Single hen

[AJuff]

This year I am going to try growing spuds in very large tub trugs on the patio. I have sourced some very cheap black recycled black and decker tub trug type containers for £2.75 each. Do I need to drill holes in the bottom for drainage or not? i know some large pots don't to keep water in.

[moochoo]

Hiya, it might be a good idea. especially since the last two years have been so wet. The last thing you want is rotten water logged spuds. Good luck with them.

[Valkyrie]

Definitely, or you will get a sludgey mess at the bottom and the spuds will rot. It might be an idea to raise them slightly for better drainage - who knows you just might get a frog or toad underneath to munch any slugs and other nasties.

[AJuff]

Thanks for that, will drill holes at the weekend. It's a bit of an experiment to grow in buckets this year but after last years back breaking feat to get them in i shall look forward to the experiment and hope for a tasty feast.

[Valkyrie]

I hope you get bucket loads of spuds - literally!

[chickenanne]

I'm going to tey spuds in containers this year, too. I've a longish south facing wall so my plan is to put first earlies in containers, hatvest them and replace with climbing veg plants (beans, outdoor cucumbers, a climbing courgette, etc).

everything I've read says defintiely put drainage holes in, and that it's a great way to do it as earthing them up and harvesting is so easy.

[The Spencers]

We asked this question in one of the potato threads below, but got no joy. Anyone got any ideas?

 

We're planting in bags this year. We've got more potatoes than we've got space for in the bags and were wondering whether you thought we could get more than one crop out of each bag - particularly the first and second earlies. If so what's the best way to store the extra potatoes until needed? Cool, dark place?

[AJuff]

I always have this problem so I share them with my sister. I didn't think they'd keep. You could alaways freecycle them.

[Valkyrie]

Hello the Spencers

I don't think you would be able to do a follow on with first and second earlies. They are planted more or less at the same time and by the time you harvest your first ones, your second ones should follow soon after. But you could experiment with just the one bag to see what happens there, but watch out for blight.

Even if you keep your spare spuddies in a cool dark place they will still sprout - lots of long white fingers and the spuds will shrivel up. If you want some new potatoes for Christmas you can save a couple of your potatoes your first crop and grow them on in the greenhouse.

New potatoes can be followed by leeks - I think that's from John Seymour.

[Matthew]

We asked this question in one of the potato threads below, but got no joy. Anyone got any ideas?

 

We're planting in bags this year. We've got more potatoes than we've got space for in the bags and were wondering whether you thought we could get more than one crop out of each bag - particularly the first and second earlies. If so what's the best way to store the extra potatoes until needed? Cool, dark place?

 

 

Somewhere cool and dark is spot on.... I use old layer pellet sacks for my potatoes...

 

YOu need to check them every couple of weeks for signs of rotting etc.... am still using those I grew last year... they are just starting to show signs of sprouting in the bag