Potatoes are one thing I shall continue to grow. Even when I had the allotment, I grew my potatoes in containers at home so there won't be any difference there. When I went in to Wilkinsons last week, I noticed that this year, they're selling some of their potato varieties loose so that you can fill a bag with as many varieties as you want to try. I have problems finding Anya so I was really pleased when I saw that this is one of the varieties they're selling loose. Unfortunately, they had very few of these seed potatoes left so I went back this week once they'd restocked and filled a bag with them. I also bought a net of Arran Pilot, the variety I've grown for the last few years and one which I'm very pleased with.
The 2kg net of Arran Pilots cost me £2.75 and the bag I filled with Anyas was £1.50. I weighed these when I got home and there's about 1.25kg in the bag. There's two sizes of bag you can fill, the larger size costs £2.50. I could have filled the bag with a selection of varieties but I've decided to stick to these two favourites this year.
Potatoes are very easy to grow and there's nothing quite like the taste of the first spud harvest each year. I never scrape them, they're delicious in their skins boiled in water with a sprig of mint then drained and smothered in butter. I can't wait.
Good luck with the planting.
ReplyDeleteLiz
They've been put out to chit. I've learnt my lesson not to plant too early, they don't like it!
Deletepotatoes are one food I could never give up, these look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't either. I do love new potatoes, I look forward to the first harvest every year.
DeleteI must find a space to plant potatoes, your post so inspiring and like you just a sprig of mint to enhance the flavours.
ReplyDeleteDo plant some, even if you've only got room for a couple of buckets. You can buy small packs with just five tubers in. There's no taste quite like the first new potato of the season.
DeleteWe have our seed potatoes and will plant them on Ash Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteGood Friday is the traditional day for planting potatoes here but Easter is early this year so I might hang on a bit. I've got the seed potatoes chitting now, I don't want them growing spindly shoots before it's time to plant.
DeleteIt's good to see that you got both the varieties and quantities you wanted. I agree what you say about the taste of home grown things.
ReplyDeleteLike you I can't wait either. Flighty xx
I could have done with less Arran Pilot really but they weren't selling those individually, I'm sure I'll use them up though as they're my dad's favourite. I shall have to be selective with what I grow this year now that I have little space but potatoes and tomatoes are definites. I'm sure spring will be here before we know it.
DeleteYou just can't beat home grown fruit / vegetables.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up we always had a small vegetable patch ... and I think if we can encourage the young to have an interest in home grown foods, teach them about whole fresh foods then that has to be a plus.
Happy growing - can't wait to hear about the results later in the year.
All the best Jan
I totally agree. There's so many kids these days who think that vegetables come out of tins or the freezer, they have no idea of how they're grown. It's such a shame because not only are fresh veggies so good for us, gardening is such a great hobby too, and good for keeping us fit. A win win situation and there aren't too many of those about these days.
DeleteI've been growing spuds in potato bags in my garden since I gave the allotment up. I get a good crop and they're so tasty, must go and get some seed potatoes son too.
ReplyDeleteGrowing them yourself is so worthwhile. As well as being tasty, there's so many varieties to try which you can't buy in the shops. I've always done well growing them in containers, the yields have been good.
DeleteWe have two containers that we grow potatoes and have been pleased with the yield. Have never tried Anyas so might give them a try this year.
ReplyDeleteAnyas don't always give the best yield but saying that, they did brilliantly last year. Even when the harvests aren't plentiful, I'm still pleased I've grown them as they're my favourite spud, such a lovely flavour and great for salads as they've a waxy potato.
DeleteWe have ordered one or two varieties bagged but one of our local garden centres is having a potato weekend next weekend and will have 50 varieties that can be bought as individual tubers so we can try out some different varieties and they are cooking some to taste too.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having a taste test before you buy. I bought three tubers of three new to me varieties last year, nine tubers in total, but none of them impressed me, I'm back to my favourite two this year. I think it's a good idea being able to buy individual tubers though, I certainly wouldn't buy a whole bag just to try a new variety but I can certainly be tempted when I'm able to buy just a couple of tubers to try.
DeleteHope you enjoy your potato growing this year! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will, and I'll enjoy the potato eating even more.
DeleteHomegrown potatoes were such a revelation this year! We are still eating from our stores but our very mild fall resulted in warmer cold cellar temps and some of them have started to sprout. I'll not be purchasing any seed potato this year, but attempting to use some of the potatoes I saved from last year. I placed them in boxes surrounded by shredded paper & am hoping they will be ok until chitting time, which is still a couple of months away. I had better check on them, just in case they are starting to sprout as well.
ReplyDeleteI've bought my seed potatoes rather early but I didn't want to risk them selling out. I've put them out to chit straight away to avoid them starting to sprout but they'll be there for some time before it's time to plant them. If you find your potatoes starting to grow spindly shoots, just knock them off and lay out the ones you're going to use to chit, it will prevent them putting out useless shoots and they'll put their energy in to shoots they'll need when planted.
