Replanting potatoes for Christmas

I have just harvested Charlotte potatoes (2nd early salad) and was thinking of keeping some back for replanting late summer, popping in the poly tunnel in the hope that I could harvest some in December. Is that do-able? I vaguely remember that potatoes have a long dormant period after harvesting so only seed potatoes held back from spring planting will work. Any thoughts peeps? Before we eat the lot with a thrombosis-inducing amount of salted butter?

I’ve missed potatoes when harvesting, and they ended up producing a good fall crop the same year. I’ve also planted newly harvested potatoes and they never came up. I don’t know why the different results.

Ken W Wilson wrote:I’ve missed potatoes when harvesting, and they ended up producing a good fall crop the same year. I’ve also planted newly harvested potatoes and they never came up. I don’t know why the different results.

Ah. So could go either way. Bugger. I suppose I could just pop a few in and hope. You can't get new potatoes here so I don't get the option of popping to the supermarket at the last moment.  I might try with a few of the Navan (maincrop) as well. Maybe there's a difference in the varieties.

I think it probably is the variety.  Plenty of moisture would probably help.

For several years now I've bought organic potatoes (red pontiac I think)  at the grocery store and planted them once they develop some eyes (several weeks).  I guess that's the same freshness as yours and they've done very well for me with no fungal diseases.      It's my understanding that the only thing that makes a "seed potato" unique is that they've been grown under strict requirements and certified free of blight/diseases.   I don't think it has anything to do with age or seasoning.  

Susan Pruitt - are those uou planted in late summer?

Amanda, coincidentally I'm getting ready to do that now.   Last year I stuck potatoes in the ground several times throughout the season but was so random about their location and didn't tag them that I lost track and probably didn't water them faithfully, so I really can't tell you how well they did.   I am optimistic however because we have a long growing season, first frost is end of October or November.

Let me clarify - My first planting was in mid March.   They're ready for harvest this week (end of June) and I'll plant more.

Thank you Susan! Gonna give it a go!

Okay let's check back in later this fall :)    BTW where are you in Spain?   Is your climate considered temperate like mine or colder?

[quote=Susan Pruitt]Okay let's check back in later this fall :)    BTW where are you in Spain?   Is your climate considered temperate like mine or colder?[/quote]
Susan, I'm in inland Galicia, sort of a wet 8 ish I believe.