Forum home› Fruit & veg

Potato Planting

NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 725
in Fruit & veg
Hello,
Can anyone tell me what the minimum overnight temperate needed is for when planting seed potatoes outside?
the ones I’ve been chitting have put on a lot of growth but due to upcoming forecasts saying a minimum of 2-3 degrees I wasn’t sure whether it’s be too cold to plant them out yet?
they will be going in a raised bed and the only protection I can provide if needed is some horticultural fleece. Should I hang on a bit longer before I plant them out or can I do it this week? 
«1

Posts

  • NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 725
    Ahh thanks for the tip, I might try the same thing. I’m up in East Yorkshire so I know we’ve got a risk of cold nights for a few weeks yet.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,668
    If you plant them 10cm deep and earth the soil up over the top of them the frost shouldn't trouble them, if however you think that frost will continue for some time to come then holding back might be a good idea. Mine have been in the ground for a couple of weeks now and there's not a lot I can do about any frost, I have to say that last year I had to postpone planting because of the "beast from the east" and although by the middle of April it had warmed up, the ground temperature was lower than it was two weeks ago when I planted them this year.
  • NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 725
    Thank you for the advice.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 4,843
    I hope it's ok as I put mine in today. The soil has been covered and when planting didn't feel cold. Mine are in raised beds too, but I will be covering them until the night frosts have passed.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695
    Isn't it  the rule that you plant them when you can sit on the soil with your bare bum?
  • NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 725
    Fidgetbones I might try that, not sure what my neighbours will say though 😂
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 4,843
    Dont think it would ever get warm enough for that @fidgetbones.😮😊
    Might be difficult for those with an allotment too. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,896
    edited April 2019
    fidgetbones said:
    Isn't it  the rule that you plant them when you can sit on the soil with your bare bum?
    Thought that was for drilling spring wheat and barley (as they’re grasses).  

    It always was ‘the law’ that you planted your potatoes on Good Friday  ...  whether Easter was early or late 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • oooftoooft Posts: 191
    Dovefromabove said:
    fidgetbones said:
    Isn't it  the rule that you plant them when you can sit on the soil with your bare bum?
    Thought that was for drilling spring wheat and barley (as they’re grasses).  

    It always was ‘the law’ that you planted your potatoes on Good Friday  ...  whether Easter was early or late 😉 
    I thought the law was that you planted first earlies on St Patrick's day! Mine have been planted in large tubs. Waiting til good friday for my seconds and May Day for main crop. I hope the potato police don't come and lift me. Maybe they'll just earth me up
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,052
    If its still frosty, fidgetbones will be the one being lifted, self-propelled as soon as bum hits soil  ;)
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Sign In or Register to comment.