Growing potatoes

[lily]

We don't eat many so only grew a few as an experiment this year. They look OK but on closer inspection several are riddled with slug holes with a resident slug inside. Think the heavy rain hasn't helped. Any tips anyone for slug free growing?

[dragonfly]

I grew mine in tubs lily and had no slugs but probably only a matter of time before they find them.

[eleanor2]

some of mine got slugs.where the soil was wet.in another part of the garden that wasnt as wet(dont know why) the potatoes just fell from the crumbly soil.large and delicious

[bonnie]

Talking potatoes, i am having trouble getting decent potatoes in the shops lately. i usually get cyprus ones from my greengrocers but they are finished for a couple of months. they have a lovely new potatoe taste to them.
every sort i have tried at the moment either go soft on the outside and stay hard on the inside, or they go to mush when boiled.
what type are you using at the moment and are they any good.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Bonnie, we are lucky that we have a local grower that supplies the local shops. It doesn't have a name, just the farm, but they are good potatoes. It drives me nuts that we import so many, even though they are not a 'native' thing really! Couldn't live without our potatoes.

As to growing them. I tried tubs this year to try to minimize slug damage. Seems to be a national issue. Failed, slugs found them and despite my best efforts the produce itself was not what I'd hoped: small potatoes and not a lot of them.

Further enquires, among the 'older' male gardening community, reveals that liming your soil deters slugs, as does digging in seaweed.

[bonnie]

You are right rustic but after sucking many a spud i have found the cyprus to be the best.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Have you ever tried Jersey Royals? I didn't find them to be as exciting as they are cracked up to be.

I love potatoes and recently bought a rather large book called 'Potatoes' (imaginative title) besides loads of lovely recipes it is full of information on the humble potato, like its history, all the varities, and cooking methods for specific types of potato. It was one of those 'bargain' books on sale at the National Trust shop.

[bonnie]

I do like jersy royals rustic but find them a pain to scrape and they are quite expensive.

[Crocus]

We had some of our own potatoes tonight! Mr C is very proud of himself, really. Kind of forgot about it and yesterday afternoon he was weeding his veggie patch and dug up a few potatoes. Hhmmmm lovely. xxx

[Rustic Pumpkin]

Seed catalogues are tempting me to waste yet more money on slug fodder again this year.

[Crocus]

Hi RP, OH was complaining this morning about worms and stuff in the sprouts in the veggie patch he is so proud of. He actually sprayed them with a water and dishwashing liquid mixture and they took off like nothing! I suppose the soap burnt their eyes!!:D