Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

I have just removed a row of Blue Lawson conifers from a border bounding my
front/side garden.
I am told that I should wait for October to get bare root stock hedging
plants and therefore have some land to spare.

I thought it might be worth sticking some tatties in in the mean time.
These would use the land and help to keep the border defined as it is
adjacent to a public footpath.

Is it worth the effort considering the following?:

The border has been stripped of nourishment by the conifers which have been
there for 15 years minimum.
I will be adding fresh, not rotted manure to the bed (that's all that's
available at reasonable price).
The bed is workable down to 1 fork depth only - beyond that is boulder clay.
Half of the border is in partial shade - 3 hours max per day.
Despite slaving all weekend, there are still many roots.


I'm not bothered about having earth shattering yield, but have heard that
the movement associated with planting and harvesting help to improve the
soil.
Will there be any latent pests as a result of the previous inhabitants that
are likely to cause problems?



Finally, if the answer is to the question "is it worth it?" is yes, which
variety are most likely to succeed?


Thanks in anticipation


Phil

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

For the low cost of a few spuds why not? Nothing ventured, nothing
gained.....HW
"TheScullster" wrote in message
...
I have just removed a row of Blue Lawson conifers from a border bounding
my
front/side garden.
I am told that I should wait for October to get bare root stock hedging
plants and therefore have some land to spare.

I thought it might be worth sticking some tatties in in the mean time.
These would use the land and help to keep the border defined as it is
adjacent to a public footpath.

Is it worth the effort considering the following?:

The border has been stripped of nourishment by the conifers which have
been
there for 15 years minimum.
I will be adding fresh, not rotted manure to the bed (that's all that's
available at reasonable price).
The bed is workable down to 1 fork depth only - beyond that is boulder
clay.
Half of the border is in partial shade - 3 hours max per day.
Despite slaving all weekend, there are still many roots.


I'm not bothered about having earth shattering yield, but have heard that
the movement associated with planting and harvesting help to improve the
soil.
Will there be any latent pests as a result of the previous inhabitants
that
are likely to cause problems?



Finally, if the answer is to the question "is it worth it?" is yes, which
variety are most likely to succeed?


Thanks in anticipation


Phil

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

For the low cost of a few spuds why not? Nothing ventured, nothing
gained.....HW
"TheScullster" wrote in message
...
I have just removed a row of Blue Lawson conifers from a border bounding
my
front/side garden.
I am told that I should wait for October to get bare root stock hedging
plants and therefore have some land to spare.

I thought it might be worth sticking some tatties in in the mean time.
These would use the land and help to keep the border defined as it is
adjacent to a public footpath.

Is it worth the effort considering the following?:

The border has been stripped of nourishment by the conifers which have
been
there for 15 years minimum.
I will be adding fresh, not rotted manure to the bed (that's all that's
available at reasonable price).
The bed is workable down to 1 fork depth only - beyond that is boulder
clay.
Half of the border is in partial shade - 3 hours max per day.
Despite slaving all weekend, there are still many roots.


I'm not bothered about having earth shattering yield, but have heard that
the movement associated with planting and harvesting help to improve the
soil.
Will there be any latent pests as a result of the previous inhabitants
that
are likely to cause problems?



Finally, if the answer is to the question "is it worth it?" is yes, which
variety are most likely to succeed?


Thanks in anticipation


Phil

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

In article , TheScullster
writes
Finally, if the answer is to the question "is it worth it?" is yes, which
variety are most likely to succeed?

This time of year..... any seed potatoes you are unlikely to lay your
hands on!

My veg plot only JCB'd into shape last bank holiday and I had a bugger
of a job finding any.
If you want to drive to Swansea I've still got about 20kilos left, as I
bought the lot when I finally came across any!!
Free to a good home :-)


--
__________________________________________
Gareth Jones

"Reality sucks - go watch a Star Trek"

To email, remove the '_ns_' from

__________________________________________

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

In article , Gareth Jones
writes
In article , TheScullster
writes
Finally, if the answer is to the question "is it worth it?" is yes, which
variety are most likely to succeed?

This time of year..... any seed potatoes you are unlikely to lay your
hands on!

My veg plot only JCB'd into shape last bank holiday and I had a bugger
of a job finding any.
If you want to drive to Swansea I've still got about 20kilos left, as I
bought the lot when I finally came across any!!
Free to a good home :-)

Failing that, cut up a supermarket potato (leaving at least one good eye
on each piece) and see how they go.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

Kay

If I go with your supermarket route, should I stand them on a saucer of
water, or use some other method to get them started?

Phil

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

In article , TheScullster
writes


If I go with your supermarket route, should I stand them on a saucer of
water, or use some other method to get them started?

First rummage in the bottom of your vegetable rack to see if you have
got any that have already sprouted. If not, then leave them for a week
or two until they start to sprout. Then either plant whole or cut into
large lumps.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Potatoes - Is it worth it?
 

Thanks Kay, I'll give that a try.
Hate to see the border sat idle.
Plus it'll give the neighbours more to talk about.
As stated in my earlier post, there was a row of conifers in the border
where the potatoes are going.
Taking these out has "opened up" the corner of the estate and created quite
a talking point.

They'll wonder what's hit them if I start digging tatties out of the front
border in a few months!!!

Phil