The first container yielded very little, what a disappointment. I'd sown three tubers and got about the same back.
I've had similar experiences in previous years where the potatoes I plant earliest don't produce much. These were sown on 10th of April and we've had lots of rain since then, perhaps they got waterlogged or it was too cold for them, it's been a chilly spring and summer so far.
Undeterred, I decided to empty out a second container of Arran Pilots. These were planted at the same time and the foliage had also died back.
This time, I found more potatoes lurking beneath the soil. Still not a huge yield but more respectable than what I harvested from the first pot.
I'm going to my mum and dad's shortly and I'll take the Arran Pilots with me, they've been waiting patiently for some new potatoes so they'll be pleased with those.
I've also grown some Anyas this year, they're my absolute favourite so I emptied out a container of those too.
I've had mixed results from Anyas in the past, sometimes they don't seem to produce a big harvest but the taste more than makes up for that in my opinion. This time, they've done better than the Arran Pilots. Some of them have a pinky tinge to them which isn't surprising as they're a cross between Pink Fir Apple and Desiree.
These were also planted on 10th of April and are a second early, whereas Arran Pilots are first earlies, so in theory, they should take longer to grow. I think if I'd left them a little longer they'd have grown a bit bigger, but there's some decent sized spuds there. We'll be having them with our turkey dinner this evening.
I've still got lots more containers to empty out so I'm hoping that the later sown potatoes have done a bit better.
It was a sunny day yesterday though rather windy. Archie was out in the garden with us relaxing on the grass.
It was time for his annual vaccination booster last Tuesday and whilst he was at the vet's, he had a routine health check. We got the bad news that he's developed a heart murmur. He's got to return for further tests but we know that heart mitral valve disease is the leading cause of death in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It's a serious, progressive disease which is caused by the deterioration of the heart valves and is about twenty times more common in this breed than others. We haven't noticed any difference in his health at all but we'll know more once further tests have been done.
We enjoyed some lovely celebrations last week, Daniel's graduation and Eleanor's 18th birthday, thank you for all your lovely comments and good wishes for them. While we were enjoying the celebrations, we had this devastating news in the back of our minds. I'm trying not to worry too much until we know exactly what we're dealing with but that's easier said than done.
I sent hubby down the garden to dig up some potatoes yesterday. He dug up two plants and it there was a fair few spuds just from the 2. Really pleased. Your haul may be disappointing to you but its all free with no additives.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a good haul from your two plants. There's enough here for a couple of meals for us and a couple of meals for my mum and dad so I'm glad about that, I just hope the rest of the Arran Pilots are a bit better.
DeleteSorry to hear the bad news about Archie. Life builds you up, then it knocks you down again!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does. He's booked in for a scan on Friday so we'll know more then.
DeleteYou've done well with the potatoes, which I'm sure have suffered in the weather like most vegetables. That's a lovely picture of Archie. I'm sorry to read that about him and hope that the tests are good news. Good to see that you enjoyed yourselves. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's wise to hold back potato sowing until a little later, I often find that the earlier sowings give a much more meagre harvest than the later sowings. I hope the rest of the containers are holding better yields. Archie was content to sit in the sunshine yesterday and watch while we worked in the garden. I'm hoping that the test results aren't as bad as we fear they might me, fingers crossed.
DeleteI hope dear little Archie will be ok xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, me too. It's awful waiting to find out what exactly's wrong.
DeleteI"m impressed withy our container potatoes. I tried a similar thing a few years ago and it was a total failure. Even your container with just the three potatoes looks like a success compared to what I got!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some encouraging news about Archie. It's hard not to worry about our pets. And our children. And so many other things.
I usually have some good results with container grown potatoes, the only thing you really need to watch for is that they get enough water as containers are prone to drying out. Thank you, I know exactly what you mean, I wouldn't be me if I wasn't worrying about something.
DeleteFingers crossed for Archie x My Arran Pilot have done better than the Rocket this year. I planted them towards the end of Easter week (I think). I did vow not to plant as many as last year but failed. Next year I aim to buy small amounts of several different varieties. I have grown Duke of York red and white Sharpe's Express but found them a bit soapy.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I could really do with less potatoes than I sow but buying them in net bags means that you end up with more than you really want and I don't like wasting them. Still, it's usually cheaper than buying in smaller quantities. I'm a big fan of Arran Pilot but Anya are my very favourite. I've grown Sharpe's Express in the past and thought they were good too, a nice taste, my only criticism is that they break easily when cooking.
