The plot is covered with little white markers now, where we’ve planted up this year’s potato crop. In all honesty, I think we’re going to have more potatoes than we could ever need, but we have good reason for planting so many.
Over the last couple of years the plot has started to sink a bit as the ground has settled inside the sleepers. It has also become less fertile: last year’s crops were quite disappointing. By planting it up with so many potatoes rather than growing them in bags as we usually do, we’ll be forced to earth them up using good quality compost as we don’t have enough top soil to service them.
This will replenish the plot over the course of the summer and, as we dig up the vegetables through the autumn and winter, it will naturally break up the soil, leaving it ready for planting up with our more traditional crops next year.
Fortunately we still have a little space at the end closest to the house to plant up this year’s beans, which are going great guns in the greenhouse just now.
So, what do we have under those 31 markers? Three varieties: the two rows furthest from the house are Blue Danube. The closest two rows are Arran Pilot and the two rows in the middle are Red Rooster, one of our favourite everyday potato varieties.
Can’t wait to get baking them…
A seed potato
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey guys,
Tatters are great and can be one of the most rewarding of all crops as it is a complete surprise as to how many and what size you will find down below. Also on the hand to that they can be sadly disappointing. I am hoping for you it is the first option! I love the King Edwards and Russet Burbank (great for fries) but best of luck! I am sure it will be great fun.
Every time I read about someone planting their potatoes I feel a pang of guilt that I haven’t started yet. Grrr.
On the issue of earthing up, I recently saw an episode of the edible garden on BBC where Alys, the presenter, used grass cuttings to earth up her spuds. Might be of some use to you for enriching your soil. I have not tried it, but my interest was peaked as this would help me get rid of my grass cuttings (whenever I get round to mowing!).