Chitting the First and Second Early Potatoes

[@sonnyamoran7383]

Howdy y'all from Central Florida, USA.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Hi! Whereabouts? Been there many times 🙂

[@TheGrowUpChannel]

Every youtuber has a big microphone on show Steve . Its the law 😂🌱

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Wait 'til you see my headphones 😂😂😂

[@bethanskitchengarden]

To chit or not to chit, that is the question 😆Good luck with your potatoes Steve 😊

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Thanks, Bethan 👍I am growing a few less this year

[@fletchybabe6172]

Cooking starts in the garden Steve 😁🌱☀️

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Certainly does 🙂

[@CoastalGardensNW]

Nice selection there Steve 👌

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Thanks Duncan. I'm sticking with my favourites this year 🙂

[@nickthegardener.1120]

Good info Steve.👍🏻🤠🙏🥔

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Thanks Nick 👍At the end of the day, it's down to personal choice (or vanity!) - the spuds will grow anyway

[@sandram4526]

Thanks Steve for the video. My seed potato order went missing during delivery so waiting for a replacement to be sent. Fingers crossed this time. Lol

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Best of luck! Hope this lot arrive

[@BrainStormAcres]

Great talk about chit or no chit Steve. We’ll be on the edge our chairs waiting tho see how this year’s challenge goes.. somereally top notch customer service! Take care.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Thanks guys. Great customer service is the way to keep customers - as you know

[@christiegrows2022]

Love the t shirt Steve. Spuds and tomatoes 2 of the most enjoyable vegetables to grow

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

"Spuds and tomatoes 2 of the most enjoyable vegetables to grow" Oh yes!

[@BenniLkitchengarden]

Earlier today I put my potatoes out for chitting. A little early, but better too early than too late. My seed potatoes are "Berber" as always. Nice T-shirt by the way😁

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I love these mash-up T-shirts Benni! Never heard of the Berber before, but then again there are over 5000 varieties of potato LOL I've just Goggled it and it doesn't seem too be sold here in the uK Have a great week

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

Hi Steve Yep Chitting time is here. I chit all of my potatoes, I think it is a gardeners tradition to chit spuds, shows spring is on the way And there will be a lot of videos saying to chit or not to chit. Good luck with them mate. 👍👍👍👍

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

It is personal choice at the end of the day, Rob, but I can see no need for it with MC spuds. They just take up room LOL

[@myrustygarden]

Lovely squirrel 🐿️ 😮wait camera microphone 🎤 😂😂😂. No seed potatoes here yet but all good I’ve got under cupboard ones. I don’t worry about it the huuuuuggge potato farmers don’t and who am I to agree with a farmer 😜😜. Have a fantastic week keep warm and safe 🥰🇨🇦

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

😁 I prefer to call it a dead rat! You stay warm too over there Ali ❄❄

[@upbeet863]

hello Stveve i'm hoping to get my seed potatoes tomorrow going to see what the shop as got in fingers crossed a lot to choose from. Ivan

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Good luck buddy. If you are stuck, try Bridgend - they did me proud again.

[@upbeet863]

@@DigwellGreenfingers ok thanks for that i see what happens when i have a look

[@gretasgarden]

Terrific Steve. Rose bud info great. Never knew. My company won't send potatoes to me till it's time to put them in so I only split some. They're pretty much perfect chitted anyway. Take care

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Hope you grow loads of lovely tubers, Greta!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Always learn something new from these Steve, excellent. Never knew about the Rose Bud, we'll keep an eye from this year ;) Customer service is worth more bow than ever imo Have a great week!! Cheers 🌱🥔🌱

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Very good - you should be punished for that puny pun! That's true - great customer service is the best retainer, go the extra mile! Have a good 'un guys!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

@@DigwellGreenfingers only if I stolon it from someone else ;)

[@billvalsallotments5915]

Hi Steve we got our seed potatoes but not well enough to sort them out yet , hopefully val will sort them for me this week .

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Sorry to hear that - get well soon!

[@growingwithfungi]

Love it chief! I love chitting.. Feels like I’m gardening.. I like your choices of spuds. Iv kept it v simple this year and just doing British Queens and Charlotte second earlies, treating them like an early.. Iv sarpos for mc.. il still can’t get over your potato reveal that time with the condor! Incredible! You are some grower sir! Congrats on your wee bet 😊🌱💚🙏✨

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cheers Scott. I'm hoping for some big ones again this year after a miserable effort in 2022! I was still tipping out Charlottes in November! Have a great week buddy

[@growingwithfungi]

@@DigwellGreenfingers nice bro! 😁🌱💚🙏✨🙌🙌🙌

[@gardenerchris9369]

Great video Steve, Good selection of spuds , I like Winston i do well on the showbench with them

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

You and me both! Although I find they do not keep as well as Casablanca - ie, they "fade" quicker

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

Hi Steve, Thank you for the video, it's good to see what other growers are going to grow, I've kept back some of last year's SSPC22 back for 2023 growing year, I'm looking forward to SSPC23 growing challenge as I missed out last year with Susan not being well I hope this year is going to be different, Take care.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I am a Picasso convert too after last year's challenge - a great spud. Good luck this year Ron!

[@johnking-ht5ez]

Hi Steve. I am new to you channel and I too grow for the show bench.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Welcome John! I only exhibit at local shows but the competition is fierce LOL If you need any help or advice then feel free to email me - you'll have to go to the ABOUT tag on my channel homepage to get it please. 🙂

[@johnking-ht5ez]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Thanks Steve. I will take you up on that.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@johnking-ht5ez Most welcome

[@emptynestgardens9057]

I've got my seed potatoes ordered and going to attempt first time ever. So when you say the rose bud do you mean the sprout that is coloured rose?

