Allotments 4 All

I've some Charlotte potatoes I bought quite late which I'm going to plant for a late early crop - if that makes sense? I'm going to put some in the ground and a few in tubs. They probably won't make it through blight season, but I'm going to try! The ones in tubs assuming they grow etc I'll leave in pots until Christmas, more probably New Year as I love roasties and mashed potato so much with Christmas dinner! The others I plan to crop as earlies as soon as they are ready.

I've grown some in August-September time but the weather does get a bit iffy hence planting in July and hopefully get them off to a flying start. They will be ready before winter but I think they should keep in good condition in slightly damp compost!

Anyone else planning on Christmas newies?

Just acquired some charlottes from the lottie shop which haven't been sold.  Also the lovely dustbins that my neighbours gave me have leaks in and no good for holding liquids.  Therefore I am going to saw off the bottoms and plant the spuds in and hopefully have a crop for Christmas.  Mind you I did try to grow Christmas spuds a few years back and the yield was small were titchy but my friend loved them.

LottieLou,i just drilled holes in the bottom of some plastic barrels I had that leaked,i put 5 pentland javelin in them in early October in the greenhouse last year,tipped them up Xmas eve,even though the haulms had died off,i got about 8lb of new spuds.i did add some pelleted chicken manure at the time of planting.

Quote from: daveylamp993 on July 14, 2013, 20:34:54
LottieLou,i just drilled holes in the bottom of some plastic barrels I had that leaked,i put 5 pentland javelin in them in early October in the greenhouse last year,tipped them up Xmas eve,even though the haulms had died off,i got about 8lb of new spuds.i did add some pelleted chicken manure at the time of planting.

Thanks daveylamp.  I also had dustbins with holes drilled in bottom but it was the devil of a job getting the contents out.  Found out if I removed bottom of bin could then just tip it up and poke the stuff out with a spade it was easier.  BTW how big were your spuds as the ones I grew in bags for Christmas were titchy.

My spuds were about the size of a tennis ball at the biggest with lots that were golf ball sized or slightly bigger,then quite a few tiny ones,don't forget to put the pelleted chicken manure in though,as I`m pretty sure that has helped increase crop size,i put about 1 handful in when I planted the seeds,then sprinkled about the same again after about 5 weeks and just tickled it into the surface of the compost,i did give them water about every 2 to 3 days when they were in the greenhouse.

Thanks daveylamp.  Will do.  Won't be able to get bins in GH though.  The borders are filled will oca surrounding the tommies at the mo and I try to harvest oca the week before Christmas.  Mind you its very hit and miss as I lost virtually all my stock a couple of years back to the freezing weather.

A bit later than planned, but I planted my Charlottes in the veg patch around the 21st and I planted up 3 large pots yesterday - fingers crossed 

I still have a tray of Charlotte ready to go but I thought it was way way too late, but I'm encouraged to have a go now.