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+--- Thread: Potato advice please (/showthread.php?tid=407)
Potato advice please - Broadway - 27-07-2020
Hello folks
I'd only grown potatoes in a few buckets in previous years but hopefully have a few more from this year's bed.
My question is around lifting and storing. The bed will not be used again this year therefore can I leave them in the ground and lift when I want to eat them or will they eventually rot??
Regards lifting and storing what have you found to be your most successful method?
As always thank you for your advice
RE: Potato advice please - Roitelet - 27-07-2020
I lift mine and spread them out to dry in the shed overnight. Sort them out the following day and put aside all those that are damaged to be used first. Then store a in paper sacks or cardboard boxes in a cool dark place.
RE: Potato advice please - Bren - 27-07-2020
I do the same as Roitelet using paper sacks.
RE: Potato advice please - Broadway - 27-07-2020
Thanks folks
RE: Potato advice please - Mark_Riga - 27-07-2020
Depends whether they are earlies or maincrop. Earlies (and second earlies if planted), I lift as needed as they keep on growing and not too much slug damage. I lift maincrop all together in September usually unless they die down earlier. These tend to get more slug damage so I don't leave them in longer that I have to.
RE: Potato advice please - Can the Man - 27-07-2020
Like Mark, I lift my earlies as and when needed in the kitchen these will be finished before the mains kick in. With the mains depending on how many I have grown have often stayed in the ground till November them it’s lift them, dry them in the wheelbarrow in the shed, when dry brush them down then store undamaged ones in a cardboard box layered with straw.
RE: Potato advice please - Broadway - 28-07-2020
Thanks Mark / CtM,
I have First, Second, and Main. I will lift the First and Second as and when for now.
RE: Potato advice please - Vinny - 28-07-2020
It can depend on whether you are plagued by keel slugs in the ground which can ruin your crop?
Freshly dug is best as far as I am concerned, but because I have other uses for the ground the maincrops are in, I will probably lift them.
I usually store mine in thick cardboard boxes as opposed to bags.
RE: Potato advice please - Broadway - 28-07-2020
Ok thanks Vinny