When can you put potatoes in containers outside?

[Z1nn1a]

Just that really.

It depends whereabouts you are in the country.

This site should tell you for your area

www.gardenfocused.co.uk/vegetable/potatoes/potatoes-plant.php

Many thanks, still not quite sure.

Is it just leaves that need to be protected from frost?

Traditionally, potatoes were planted a week after the usual last frost in your area - that varies from the end of March in Cornwall to mid-late May in NW Scotland.

A frost will blacken and rot the leaves and stems above ground; that means the tubers underground will not be able to grow and multiply.

Being buried a few inches deep will sometimes protect tubers from frost if they are dormant. That's how 'rogue' potatoes pop up in places where potatoes used to be grown.

So keep indoors for now?

Keep anywhere out of the frost right now.

If the seed potatoes are sprouting, you can plant them about 6 in deep in compot in tubs or special potato pots. it will take some time for shoots and leaves to emerge. But make sure to keep those frost-free - you can cover them with bubble-wrap or similar - until all danger of local frost has passed.

I would stick first crop potatoes out now.

I put some potatoes in the unheated greenhouse bed. The leaves appeared about a week ago. We had frost and the tips of the leaves were blackened however the other seedlings in the greenhouse which I'd covered with fleece at night were fine. So I would say if you cover them at night, or in the day, if it's likely to be frosty, you can probably put them outside. I'm in the south of Scotland.

This is v interesting. Monty put some out last week didn't he? It am I misremembering? I'm so disorganised this year. I've been late with everything. But this cold snap hasn't helped.

I've planted my first crops out today!

Traditional to plant potatoes on Good Friday.

That's tied in to the lunar calendar rather than the thermometer, so might not work well everywhere

Today! (Hampshire)