Trying something different this year ...

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Webmaster, Mar 15, 2010.

  1. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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    Going to be growing some Heritage potatoes, in particular the Shetland Blacks .... Yum yum.

    We (for the last couple of years) have had these for our Christmas dinner and they are soooo packed with flavour.

    Anyone else had them ?
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Very interesting, just googled them as I'd never heard of that variety before, the seed looks expensive, do you keep a few back to grow again next season? (that's what I do with my Pink Fir Apple as they are a bit different and expensive to buy)
     
  3. Hartley Botanic

    Hartley Botanic Gardener

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    I've not grown them but I have tasted them and YUM, good choice!
     
  4. spes123

    spes123 Apprentice Gardener

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    I hadn't heard of them either but they do sound like a good variety to grow. I have put them onto my list to try next year as I already have my seeds for this year.
     
  5. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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    The only place I could find them was Ebay of all places :hehe:

    When you think that a small bag of these at Waitrose costs around £2.50 and 10 seeds cost £1.50 + postage, I don't think they are too bad.

    This is who I got mine through :-

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-x-SHETLAND...arden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN?hash=item35a72487ec

    I will however, be keeping back a few for seed next year though.

    I think the only problems with this variety is the lack of yield, being the reason they are not farmed more and this is reflected in the cost I suppose.
     
  6. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    How do you keep seed potatoes from one year until the next without them sprouting?

    Steve...:)
     
  7. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Steve; keep them somewhere cool (frost free) & dry.
     
  8. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    Many thanks John!

    Steve...:)
     
  9. Makka-Bakka

    Makka-Bakka Gardener

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    .
    Though not if you have had bligh anywhere near.

    The potatoes will not then keep to the next planting season, but if they do, you will only transfer blight from one season to the next!

    I know people on here advocate saving their own seed, and no doubt they might get away with doing so, but it is still a risk.

    Seed potatoes are grown in certain parts of the country,usually above 500 feet, to minimise the risk of blight and viruses infecting the seed.

    That is why it says certified seed on the packs!

    Cheers!
     
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