Allotments 4 All

Ordered some seeds, overwintering onions, and 3 types of seed potato (Charlotte-salad, Kestrel-2nd early, and Nadine-also 2nd early) from Marshalls back in mid-October.

Surprised or what?

The seed potatoes arrived this morning!!!!!!

What am I now supposed to do with them until it's time to start chitting them? I know they can be planted in March, but surely November is a bit early for delivery? I was expecting them to arrive maybe mid-January.

I'd keep them as cold as possible without them getting frosted.  Also think I would keep them dark too until chits show and when they do let them have low light levels.  I would also contact Marshalls and tell them what you think and what you are doing - with the expectation that if it all goes pear shaped, they send replacements.

Interesting. I have just asked for and got my money back from the same firm when they told me my fruit trees would arrive late january/february from an august order...

Switched to Dean Nursery and ordered trees today and they are delivering the week after next. Result.

Ah well..

I have always bought good quality Scottish seeds potatoes but after the poor results this past 4-5 years I`m not bothering this year coming. I'm instead this next coming season I am  planting ordinary shop potatoes. My pal on another allotment site has been doing this for years with better results than what I have been having.

I would set them up ready to chit at once, I expect to get my seed potatoes next week and have the boxes ready. They need to be in full light cold but frost free, you will then get short firm sprouts. There were many items about this early this year and I put pictures of mine in the reports. Some people who use shop bought potatoes have been ordered to get them off allotment ground as it is a very doubtful thing to do.

Quote from: quizzical1 on November 29, 2007, 22:00:05
Ordered some seeds, overwintering onions, and 3 types of seed potato (Charlotte-salad, Kestrel-2nd early, and Nadine-also 2nd early) from Marshalls back in mid-October.

Surprised or what?

The seed potatoes arrived this morning!!!!!!

What am I now supposed to do with them until it's time to start chitting them? I know they can be planted in March, but surely November is a bit early for delivery? I was expecting them to arrive maybe mid-January.

Only 6 weeks after I normally get them (from Organic Catalogue) - but then T&M are always late?

Apologies for the small tubers of some - due to bad weather - & saying this won't affect the yield but plant them closer together so that the tubers do not get too big.
Can anyone figure that one??

In passing, thought this of interest. http://www.smallholder.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1799640.mostviewed.big_test_for_a_blighted_year_colin_randel_sees_how_sarpo_potato_varieties_have_been_put_through_their_paces.php

My order from Alan Romans arrived last week

Tim ,
   have you had the blight resistant collection too, they made the apologies for the Sarpo variety but my Cara's were even smaller.I've seen bigger eggs off Batam's, plus they didn't send the free ulster sceptre's until I contacted them . Said they send all the paid for items first then the free ones after but got them today and still waiting for another order.
think its a case of the left hand not knowing what the right ones doing.Certainly considering not using  T&M again

Yes - those were the ones that are so wee. But how can one read their comment above??

And the others are hugely uneven.