Tatties 2017

Bought my first seed spuds yesterday, 10 x Picasso from Wilkos, £1.50 for a small bag full [1] that weighed just under 1Kg. I've also ordered 2.5Kg of Kondor seed spuds (these are normally difficult to buy locally as not many outlets sell them).

Don't normally buy them this early (would ideally get them when reduced towards end of planting season) but these are the 2 varieties I grow for the 'heaviest potatoes' show class which have all but one shoot removed prior to planting and allowing time to heal, then they're brought on in trays (so any further shoots can be removed) then transplanted to pots before planting in open ground in raised beds under cloches.

Unfortunately I had severe problems with scab last year which prevented my best spuds breaking the 3lbs barrier. They would have grown much heavier, but stalled at less than 3lbs each and then proceeded to rot.

[1] Wilkos loose seed spuds have dramatically increased in price, 10 medium/large'ish size spuds for 0.95Kg. That's about twice the price they were last year!

 

Got my Arran Pilots last week.

One of the highlights of my gardening year is always that first mouthful of succulent, tasty new potatoes in early summer.

 

Think I'm gonna have to nip out and have a nose tomorrow

 

Lots of 'Potato Days'[ coming up soon, hey @Zigs there's one at Bridport tomorrow!

First one of the season
Saturday, 7th January 2017 10.00am - 1.30pm
Bridport Potato Day
Bridport United Church
East Street
Bridport DT6 3LY
Free Admission, refreshments.

 

Don't know if I'm giving it a go this year. Very disheartened by last year's attempt.

If the local club run the same competition this year, and give out a free potato, I may just do it with fingers crossed.

 

Ta Scrunge, but working tomorrow

 

Picket up Rocket (@JWK) and Maris Peer (lovely for mashing last year) today in Wilko £2.25 for 2kg. Going to pick up a second early/maincrop type but not sure what yet.

Ah go for it @"M"

 

I probably sound like a broken record, but cant be bothered with earlies, only grow Pink Fir apple.
They, after September are as good as earlies for the whole winter, when used with salads.
Other uses also, but mashing them is a crime.

 

I bought Pentland Javelin at Wilko today, all the Onion sets sold out. Waiting for Poundland to get rid of the tatty Xmas stuff and get the gardening items on display.

Yes I agree try again "M"

 

Their hessian Santa sacks are now reduced to 25p and would be ideal for storing spuds.

 

What's the variety that's supposed to be similar to PFA but less knobbly?


Getting accomplished at buying reduced shop bought spuds for between 0.75p/Kg to 3.5p/Kg over the last couple of years has made we wonder about giving up on 2nd earlies & maincrop spuds, and concentrating on those for competition (both size & quality) together with small amounts of new and interesting varieties I've not tried before, so will intend visiting a potato day and/or GC that have lots of varieties and will a singles or just a few of individual varieties. (I have heard of some naughty gardeners who, to get around minimum quantities at some GCs selling loose spuds, take very small, labelled plastic bags, place single spuds in them and put them in the middle of a bigger bag of seed spuds)

 

I dont know, didn't know there was one.