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

It is the biggest bud or eye at the opposite end of the potato to the umbilical. The only one that is made up of multiple eyes. It's colour will match the colour of the other eyes, specific to that variety. Hope this help but if you need more then please ask. Have a great week!

[@emptynestgardens9057]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Oh ok thank you so much. 😊

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

I had to do some research on this potato lingo. First early late second third main last and all kinds of other descriptors of potatoes. Here in Minnesota the growing season is too short for trying to grow two crops of potatoes unless you use two separate places. So I grow fingerlings in one spot and then the larger sizes in the other. The other thing is for every 1 pound seed potatoes they want $4-$5 so it is expensive unless you are saving seed potatoes for seed next year. This is what I am doing now I can't afford to buy them at those prices. The Fingerling potatoes are even Higher $12-$14 per pound. I don't really chit the potatoes other than to be sure there are a few eyes to prove they will go. I do like watching all the different things you are doing with potatoes.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Ah sorry, I should have said. First and second early potatoes are determinate, and maincrop are indeterminate. (Bloody Americans confusing things 😂😂😂) Do you cut your seed potatoes into sections with an eye on each before planting? A great way to save money on the seeds and to increase the final yield. Thanks so much for following along! Have a great weekend over there

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Large one I cut and one with many eyes I cut smaller I leave as is

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm Cool. It seems to be the thing to do over there, but seldom done here. Many are missing out on better yields by not slicing them, and I guess I am just as guilty some times!

[@Nicktgrief]

no one like sweaty mushy taters 🤣 Good selection Stevo. I'm still undecided about my firsts but there's still time as I get them from the local shop as you know.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Cool. Nice to have a decent "trusted" local supplier

[@barryroberts6470]

Hi Steve great video i get my seed spuds from Suttons they should be sent out to me this week, i only tend to do 1st and 2nd earlies. That Bridgend Garden Centre you mentioned in your 2023 spud challenge and just now, i went on that site and clicked on the online shop and had a look around not too bad prices and i chucked in a few things, and when i went to pay for them i put my address in and nearly died when they said the postage which was £24, i started taking stuff off and was left with a couple of Growbag Trays and some Carrot Seeds that i was after and even that gave me £17 postage, after that i just said stuff you no money off me and came out. Now i have had Compost, Wood, Bags of Sand, Seeds and the most that i have paid is £12 which i don't mind as seeing as i don't get out, but that £24 blimey mate. Stay Safe i'm going for a sit down with a strong Coffee ha ha ha. Barry (Wirral)

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Something wrong there Barry because apart from compost and really heavy things their maximum postage is £6.99. I've just put 2x growbag tray and some carrot seeds for delivery to Wallasey Town Hall - £6.99 shipping.

[@barryroberts6470]

@@DigwellGreenfingers That's weird mate i live further away from Wallasey in West Kirby and like i said above they wanted a big amount for delivery, i'll try again and see what happens? Just a side note why Wallasey Town Hall that's where i got married 29 years ago? Barry.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@barryroberts6470 I had to put a postcode in and that was the first on Google LOL I don't suppose you selected express delivery by mistake did you?

[@barryroberts6470]

@@DigwellGreenfingers Nope i put mine in and that was the amount, like i said i will try it again and let you know what happens 🤔

[@barryroberts6470]

Hi Steve i went back on the website and i managed to get two trays and five seed packets for next day delivery just to try and see what happens, it gave me the 6.99 postage, so as a test i put on a couple of bags of compost 50L and that postage was 24.00 so i know now not to buy any compost from there, just get the lighter stuff🤔 Barry.

[@Karen-Smith]

I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't like the taste of Pink Fir Apple 😄 I still grow them though, hubby likes them. Kestrel are a favourite, they always do well whatever the weather 🤎 Will definitely have a closer look at Bridgend garden centre, thanks for the tip!

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

HAHA - I bet there are loads of things I don't like that everyone else does - kale springs to mind LOL Kestrel are tasty and they are very good on the showbench - double bonus. Have a great week Karen!

[@Karen-Smith]

Thanks steve, you too!

[@thebraziliangardener8481]

those look way to big to be planted,i usually only grow coin sized ones

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Any will grow. They used to advise only planting seed potatoes that are the size of a hen's egg, but that doesn't seem to matter any more. Have a great week Qualquer um vai crescer. Eles costumavam aconselhar apenas plantar batatas-semente do tamanho de um ovo de galinha, mas isso não parece mais importar. Tenha uma ótima semana.

[@thebraziliangardener8481]

@@DigwellGreenfingers hey,thanks for the simultaneous translation,i do speak english ahahha ,very carying on your side to answer every comment individually

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@thebraziliangardener8481 Ha, thanks. My attitude is that if viewers can take the time to comment on my videos, the least I can do is to reply. I know many do not and I find that frustrating!

[@trollforge]

Welcome to Tater town! ;)

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Once in, you'll never leave LOL

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

Could this be that I am First.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Whoo hoo - obviously bored on a Sunday afternoon 😂

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

@@DigwellGreenfingers much sooner watch youtube than Arsenal on telly mate 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@billvalsallotments5915]

@@robsallotmentchannel9942 now now Rob sore loser are we

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@billvalsallotments5915 Made me a few quid - I had a fiver on for over 2½ goals 😊

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

@@billvalsallotments5915 To be honest Bill I am absolutely P----d off with them, how does Val feel