Dig or leave, Potatoes

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:27 pm Post subject: Dig or leave, Potatoes

I"m just wondering what I should do with my Spuds, (Roosters) With this constant bad weather, am I better digging and storing in big paper sacks or should I leave them in the ground. at the moment I just dig what I eat. Any suggestions?

Ben Moore · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 11

I have read that irt is better to dig up your potatoes each year and plant new Potato seed to avoid risk of viral infections. Does anybody else have an angle on this?

Sive · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject:

Ben....I think tunnelsofhens is actually just considering harvesting as he needs potatoes...I don't think he is suggesting growing next year's crop from them......

And you are right about seed potatoes being the right way to go. Mind you, I'm sure we have all had the experience of a random discarded potato growing in a compost heap and producing a surprise crop !

Ben Moore · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 11

Thanks again Sive.

Tunnelsofhens i did read that now was a good time to dig up your spuds and keep them dry and covered. Though a second opinion is always welcome Wink

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject:

Sorry Ben if I did"nt explain properly, I normally leave them longer in the ground (October) But with the wet weather were having And boy is it Wet, I wondered if it would affect the length of time they would last in the bag. Last year they kept good till early March. Just wondering?

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

dont be in any rush to dig out potatoes (maincrop). The skin needs to mature and prote ct itself for its next natural growing season next spring. While the stalks may be withered and dead the tubers are still alive and maturing. If dug too early they will turn green with sunlight. If the crop you grew was good and healthy then it is fairly safe to take seed off them. Eelworm is the other major problem but not where proper rotation is practisd..
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Ben Moore · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 11

@tunnelsofhens sorry for late reply I see where you are coming from.

@Michael Brenock thanks for clearing that matter up. Thanks for sharing your obvious experience.

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Michael aall who replied, I changed my Ney Provider and had to wait 20days before I could log on, remains to be seen whether its any quicker or better. Have gathered and dried last roosters and bagged in large paper sacks, I really pity the poor soul who has never tasted a veg 5 minutes old, again, thanks all.