DeleteWhat a lovely lot of potatoes, we've only grown spuds once, never thought of growing them in tubs, might have to try that next year.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Archie will be ok, our animals are such a big part of our lives aren't they (((hugs)))
I really like growing potatoes in containers as they're always so clean when they're harvested, no damage at all. Thank you, Archie's a huge part of our family, I think any pet is, it doesn't take long for them to work their way into our hearts, does it?
DeleteSuch a shame to hear news about such a loyal friends. Hope its better news than you are expecting. We have been harvesting a little from the garden, reaping the rewards of all the hard work.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. It's hard not to fear the worst in this situation but I'm trying not to worry until we know more. This is a great time of year when all our hard work in the garden starts to pay off. I'm not growing much this year so all my harvests are very precious.
Deletemy brother has a King Charles Spaniel and a year ago they nearly lost h
ReplyDeleteEr with heart problems .Now she is on medication and is fine,a little slower, but still fairly active and giving them a lot of pleasure.So,don't give up.Medication can work wonders but it does remind you that they are not going to live forever and so prepares you .Just enjoy while you can.Rosie has been amazing with her recovery.Vets are very clever.
I'm so pleased to hear that Rosie has responded to medication. It's such a shame that these gorgeous little dogs have these health problems. Archie hasn't shown any symptoms of heart problems so we're hoping things won't be too serious, but you never know. I'll just be pleased when we find out what we're dealing with.
DeleteI am sorry to hear about Archie's heart problems. Keeping my fingers crossed he will be in good health for a long time to come. x
ReplyDeleteThank you. I know there's tablets they can be treated with, it's just a case of finding out exactly what's wrong first. He's booked in for a scan on Friday so we'll know more then.
DeleteOh Jo I'm sorry to read this news about Archie. I hope when you go to the vets he is able to give you some reassurance.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I hope so. I do know that Cavaliers suffer with heart problems so it's not totally out of the blue but it's still quite a shock when it actually happens. I'll just be glad when we know exactly what's what.
DeleteYou can't beat home grown potatoes - we don't have room to grow them, but our lovely neigbours gave us some last week - delicious! Oh, I do hope Archie is ok - if you don't have/haven't had dogs, you don't know how much they mean to you.
ReplyDeleteWe had some of the Anyas with our dinner tonight and they were delicious, I don't think there's anything to equal the taste of the first harvest of the season. Thank you, you're right, they're one of the family.
DeleteI love home grown fruit & veg... My grandad always used to be growing things. We don't seem to have s much luck here.
ReplyDeleteI hope Archie's OK. Take care :)
My grandpa used to have an allotment but that was before I was born, he always grew veggies in his garden though and my dad's grown bits and bobs too. Thank you.
DeleteYou may feel your potato yield was disappointing but they certainly look good and I´m sure they will taste even better knowing they are organic and that you grew them. Pleased for you too as you did say you had lost your gardening mojo. So sorry to hear of Archies condition hoe all goes well at the scan xcx
ReplyDeleteWe had some of the Anyas for dinner last night and they were delicious, they're easily my favourite potato. Thank you, he's booked in for Friday so we'll see what they say then.
DeleteI bet that you thoroughly enjoyed those potatoes.
ReplyDeleteI will keep everything crossed for Archie. We have had worrying time with Tivvy this year nd know how worried you must be.
I did, I always look forward to the first taste of the season. Thank you, our furry friends do cause us some worry, don't they? They're definitely worth it though, I wouldn't be without Archie.
DeleteMy heart lurched when you said that Archie had a heart murmur but then I remembered how well our Rosie did with her meds. I'm sure, if Archie needs them, he'll do well as well. Give him a hug from me.
ReplyDeleteI think in these situations, we always look for positive stories so I'm really pleased to hear that Rosie did well on her meds. Even though heart problems have always been in the back of our minds since we got Archie because of how common they are in Cavvies, it's still a shock when the blow is finally dealt. Thank you, I will, he's getting lots of hugs at the moment.
DeleteSending hugs regarding Archie, they are like children, we had a scare with Grace my cat recently, so I know how you feel. Love your harvest
ReplyDeleteThank you. They are like our children, aren't they? Only an animal lover really understands what we go through at these times.
DeleteLovely looking spuds Jo and do hope they are enjoyed by all the family. Not so good news about Archie. I know several people with Cavaliers & they all worry about that same thing. Hope everything is OK with the next lot of results. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWe all enjoyed the spuds with our dinner last night, they were delicious. Thank you, heart problems are a worry for any Cavvie owner, it's such a common problem in this breed unfortunately.