DeleteI can't get to a larger town for a couple of weeks and I doubt I'll get seed potatoes locally. So I just hope they still have some when I do! I MAY HAVE TO GET THE DAUGHTER ON THE CASH. Jo may container spuds were useless. I may try again! Do you have any tips?
ReplyDeleteDon't panic, I've bought mine really early and I'm sure there'll be plenty left when you get to buy them. My biggest tip for growing potatoes in containers is to make sure they're well watered. Containers dry out much faster than the ground does so they may need watering even when it's rained. In dry weather they sometimes need watering more than once a day. Good luck, don't forget to let us know how you get on.
DeleteOh I can't believe it's time to start thinking about potatoes already :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to nip into our Wilkos tomorrow to see if they are selling them loose Jo. I was in the store last week but the seed potatoes they had then were all bagged up. As you say you can't beat home grown for taste.
I've bought my seed potatoes early but it does come round quickly each year, doesn't it? I was surprised when I saw loose tubers in Wilkos, they've always sold them by the bag before but I'm pleased I've managed to find somewhere which sells Anya, I usually have a real problem sourcing them, especially in smaller quantities which I want.
DeleteOh I love potatoes. Even you talking about them makes my mouth water! :oD
ReplyDeleteMine too. I can't wait until they're ready to harvest and they aren't even planted yet.
DeleteWe have just bought our seed potatoes as well Jo, four different types, I do so wish we could buy them loose to try different types. Yours are roughly half the price that we have to pay here. We also normally plant on Good Friday but as I was given a moon planting book this Xmas I will see what it says.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you can't buy your seed potatoes loose, it's such a good way to give different varieties a try. I used to buy my potatoes from the allotment shop and they were cheaper still. I'm really interested by moon planting but I doubt I'd be organised enough to follow it.
DeleteOoh you are making my mouth water.......
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting eagerly for that first harvest, a highlight of the growing year.
DeleteWe used to grow a lot of potatoes when we shared an allotment with our daughter. Growing in containers is the best way for us now. My husband has his favourite, which is Desiree. Buying loose is a good idea especially if you just want a small quantity. All the best. I hope you get a good crop as there's nothing better than new potatoes as well as growing and harvesting as and when.
ReplyDeleteI think potatoes are like tomatoes, so many different varieties to try. I've found two I'm very happy with so I've decided to stick to these this year. Growing in containers is great for us too, they always come out clean and blemish free growing this way too.
DeleteI'd never thought to grow them in pots, might have give it a go!
ReplyDeleteI grew my potatoes in containers even when I had the allotment as they come out so clean and pest free. It's always exciting too, tipping out the pot and seeing what's grown. Definitely try it.
DeleteI didn't know you could grow potatoes in containers. That could actually work for me where I live. I love the idea of buying a mixed assortment of potatoes and you have so many varieties I don't think I've even heard of. I love potatoes and could eat them every day, in any kind of preparation!
ReplyDeletePotatoes are great grown in containers, they come out so clean. The only thing you need to remember is to water them well, especially in dry climates. It would be a great project for your kids, it's so exciting tipping out the container to see what's grown.
DeleteYou can't beat homegrown potatoes!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I always grow enough so that I can share them with my mum and dad, they love them too.
DeleteGlad to hear you're still going to keep growing Jo, I think once you've grown something yourself you would really miss it if you just stopped!!
ReplyDeleteI had a really good crop of new potatoes last year..one of the few things that were early enough for me to do something about....never did get the king edward's out the ground though...will be hopefully finding out in a few weeks whether they actually did anything!!
I couldn't just stop growing my own, even with little space there are still things you can grow. My potatoes were brilliant last year, I wish I knew why so that I could replicate it this year.
DeleteI've never grown potatoes, but there were some in this garden (only thing in the veg beds) and they were OK, but I'll admit to our blueberries tasting much better than store bought and tomatoes, which are now starting to ripen. Have fun and take care.
ReplyDeletePotatoes are fun to grow, especially in containers when you tip them up to find out how they've done, it's like searching for treasure. I envy your tomatoes, it will be a while before we've got home grown ones ready to eat but it won't be long until we're sowing the seeds now.
DeleteGlad to hear you already have your taters! I agree, you can't beat the taste of a freshly picked spud....boiled and lashed with butter! Yum!xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit early really but I didn't want to risk the ones I want selling out. I've had problems in the past finding Anya so I was pleased to see that Wilkinsons have started selling them.
DeleteI've never even thought about growing those. We certainly eat enough of them to justify it!
ReplyDeletePotatoes are one of my favourite things to grow, there's so many varities that it's fun trying them all to find the ones you like.
DeleteYou are getting organised. We grew some in pots a couple of times. If I can do it and I've got no gardening ability then they must be easy to do.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I think it's something which anyone can do, and it's lots of fun when it comes to harvesting and eating them.
DeleteGood for you for getting them early, Jo. I might try some potatoes in containers this year. Homegrown certainly taste so much better, don't they. xx
ReplyDeleteThey definitely do. I've found varieties which we all enjoy so they're regulars to grow now.
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