekends ago, the ground now is very workable with the sun we have had lately, its dry and cracked on the surface and turns over just nice. ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Chantenay on March 15, 2007, 16:38:01
Where have I read that you can put your spuds in when it is warm enough to drop your trousers and park your bum in the soil?

Naturists Weekly?

Just checked the weather websites for us & with predictions of -6/7 overnight I think I will leave it for now :-\