Veg Talk – March 2024

Question : Why are my second earlies were chitting more quickly than first earlies?

Answer : As they had been kept in the dark the chits had got long and leggy rather the short, stronger, green purplish chits that would grow if potatoes placed in a light position. They can be planted out early/now but be wary of ground frosts up to end May; it won’t kill the plants but will knock them back to a later and smaller crop. Pink Fir Apple potatoes have a long growing season, 26 weeks harvesting late September / October. They are prone to blight, but do store very well, don’t sprout as much as other main crop potatoes, do like a lot of water – if not you will get small individuals rather than larger spuds.

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Raspberry Canes Summer fruiting cut the canes that have fruited and turned brown. Autumn fruiting cut in autumn/winter when crop finished.

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Blackcurrant/Redcurrant if growing as cordons need to be started from scratch. Redcurrants should have new growth pruned to 2/3 buds in summer or November. Blackcurrants prune in winter taking one third of darkest wood out.