Â鶹Éç

Grow your own  permalink

How long do

• Message 1. 

  Posted by wendy (U14838922) on Sunday, 25th September 2011

  Hi,
  I was wondering how long Potatoes last in the ground without leaves they have not suffered from blight (thank god) first year our of 3.
  
  I also would like to grow some for Christmas but they would be in tubs is it possible or not?
  
  many thanks

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Sunday, 25th September 2011

  It is better to dig them up and store them in a cool but frost-free place. If you leave them in the ground they may rot, or be frosted, or attacked by pests, mainly slugs.
  
  By all means try for Christmas potatoes. Human knowledge is only advanced by experimentation, but the plants must be kept frost-free. Remember how cold it was before Christmas last year?

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Sunday, 25th September 2011

  It is better to dig them up and store them in a cool but frost-free place. If you leave them in the ground they may rot, or be frosted, or attacked by pests, mainly slugs.
  
  By all means try for Christmas potatoes. Human knowledge is only advanced by experimentation, but the plants must be kept frost-free. Remember how cold it was before Christmas last year?  Depending where you live, it's too late for Xmas spuds, certainly in the NW, but I'm happy to be wrong.
  
  They should have been planted late August/early September and given time to put out both growth on top and under the soil, the cooler temps will slow down their growth and if the soil is frozen in December you can't dig them up, trust me I've tried.

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by netherfield (U3897706) on Monday, 26th September 2011

  I have to agree,it really is too late for Xmas, I planted mine 20th august.

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Tuesday, 27th September 2011

  The tuber should last in good condition like any flower tuber; the rot would only set in, when the new increase of potatoes occurs in the next growing season, by which time you might well have more potatoes, quite by chance.
  
  It is best to organize things, which is what growing your own is all about, rather than leave it to chance. I left J artichoke to their own devices for two or three years on a bit of public space, and had a huge crop at the end of it......... quite by chance. Potato is similar but not the same. Late mother used to grow what she called "Wild potatoes" !!

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Wednesday, 28th September 2011

  If you leave them in during the ensuing winter, they become increasingly gnarled and "diseased" in the ground but this is the "seed" potato for what will be your new crop the following July/August. When the seed potato has been completely used to grow new little seedlings, it is completely spent, and gone.

  Link to this forum: How long do

  Report message6

Back to top