early potatoes

[frodsham]

I have just bought my early seed potatoes for planting in the garden. I have put them in a room that is warm with a radiator ( although it is a garage size room and the spuds aren't next to the radiator) and has good light. I am worried that I might bring them on too early ( chitting) and am wondering is this the best environment for them. I remember years ago putting some earlies in my shed and they went soggy. So I am unsure what to do. When is the best time for planting out early spuds.

[muff13]

They are better in a place where it is not too warm but has good light. I keep mine in a slightly heated room (ie the radiator is on a couple of times a day but it never gets warm enough to sit in) Probably they are better in an envirionment that is on the warm side rather than getting any frost.

When you plant them depends of varoius factors. Where you live is obviously of importance but soil conditions are of great importance. I live in the west of Scotland and I plant my early potatoes any time after mid April (though in a really wet year I have been as late as the last week of May) but I believe in the south it can be any time from 20th March onwards. When I first started gardening (too many years ago) I was given a book which said that early potatoes should be planted on 23rd March and main crop on 23rd April. (It also said that shallots should be planted on the shortest day of the year and parsnips in February - very parctical in this part of the world!!) I soon realised that sowing of anything has to be determined by the conditions and timing will very from year to year.

Good luck with your potatoes and look forward to enjoying some delicious meals in the summer.

[forncettman]

not a good idea to have them in warm room you will bring them on to early you need to put them only in a frost free place no good thinking of planting out side till the ground warms up or they will rot in the ground or get frosted

[frodsham]

thanks muff13 and forncettman. Your advice is much appreciated. Muff we holidayed in Oban in march last year.
A really beautiul part of the world. Yes I am looking forward to some lovely spuds.