Topic: first spuds

[tonybloke]

we had our first meal of earlies (rocket) for tea yesterday, with an Asparagus and cheddar quiche, wholemeal pastry (with parmesan) and Artichokes in garlic butter. Yummy! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[lolabelle]

YUMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Im hungry now  :P

[OllieC]

When did you plant, Tony?

[tim]

Never had a newie until early June!!

[Old bird]

Tonybloke

I was really looking forward to some earlies - had them planted in my polytunnel for ages.  Decided last week to try one plant - I got two one inch little potatoes!

What a disappointment!

Sounds really scrummy your meal - I am very envious!

Old Bird
 ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

Was debating digging up one of my "rockets" in the polytunnel, just to see if I can get a meal, you have made my mind up for me Tony, hopefully more under there than yours Old Bird! ;D
Can't beat a home grown early! ;D

[posie]

 :'( :'( :'(  Just dug up one of the pentland javelin i have in a tub in the garden.  Foot and a half of plant, not a potato in sight!!!  :'( :'( :'(

[cambourne7]

I read somewhere that if you grub around under the plant without pulling the plant itself then it would still grow and create a potential 2nd crop. I dont know anyone with soil that would allow them to do that but certainly worth a shot if your 'testing' plants rather than pulling it so if you cant find anything it will continue to grow.

[manicscousers]

I found 3 before Ray stopped me firkling so we had 1 1/2 each with our ham salad, lovely  ;D

[OllieC]

i meant to ask you too, manics - when did you plant yours?

[manicscousers]

end of january, covered with fleece, we'd warmed the bed up with weed control covered cardboard  over winter  :)
always pile the beds up with manure in winter, then card, then the weed control over the top ;D

[Old bird]

Hi manics!

Is that in a polytunnel our outside.

Love the word "firkling"  so very British, and round and country!

I will have to use it somewhere. Like the word "embuggerance" which was a word Terry Pratchet used to describe the fact that he has alzheimers disease and he calls it that.  Highly descriptive and very apt.

Old Bird

 ;D

[Ishard]

Crikey the tops of mine are only just showing above the soil!!

[Flunky]

how do you know when you spuds are ready ?

[tim]

You don't really expect much until they are in flower, do you?

[Able]

You don't really expect much until they are in flower, do you?

Having only started this year and not having grown so much as broad bean since primary school.....Wasnt sure.

So i assume I wait till they flower then.

[manicscousers]

Hi manics!

Is that in a polytunnel our outside.

Love the word "firkling"  so very British, and round and country!

I will have to use it somewhere. Like the word "embuggerance" which was a word Terry Pratchet used to describe the fact that he has alzheimers disease and he calls it that.  Highly descriptive and very apt.

Old Bird

 ;D

Hi, Able, welcome to the site  ;D
yes, old bird, in the polytunnel, firkling was put on here, last year, I like the sound of it..
I've been reading Terry Pratchett's take on his alzheimers, I hope I'd be like that if it happened to me, don't look on it as a death sentence, I hope he writes lots more books, I love his take on life  ;D
flunky, when the flowers are open, you can gently feel around the roots, or 'firkle'..we're going to the plot tomorrow, while ray's playing with the compost heap, I'll be having another look  ;D ;D

[Flunky]

You don't really expect much until they are in flower, do you?

Having only started this year and not having grown so much as broad bean since primary school.....Wasnt sure.

So i assume I wait till they flower then.

i will wait for the flower too. Thanks Manics and Tim.

[tonybloke]

When did you plant, Tony?

feb 9th, in a coldframe thingy, made out of old sash windows

[Barnowl]

I planted some Vivaldi (second early) last October. The container has been outside all winter but I fleeced when temperatures got frosty.  Haulms appeared in January and there's been lots of foliage for the last month or so. I imagine it's a very confused plant and so the question is, do I wait for flowers, or for the haulms to die back or just go for it.

I'm a bit apprehensive about waiting too long as the container is in the garden where I grow most of my tomatoes and I don't want any dying vegetation around.