How do I grow spuds for Christmas

[woozer]

Hi. I believe I can plant some potatoes now and have them as new potatoes at Christmas - can anyone tell me how to do this - do I just buy new potatoes from the supermarket and plant them or do I have to get seed potato from somewhere - cant see any in the local garden center at the moment. Many thanks.

[Beauj]

woozer, don't know if this is how others, or, farmers do it! But for the last few years this is what I have done!!

Spuds which I've bought & have started to 'sprout' at the ends, I cut off those end and plant them out!

Now, I've always put them in the soil and covered with an old mat or carpet - mainly to keep me cats of the plot!!

This year, in fact just the other day, I've planted them in, 1. a well washed out B&Q paint containers, & also, 2. big green canvas type bags we got from the Council for recycling! - Just filled them with soil from B&Q grow bag soil - approx 99p per bag!!

My cousin has his planted in 'Coal' bags, and they are coming up brill at the moment.

Maybe come Xmas, we can all compare notes as to how they all have come on & tasted!

[Beauj]

woozer, forgot to say! I also give them a feed every so often, with 'Tomatoe Plant Feed'! Yep, it is cheaper than some of the other plant food! Just add whatever to your watering can - works wonders pet!!

You should not need to put carpet or any covering over them at this time of year as there isn't any frost. Bye Autum they will be harden off enough to withstand the elements!

If you put them in pots, & have a greenhouse, you can always simply put them inside over the Autum / Winter period! We don't have one, and our spuds for Xmas, have always being fine - - - even in this damp North Eastern Irish climate.

Happy spuding!

[buildersmate]

I don't believe it. Every potato plant I've ever known is killed by the frost. Greenhouse is therefore the only way in the UK, unless you live in Cornwall. Even then you will need soil heat to get the temperature up high enough for the por thing to grow.
Supermarket potatoes at Xmas come from warmer sources abroad.

[woozer]

Thanks Beauj - I will give it a go - I am also going to try and remember to dig up some mint roots and bring them into the house. Do you use sprouting old spuds or sprouting new ones ?

Builders mate - I will let you know what happens - its usually quite mild here in the midlands until Feb - so I am in with a chance !

[suzisu]

woozer i just use sprouting old spuds they come up everytime i just grow them in pots and feed them with tomato feed