The Poultry Keeper

worldor · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 110 Location: West Midlands

I have been trying to grow potatoes in sacks using bedding from the chickens and the rabbits. All has gone well until now. This morning when I went out the main growing green shoot was broken off from one plant. Will I have lost all as I thought that the plant had to flower and then go to seed to produce the potato?

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:50 am Post subject:

Not all types of potatoes have to flower. Very gently put your hand down the side, have a feel about for the pots and see if they are already there. They may well be formed and ready for eating! Very Happy

nigel · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject:

just harvested some Arran Victory, they are violet skinned absolutely fantastic, shame it disappears on cooking

stephen · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject:

But they make the worlds greatest roast potatoes...

Lisa · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:30 pm Post subject:

I have grown them in previous years. They are yummy roasties, aren't they Very Happy

How did you find harvesting purple spuds? On reflection I do think yellow or red varieties are easier to get out of the ground (ie all of them without leaving any little "helpers" to grow next year).

But the taste was worth it Wink

I see Alan Romans (Potato Guru) has a new book coming out soon about potato varieties, what they're good for, and how to grow them. Here it is:

http://tinyurl.com/74s7c

nigel · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 7:56 am Post subject:

They are more difficult to distinguish while in the ground, but have definitely earned place on next years list.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

The Shetland Blacks that I have grown this year have been blasted by salty gales so I had a 'pearl' around to see what was what so far - tasty marbles! Gonna leave them for a while to see if they will grow anymore - the Desiree seem to be bigger.

mojo · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:36 pm Post subject: hi

if you fancy a game of marbles i am your man..................spuds sized liked marbles...........caused by drought......but eaten just the same...........no taste like a new spud is there.........will try again next year.....mojo Cool

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject:

Well drought has certainly not been the problem here! Unless it rained AROUND the tatties .............

Heather · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:44 pm Post subject:

that's the great thing about gardening - there is always next year ! what with one thing and another my allotment has gone to pot this year Embarassed

A garden is never so good as it will be next year. ~ Thomas Cooper

mojo · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:45 pm Post subject: hi

that fellas seen my garden.....mojo Cool