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Winter potatoes caught by frost

polbpolb Posts: 198
in Fruit & veg
Hi - I planted some potatoes in a raised bed a few weeks ago. The label said to plant  September at the latest. I was hoping to have some for December/Jan. However we had a frost last week and the leaves that had started to come through, have all wilted :-/ Should I have put fleece over? I just thought if they were suitable for winter that they'd cope with frost. The potatoes are called Pentland Javelin and are apparently good for being disease resistant.
Thank you!
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,203
    I wouldn't have though one or two light frosts would be a problem. If there isn't a lot of foliage, and it's soft and fleshy, it's more vulnerable though. If they've been correctly planted, I think you're ok.
    There are other, more knowledgeable, people here who may offer some good advice though.
    Have you got a pic? That will also help  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • polbpolb Posts: 198
    I've not taken a photo as there were hardly any leaves. I'm guessing from what I have read that eventually more fresh leaves will come through but I'm wondering if I should be covering them when there's another frost??
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,203
    Are you likely to get another frost in the next week or so, do you think?
    It may just be that it's been a bit late for planting them, as you thought yourself, but that in itself might be a good thing, as there isn't much foliage to get frosted. 
    I don't have any experience of planting potatoes at this time of year, but I wonder if fleece would be helpful for the next week or so?
    I'll tag in @BobTheGardener, as he has a lot of experience of veg growing, and might be more use to you  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • polbpolb Posts: 198
    Thank you :)I'll maybe go and buy some fleece, just in case! I don't think its due to be frosty but I can't imagine that there won't be any frost between now and the start of December! :|
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,203
    Wait and see if Bob comes in with some advice. If they're designed to grow at this time of year, there shouldn't be a major problem. He might be able to offer some ideas or reassurance though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • polbpolb Posts: 198
    Ok, I'll wait and see what he says - thank you! :)
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,526
    I think if you are growing these "Christmas potatoes", they need to be in bags in a greenhouse at least. They are normal potatoes that have been in cold store. They are just as susceptible to Frost as if they were planted in March.  If they are already in  raised bed, they will need cloches over or one of those small poytunnels.
  • polbpolb Posts: 198
    oh that's disappointing. It doesn't mention this on the packaging. I've got a small polytunnel, I'll pop that over. I presume I then just water them every few days??

    Thank you :)
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,526
    The amount of water they need depends on how warm it is inside. Too much and the potatoes will rot, as they will only be growing slowly.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,526
    some advice here.


    I think that if you were sold them as suitable for outside planting , to get pots for xmas, they were missold.

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