2nd April 2016 – A day I will never forget, planting my first ever potatoes!
Due to bad weather my plans of joining the Easter potato planting tradition were scuppered. My fingers have been tightly crossed all this week, hoping for some luck and sunshine this weekend.
I woke up to the sun shining this morning and by midday, temperatures up to 17c.So no ‘jackets’ required, quite ironic as it was spud day. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
Potato day has arrived!
After posting Time for a ‘Chit’ Chat back in February, a very kind friend messaged me and advised that her father in-law is a potato doctor and holds the highest yield of potatoes per acre in the UK record! Now this is one of those comments that causes a million and one questions popping into your mind at once…predominately..a what, how, why?!
But no…I have to stay cool…stay cool…
So I won’t give any of the tips and advice away because that would just be rude, let’s just say that my plans didn’t go ahead due to the scheduled rain this evening.
Four trenches to dig and 2kg of potatoes to plant, 1kg Charlotte and 1kg Sarpo Mira both from Dobies.
My method of researched madness:
– Dug all the trenches roughly 10cm deep, approx. 70cm between rows
– Heavy clay soil, so lined the trenches with a combination of compost and well rotted manure.
– Left the trenches to warm up for two hours
– Using a tape measure, I placed the potatoes in the trenches, chits upwards.
– Charlotte – 37cm apart, Sarpo Mira – 45 cm apart.
– Time to cross my fingers again and tuck them into bed…..nervous..
– All four trenches covered up, and towered to approximately 20cms
– Gently watered ahead of the forecasted rain
Job done!
This is the first time I have done any watering at No.27. It gave me a small insight into the watering challenge I have ahead to experience when the plot is in full swing and everything is growing.
Let’s say, I am very pleased the water trough is right near my plot.
Are you growing spuds? Planted yours yet?
2nd April is now officially Spud Day!
Just waiting for this weekend, Warm weather scheduled and it all coincides with a couple of days off work!
I will be taking a trip to get some compost and spudding will be done. No sleep will be had… But potatoes will be! B-)
Enjoy 🙂
Ours went in last weekend. Our first time growing in open ground, I was just as excited as you! Can’t wait to hear their progress.
It’s very exciting and a little nervous, have never grown them in bags or ground. Thank you, looking forward to hearing yours too.
Looking good. A far neater job than mine I have to say!
Thank you! Haha, I’m sure the potatoes don’t care how neat it is 🙂
Ha. Well done Belle. I assume that you missed out on the traditional ‘ Mr Potato Head dance’ after ridging up your trenches!
Thank you! What?! There is a dance?! haha
Just a bit of a tradition when the grandchildren are helping to plant them. Interesting though, it always seems to work!
Sounds brilliant! I’m sure my niece will find a dance for something when she comes and helps me.
I forgot to mention that there is a great site on the internet for the potato council which provides information on the characteristics of every conceivable variety in production. Provides information on susceptibility to pest and diseases. Really useful. I’m growing Rocket as an early and Harmony as a main.
Ooo..I will have to take a look, thank you 🙂
How exciting! I’m sure you’ll give the spud doc a run for this money 🙂
haha, I can dream!
Well done you!! Looks like you have had a really productive day on the plot!!
Thank you very much! Definitely feels like it too! ha
I must put in some 2nd earlies this Sunday April 3rd. Kestrel, wilja, international kidney will go in!! 😉
Exciting! Looking forward to hearing how you get on
Fantastic! If you are like me, every trip to the plot will have you studying the soil waiting to see your first potato plants peeking through! Still no sign of my earlies – I am actually quite glad as we still have a few frosts to contend with.
Haha, I already want to go check! I definitely will be the same! It’s raining here now so they will be getting a good water after the heat we have had today and due tomorrow. I am hoping I have planted mine deep enough to avoid the frost but have some fleece ready just in case.
Ha ha I’m glad its not just me then!
I’m sure they will be fine. Hopefully by the time they start showing through the soil we will be passed the frost period. Looking forward to seeing how they come along.
Congratulations on those first spuds – lots more planting and harvesting to come for you!
Thank you, I know, it all starts getting very exciting now, don’t you think?!
It certainly does, sowed my first seeds outside yesterday!
Which seeds did you do? Hoping to do carrots, spring onions and beetroot soon!
Beetroot, chard, rocket & kale. Hope to get some others in next weekend
Ooo..will have to check the instructions on my kale too. I keep trying to squeeze more in to my plans ha.
Mine went in 2 weeks ago, but I am cheating ….. They are in containers in the polytunnel. And yes daily checks for the first shoots are definitely part of my routine ( sometimes twice daily!). Good luck with yours ☺
Thank you. Good luck too, which varieties are doing? haha, glad you are doing daily checks too.
I have Red Duke of York, Lady Crystal and Charlotte planted. Also have Nadine yet to be planted, I think they will go outside.
Well done. The real fun is when you dig them up in a few months time, it’s like looking for buried treasure. I’ve planted a few with the rest to follow over the next week or two. I dig individual holes rather than a trench. As I may have previously mentioned Charlotte are my favourites.
Happy gardening. xx
Thank you Mike. I can’t wait, not sure how many to expect really so it will be fun. I have read roughly 5-10 potatoes off each plant though. Happy gardening and the sun is shining 🙂 x
I’ve done my first earlies (Pentland Javelin) but my second earlies will prob go in next weekend. Good luck with your first crop!
Thank you! Good luck too and I look forward to hearing how yours do
Awesome update the only ones which have not come up yet are the ones i planted for Christmas happy gardening