Growing potatoes....how to.

[keenonhist]

When we buy potatoes to cook we buy "Maris Piper" a good all rounder. A few months ago some went to seed,so instead of throwing them in the compost bin I I thought I would put them in the garden. The results were that we had about 2lb of potatoes from about 5 seeds. Not good I
admit. My question is:
When is the time to plant out potatoes and do I need to use proper seed potatoes to get better results??
Many thanks for any replies.
keenonhist

[boxtops]

I suspect that seed potatoes will give you better results, but I often do what you did - plant some shooting spuds in a tub and leave them for a few months. It's nice to grow your own new potatoes!

[martinjr]

For the past 3 years I have used some medium sized potatoes from our normal supply for the table. The results have been extremely good. If you want to save some from a good batch from this year put them in a strong paper sack and store them in a dark place until next spring.The experts will always recommend certified seed but non-cert works for me.

[RAV1D]

You can plant them any time from end of March through to beginning of July and as long as the get a good 3 or 4 months left in the ground untill the plant flowers then droops and starts to go yellow then you can dig em out!

[rowanwitch]

If you have a conservatory or heated greenhouse put a few in a large tub now.... you will have new potatoes with easter lunch.

[johnk]

I use potatoes from the shopping as you have. Pick egg sized spuds from January on, leave in the light (chitting) to sprout. Plant in preprepared trenches about 8-10 inches deep with the bottom filled with well rotted manure or compost. As they grow drag soil up around the stems. Harvest when the plant dies back or leave in the ground til feb.