Planting potatoes

[Karen2005]

I've got some potatoes (not sure what variety) left over from my organic veg box. They've gone a bit soft and have started to sprout.

I was considering having a go at growing my own spuds this year in my garden. Is there any reason why I couldn't plant these out or do I need to get special potatoes for chitting?

[chairobyx16]

No reason why not give a it go, if recently bought theyre probably a late variety but can still produce a crop.Best of luck.

[Clanad]

Certainly go for it... if you haven't been told, you don't plant the whole potato, only one of the eyes. Use a sharp knife and cut the eyes out with a goodly portion of the potato. That's the part of the potato that has sprouted in your example.... plant them about 6 to 8 inches down and about 14 to 18 inches apart... we like to hill ours here in the U.S. Keep them well watered but not constantly wet. Watch for ptotato beetles... Good luck.... (they like lots of sun, by the way)...

[Karen2005]

Ooh, thank you for your answers. I'll definitely give it a go - I've got nothing to lose after all!

[Jenga]

One of the best ways to grow your own potatoes is in a bucket. I have never tried it but I was told about it.

[jake-the-peg]

We'd call hilling potatoes lazy beds

Basically piling soil from either side of the row on top.

We'd call potato beetle Colorado Beetle, it's not established in the UK so much so that if you were to see one you have to inform the authorities by law - they catch a couple of dozen or so a year

I think we normally plant the whole potato or sometimes cut a big one into a few pieces, some people break off all but 2 or 3 sprouts. I don't know about cutting the eyes out maybe that's an American thing Clanad?


The biggest problem in the UK with potaotoes is normally blight, which is a mould that is a problem especially in damp years like last year

You don't need to chit popatoes and it sounds like these have chitted very nicely already.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniqu es/growfruitandveg_potatoes1.shtml

[Karen2005]

Thanks for the warning about blight. My tomatoes suffered last year, which was a real disappointment as it was my first time I attempted to grow any veg. I'm determined to give it another go though!

I did read something about getting certified seed potatoes as they'd be free of disease. How would I know if the potatoes I plant out are diseased? Would it be sensible to plant them in a bucket (I've actually got an old dustbin which might be ideal) to avoid damaging my soil?

[Clanad]

Perhaps our gardening instincts are more different than I had thought, jake... That's interesting about reporting the bettles. Of course you're correct as to the variety... they are Clorado Beetles here as well... generically everyone calls them potato beetles. I get three, maybe four seed potatoes from one potato by cutting just the eyes. I want to emphasize that at least a two inch piece of the potato needs to be attached to the eye. this requires fewer seed potatoes and seems to enhance the budding of the sprouts.
I've grown potatoes in containers, but I'm less than happy with the results. I am, however, going to try a neighbors proven method this year. He uses a common hemp bag we call a gunny sack. It's about two feet across (when layed flat) and maybe 3 to 4 feet tall. We get livestock feed in them. He puts about a foot of garden soil in them, plants the potatoes, rolls the sides down to where sun can shine on the earth and, as the sprouts break the surface and form leaves, adds dirt to almost, but not quite cover the newly emerged plant, extending the rolled sack as required. This process contnues thorughout the growing season, ceasing when the plant begins to die back. The whole thing is left to soak up the sunshine and rain until normal harvest time in the fall. My neighbor averages about 40 pounds of potatoes per sack... we'll see if I have such a green thumb for the process...