N&J Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Has anyone tried to grow sups in a barrell? If so was it worth it and do you have any top tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I grow potatoes in an old plastic bins and it works really well the potatoes are easy to earth up and the chickens can't dig them up.............. I plant about 5 tubers in each bin which is lined with about 12 inches of compost and some broken crocks in the bottom to help with drainage, then I cover the tubers with compost and as soon as I see sprouts showing cover again with more compost until I reach the top of the bin, once the tops start to die back you can pick them this is very easy because the compost is nice and soft..............I have also just read that you don't even need to chit potatoes just plant them at the right time of year and they will grow just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I have grown potatoes in a plastic barrel and it was very successful. I did exactly the same as Nicola has described and am going to do it again this year. It's also a very good use of space as you can pretty much put the barrels anywhere and free up parts of your veggie patch to grow other things. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I do much the same, but instead of barrels I use old tyres. Generally 3 in a pile, few crocks in the bottom, and fill up the middle with compost. I generally only put in 4 tubers, but have 5 tyre piles lined up behind my greenhouse and have had quite a few spuds grown that way. Being tyres emptying them at the end of the season is easy, not at all heavy to lift individually, and I'm recycling something that otherwise is useless. Best of all- they were free That said that's reminded me that I probably ought to get them sorted again soon, so I can get ready for this years potato crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 i also grew potatoes in a barrel last year, as described above. they werent the biggest potatoes in the world, but did very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N&J Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 How deep should be bins be? 2-3 foot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 We grow potatoes in the bags that the compost comes in, with a few extra holes for drainage and build up the soil level as the tops grow up, then when they are ready to harvest just slice down the bag or tip out the spuds!! Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 I tried growing in old compost bags last year and despite very poor attention for me I grew masses from just 5 free spuds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 We got some really cheap compost bins from the local authority and want to try that - any ideas on a good variety - I like new potatoes any suggestions welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clare* Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I went to B&Q today, they had all their bags of potatoes reduced to £1.99. I bought a bag and 3 orange 99p buckets to try and grow them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I got some free samples of a variety called Anya last year and they worked really well. They are new spud sized and a creamy coloured waxy type spud. They work really well hot of cold as a salad spud and stored really well, not that they lasted that long before we ate them all:D Growing them again this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Thanks Trish - will have a scout around and see what I can find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I went to B&Q today, they had all their bags of potatoes reduced to £1.99. . I bought a bag of Charlotte seed potatoes from B&Q today they were not reduced all the varities were £2.99 Also bought 2 large plastic pots and 2 bags of compost. My potatoes are now chitting in the spare bedroom. How long do they have to chit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 According to Georgina Wroe, editor of Grow Your Own magazine, chitting is totally unnecessary. She also quotes spud expert Alan Romans as saying that it is a complete waste of time. I have gone through the chitting stage with mine before, but will do it without this year and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I read that too Linda................I am sure farmers don't chit 8 acres worth of spuds before they plant them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I read that too Linda................I am sure farmers don't chit 8 acres worth of spuds before they plant them out. Good point, Nicola! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 That clears up a question that was at the back of my mind. I've bought the usual amout of seed potatoes and started them chitting. I now need to buy a lot of maincrop seed potatoes to ready put in at the farm if/when we move - I'm certainly not going to be chitting those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Good job we all know what you are talking about and not a typo Moving house and chitting potatoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I thought that but was worried I would get my knuckles rapped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Oo should I be chitting already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Absolutely no need to chit. I chitted myself the first time I planted potatoes - but last year just put them in and it made no difference whatsoever with the maincrop. The reason why people chit early pototoes is that it gets them off to a good start - and they are ready earlier! (if we have a cold spell they don't like chitting in cold earth so the tubers. will not chit until the earth has warmed up) So I would recommend you chit earlies but don't bother chitting main crop. But if you are really not bothered about how early your earlies are or not even planting them - then don't chit yourself either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I've already started to chit. When should I stop? How big do they have to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Good job we all know what you are talking about and not a typo Moving house and chitting potatoes - Quite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 I thought that but was worried I would get my knuckles rapped I was expecting to get moderated Mel but the in me couldn't help herself Sorry Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
