Growing potatoes for Christmas

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

I see Mr Middleton has a variety that will grow between July and December. Has anyone tried this successfully? I'd love to do it, would it only work in a greenhouse or would a potato growing bag do the trick? The variety is Carlinford.

http://www.mrmiddleton.com/shop/product.php?productid=1035&cat=158&page=1

ian · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject:

i did it last year and got a small crop in december out on my allotment. i planted in sept shoould have planted in August and also planted maincrop instead of earlies. Last year the late autumn and early winter was actually mild and surprisingly dry , for me anyway, so i'll be doing same this year and saving some earlies for august. should have an improved crop this time, it was great digging spuds on christmas eve and having them the next day, well worth a go i'd say.

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

Wow Ian thats amazing, so you planted them outside? I'm torn between using the potato bags or planting directly into the ground, I'm thinking they may be more protected under soil?

michelle M · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

That sounds great, I think I'll give it a go. Are there any particular varieties for planting that time of year? Are there any other veg that can be sown aug / sept, as my raised bed should be empty by then, I'd say. I haven't near enough space

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

ian · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject:

i have posted a picture of a glass cover for a raised bed under asparagus April 24 two windows hinged together and hinged to one side of the raised bed this enables to plant more and later too.
regards, Ian.

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

ian · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

sorry, i don't have the skills to get a link, check back to April 24 on the list of topics under asparagus
Regards, ian.

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

Thanks Ian ..found it..they look great, very professional!

breezyacre · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Very interesting about the Carlingford spuds. I am going to try aquadulce broad beans and garlic in Oct./ Nov. for the first time. I have been told that this is the most suitable time for garlic particularly. Anyone any experience of growing garlic successfully over the winter?

sevenstar · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:33 am Post subject:

I grew garlic over winter a few years ago with great success. I believe they need a good frost to grow well (?) This year got a slow start due to moving and the garlic I've sown is not nearly as big as the last time. Happy growing. Very Happy

windy

blownin · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:21 pm Post subject:

Did you manage to find any ? i'd like to plant some shortly, or will shop bought spuds that go to seed this time of year develop if planted.

loopy · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 43

I'm also looking for some...I've emailed mr middleton to see when they might have them back in stock.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject:

Potatoes for Christmas?
There are specially prepared cold-store seed potatoes for winter growing available from mail order seed merchants across the water in the UK, but unfortunately these are not usually available for delivery into Ireland.
Although this may have changed, so please correct me if I am wrong.

Late cropping Varieties such 'Carlingford', 'Charlotte', 'Maris Peer' and 'Nicola', if available would allow you the best chance of success, due to them being cold treated. This breaks the spuds dormancy and spurs them into growth.

However you will get away with using some of the smaller potatoes from your most recent crop or even small potatoes from a local farmer or fruit & veg shop. By using your own homegrown seed potatoes or those from an organic grower, you can ensure they will not be treated with any chemical to prevent budding. The variety "Orla" is to be recommended if you can track some down, as it is an early growing variety with good disease resistance.

If you are looking for seed potatoes you may be able to source some here....Seed potatoes

You can carry out your own cold treatment on your seed potatoes by putting them in a paper bag, then popping them in the fridge (not freezer) for a week. Save your old egg boxes, rip the tops off, and plonk your potatoes into them right side up on a bright windowsill for about another week before begin sowing.

More here in my article on how to plant spuds for Christmas........ How to grow new potatoes for Christmas.