Spud Question

[Emagggie]

Please can someone tell me how long I can leave my second earlies (can't remember the type) in the earth. It seems I over estimated our needs!  All greenery has died away to nothing now. I have dug up half as I needed the space, but I understand they don't keep well. Some of them are huge. :o.

[Emagggie]

[Emagggie]

.........or put another way, will they just rot away if I leave them too long?

[grawrc]

My son dug up my second earlies last year (Kestrel). Being a bit inexperienced he didn't make a great job of it, seemingly missing entire plants. When I dug the bed over in October I lifted another sackful. They were large but sound and both cooked and tasted good. I imagine it will depend too on the type of soil and the weather conditions.

[Emagggie]

Thanks Grawc, I've only got 1/2 plot so I'm tight for space, but I would hate to waste the spuds.

[Trevor_D]

They won't rot away, but the slugs might enjoy them! If they look threatened, dig them up and store them. But we're only (just) August. If slugs aren't a problem, leave them in the ground until you need them.

[saddad]

If you can keep the soil damp!!! Now is a good time to treat the bed with nematodes as they are best at killing those small soil dwelling slugs which riddle potatoes later in the season..
;D

[Emagggie]

Ha! yessss. I knew all that straw mulching was a good idea, soil is nicely damp. ;D Slugs are a pain, so I shall google nematodes as I don't know too much about them ???
I have stored the spuds I dug yesterday in a proper paper potato sack and hopefully they will keep for a while.
Thanks folks.

[saddad]

Remember to rake the mulch back, water them onto the soil then cover over... they like it dark and damp...
;D

[Emagggie]

Just had a google Saddad, they sound horrid...but I'm going to get some anyway. Many thanks for the tip.(Our soil is clay but it doesn't seem too bad at present, it's had a good dollop of manure. Anyhow I wont know if the nems will be able to do their stuff until I give it a go, will I?)

[grawrc]

I've used them for vine weevils and they're really effective. Mind you I suppose that's a different sort of nematode.

Where do you get your paper potato sacks from? I've got Hessian and I hate the smell.

[saddad]

Ours is heavy clay as well... but the beds we have done for several years are virtually slug free, even where we have brought in manure...
;D

[Tee Gee]

Where do you get your paper potato sacks

I get mine from a seed merchants in the village. They buy animal & bird feed in bulk and split it in more manageable quantities for sale to the general public resulting in loads of spare paper bags.

Now that the council charge for disposal the are quite happy to give them away.

[Emagggie]

Well that's good to know Saddad.
Grawc, Stephanies yard is on a farm that grows mainly spuds now. She is given a bag every year 'cos she is a tennant. Shall I make inquiries to see if we can have a few more empty bags? ;)

[grawrc]

Aw that's really kind Emaggie! I tell you what - I was thinking that we have a fish and chip shop down the road and I know the people quite well. They must get deliveries of potatoes so I could ask and see if they have spare bags. But if not it'd be great to get some.

[Emagggie]

Okey dokey, pm me if you need to.

[Trixiebelle]

Grawc: I've been to a wholesale fruit & veg shop at our local cattle-market today and they said they would save me their paper potato sacks and plastic/wooden fruit trays etc. They only have to get rid of them otherwise!

Maybe ask at the local greengrocers as well?

[grawrc]

Greengrocers? There aren't any in a 3 mile radius!! :o :o

[cornykev]

Greengrocers, I remember them from years ago. ??? ;D ;D ;D