As you know, I tried growing some potatoes in containers for Christmas, but even though the containers were placed in a cold greenhouse and wrapped in fleece they still got frosted and the plants died back. I didn't empty the containers before Christmas as even the compost they were growing in was like a block of ice, but hubby got round to emptying them yesterday and this is what he found. It's not a huge harvest but there would have been enough to put on six plates on Christmas day had we managed to empty them then. The best performer was Carlingford, and the other two varieties are Vivaldi and Maris Peer. The seed potatoes were sold later in the year especially for planting for Christmas, however, the yield certainly doesn't justify the cost so this year I'll plant some of the first earlies I harvest to try for a Christmas harvest again.The everbearing strawberry plants, Flamenco, which I ordered have been delivered so I will spend this afternoon planting them in pots. I'll leave them in the greenhouse until later in the year when I've prepared the bed they will be residing in. It should give them some time to establish some healthy roots before being planted out.
I'm also going to plant my shallots in to plantpots rather than straight out at the plot. The allotment is very boggy at present so they may rot if planted out now, but starting them off in pots will give them a head start.
the potatoes look delish bet you were glad you emptied the bags. I've just pulled up 4 leeks, not mamouth but for a small veg plot they will be perfect for tonights dinner with cheese sauce!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice surprise to find those waiting for you! Im following your example and doing my planting into pots this year - if nothing else it might give things a chance to get established boefore the chickens and the mice get at them!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have some fresh spuds at this time of the year. I've just put my shallots in pots, first time I've done this so will see if it's better than planting direct.
ReplyDeleteIt’s great to see that the potatoes weren’t a complete loss. And you did get a good harvest from them.
ReplyDeleteThere's certainly a difference variety wise Jo.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad haul compared to some I've seen! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good crop considering. I was really happy with Maris Peer this year and thought they stored well.
ReplyDeleteOh I love a potato crop, such an exciting find. I only grew them for the first time last year, and was immediately enamoured with the hunt for them!
ReplyDeleteYours look great :)
So nice you got a surprise batch of potatoes. I am sure they will do even better next year.
ReplyDeleteAnd so cool you got a new strawberry. I did too, everbearing, could not resist getting it, they are very hard to come by here.
I think that is a great show of potatoes Jo, better late than never I always say...unfortunately for me mine are in the latter category!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a shame you couldn't get to them for your Christmas Day lunch, but better late than never! They look pretty nice Jo. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
x
I am glad that we didn't just dispose of the bags, Amanda. It's nice to have some fresh grown potatoes at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to do more direct sowing this year, frerangegirl. I usually tend to start most things off in pots but this year I'm going to try and cut down on the work involved.
I managed to get my shallots planted in to plantpots, Damo. I haven't done this before either so it'll be interesting to see how they do.
I don't think the harvest was too bad considering, Vrtlarica. I'll definitely give it another go this year.
I like trying different varieties of most things for this exact reason, Green Lane Allotments. Not everything will do well for everyone so it's good to experiment. I know you're the same.
I was quite surprised by the amount, Flighty. I thought the frost would have finished the lot off.
The Maris Peer were the ones which cropped the least, Kelli. Obviously, things may have been different if the growing conditions were better. I'm glad that they did well for you and stored well too.
Thanks for visiting, Ali. I love the hunt for potatoes too, so exciting when you find them amongst the earth. Home grown taste so good too.
I'll try again next year, fer, hopefully conditions will be a little better then. I'm looking forward to trying the everbearing strawberries. I'm hoping to extend the growing season with them as we do love our strawberries.
I'm pleased with the potatoes, Tanya. I was very surprised at the amount as I wasn't expecting anything at all. Hope you'll try again next year when the weather might be a little better.
It would have been nice to have them with our Christmas dinner, Jeanne, but they're just as welcome now. We'll give it another go next year.
Dear Jo, I am so glad all was not lost with your spuds, although it was a shame you didn't have any for Christmas. I can't wait to start planting things in pots again, as you are, but my garden will be under snow for weeks yet. Enjoy your potatoes! P x
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that there was a crop in those containers Jo and hope that they taste good. I think that sowing your own will be the best way to go this year. I planted garlic in pots last week with the same thinking as behind your shallots - they are already rooting.
ReplyDeleteI'll try again this year to get some spuds on the Christmas dinner plate, Pam. We gardeners don't give up easily. It won't be long until your gardening season gets started again.
ReplyDeleteI haven't eaten any of the potatoes yet, Anna, but I'm going to enjoy tasting the difference between the three varieties. I don't grow garlic as we don't tend to eat much of it.