DeleteFingers crossed for Archie. A lot of the plotholders at the allotent have blight, which we've managed to escape so far. J dug up one plant of our maincrop on Saturday. They're Desirees and the one plant yielded just short of 4lbs, which was amazing. If the rest are like that I won't need to buy any potatoes. The first earlies haven't been quite as good as usual yield wise though.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm sure blight will be a big problem this year because of the weather we've experienced so far, fingers crossed that you carry on managing to avoid it. It sounds like you're going to get a good harvest from your Desirees if that first plant is anything to go by, that's such a good amount from one plant.
DeleteIt's good to get a crop of potatoes even if it's only enough for one family meal. Nothing better than one's own. We have just one pot of them similar size to yours, not lifted yet. Enjoyed the last of the peas yesterday before the plants dry up in this unexpected sunny weather. So sorry to hear the news about your lovely Archie. I know he'll be getting extra TLC. Our pets become part of the family.
ReplyDeleteVery true, it's amazing how the taste really does differ from supermarket bought, nothing quite like home grown. Pets do become part of the family and it's just as upsetting when they're unwell. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Friday and hoping the results aren't as bad as they could be.
DeleteHey Jo,
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up on my blog reading this afternoon. I'm so sorry to hear about Archie. I hope that all went well at his check up on Friday. Honey has a slight murmur that developed when she was seven. She's now nearly ten, and it has progressed any further. So fingers crossed all round.
Leanne xx
Archie's scan is this coming Friday so we don't know any more yet but it does help to know of other doggies who are living perfectly well with heart murmurs. You wouldn't know anything was wrong with him, in fact, I've had him on a bit of a diet recently, he's lost a few pounds and he's running around like a puppy again.
DeleteIt's a funny growing year Jo and my Charlottes are on the small side. Glad to see that your Anyas were more productive than Arran and by the sound of it most delicious too. They are a great potato with salads. I will keep my fingers crossed for Archie and all of you on Friday.
ReplyDeleteEleanor wouldn't eat boiled potatoes until she tried Anyas, and I still hear people say that a potato's a potato, they can't tell the difference between varieties. I suppose that's because they buy bland tasting ones from the supermarket, they should try growing their own. Thank you, I'll be glad when Archie's appointment comes round and we know what's what.
DeleteOh bless Archie, my friend Cavalier King Charles Spaniel had that very thing, hope you can get something to help.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Unfortunately, there's very few Cavaliers that don't have this problem, isn't that sad? We'll know more on Friday after his scan.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about Archies problems, I hope that perhaps it isn't as serious as it might be and that he will be around and living well for a long time yet. Worrying for you I totally appreciate. Hugs to you. xx
ReplyDeleteI hope so too. we're keeping everything crossed that the scan on Friday brings back better results than we fear.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about Archie, I hope all goes well with his scan on Friday. I decided not to grow any potatoes this year, they take up so much room. I might do what my neighbour does and grow them in old feed sacks next year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, we're keeping our fingers crossed. I really like growing potatoes in containers rather than the ground as they come out much cleaner, without any damage. Even when I had the allotment, I still grew my spuds in containers.
DeleteThat's such a lovely photo of Archie ... sorry to read about his problems, a very worrying time.
ReplyDeleteI bet your parents were pleased to get some home grown potatoes.
All the best Jan
Archie's very photogenic, when he decides to sit still for me. It's always worrying when there's anything wrong with our pets, they're one of the family. My parents were very pleased with the potatoes, I'll be emptying another container for them this weekend.
DeleteOh Jo, I do hope all goes well for Archie, I can imagine how worried you are. Hopefully you've caught this quick and all will be well with your sweet boy. I bet you enjoyed those potatoes as your parents did.xxx
ReplyDeleteI do hope so, we're still waiting for the results from the scan, I'm hoping we hear something today. The potatoes were delicious and my parents enjoyed them too.
DeleteThose potatoes do look wonderful - 2 out of 3 pots with a successful harvest isn't bad at all, considering the lousy weather you have been having.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry to hear about Archie. Fingers crossed that this is not heart mitral valve disease and rather something that is treatable.
I always seem to get a container or two of the early planted potatoes which don't do as well as the others, the later planted ones usually do much better. Thank you, we still don't know any more about Archie, he had his scan on Friday but we're still waiting to hear, I'm hoping we find something out later on today.
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