Sometimes I open my back door to find bunches of chrysanthemums on my doorstep, Mick's uncle is an early riser and his visits to his plot are often at a time when I'm still in bed. It's a lovely surprise to find them waiting right outside the door for me to discover.
Sometimes I get bunches of mixed varieties and mixed colours, he grows some beautiful ones. A benefit of chrysanthemums is that they last for ages.
You may remember that I had some left over potato tubers this year, so as I'd harvest one lot from a container, I got it planted up again in the hope that I might get some new potatoes for Christmas. Things didn't quite go to plan, I'm not really sure what went wrong but after the late planted tubers got going, the foliage suddenly died back. I decided that it wasn't worth giving up the space in the greenhouse for these containers as the potatoes obviously weren't growing as there wasn't any foliage to be seen any longer. On tipping out the containers this is what I found.
Not a huge haul but enough for a meal and a lovely, tasty surprise.
Planting potatoes late in the season can be worthwhile. I'm not sure why the foliage died back so soon on this occasion but at least I got something out of it.
I've never tried a second planting of potatoes, because I don't have a greenhouse, but with the mild Autumn we had this year I think I might have managed a second crop anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think you would have. Lots of things have done really well for much longer this year owing to the mild spell so I'm sure a few late spuds would have grown for you.
DeleteGosh. Those are really great quality blooms. Lucky you - I would really like to wake up and find a fresh flower delivery at my door! Those potatoes look great - it was certainly a worthwhile experiment.
ReplyDeleteMick's uncle does really well with his chrysanths, those and gladiolis are what he devotes part of his plot to. It's a lovely surprise when I open my door and a delivery's waiting for me. There may not be many potatoes but what they lack in quantity they'll make up for in taste.
DeleteHow lovely, I love old fashioned garden flowers.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I think the old fashioned ones are coming back in to favour once again.
DeleteGorgeous flowers - I'd love it if someone left be a bunch! Those potatoes look really good.
ReplyDeleteMy vases are never empty at this time of year. I haven't eaten the potatoes yet but I'm sure they'll be delicious.
DeleteTwo nice surprises. I like chrysanthemums, and if I had more space I'd certainly grow them. The potatoes look good. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I could be bothered with all the care which chrysanthemums require but I certainly enjoy them in the house. The spuds are a very welcome bonus at this time of year.
DeleteHey Jo,
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful colour. What a lovely chap he is.
Leanne xx
The yellows are my absolute favourites. I think they're like big, bold, blousy globes of sunshine at a time when we all need a bit of cheering up, and they certainly do that for me.
DeleteBoth lovely surprises. I have a couple of pots of potatoes left from earlier on in the year. From past experience they should be fine so I will have a rummage this week. Unfortunately Ii don't have any surprise Chrysanthemums here, they truly are lovely flowers x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your potatoes will be fine, these late ones just didn't have long enough to produce anything more but they're a bonus anyway. I'm always pleased with my chrysanthemums, Mick's uncle is very generous with them.
DeleteHow lovely to find bunches of Chrysanthemums at your back door. So charming reminds me of my dear old Dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise Jo............bet they taste good :))
He's been doing it for years now and I never tire of seeing a bunch of beautiful flowers waiting for me. I'm looking forward to using up the spuds, they're a real treat at this time of year.
DeleteOh I recall your comments on my blog about Mick's uncle's chrysanths Jo so it's lovely to see them. What a welcome gift to find on your doorstep. Shame that your plans for Christmas spuds have been thwarted. Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason!
ReplyDeleteHe grows a lovely selection but always saves the most beautiful yellow ones for me as he knows I love them so much. No home grown Christmas spuds this year but I shall try again.
DeleteHow lovely to find bunches of flowers on your doorstep! What a kind relative! Those beautiful chrysanthemums would win prizes I'm sure. Another good surprise were the potatoes. My hubby planted some more in a tub in September in the hope of getting a small crop next month. The leaves haven't died down yet so it will be interesting to see what we get.
ReplyDeleteHe always does so well with his chrysanthemums and I'm lucky enough to share in his success. It bodes well that your late planted potatoes still have foliage, I'm sure they're doing very well and you'll get a good crop next month.
DeleteWow...look at all those potatoes! That's definitely a find.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for potatoes for Christmas but this is the next best thing. Definitely a bonus having new potatoes at this time of year.
DeleteThose mums are absolutely gorgeous - how lucky that you get them freshly delivered to your back door! And your potatoes look wonderful too - I wouldn't give up on the 2nd planting next year. The dying leaves seem like they may have just been a chance occurance.
ReplyDeleteThe chrysanths are absolutely beautiful and they last for ages, they're always very much appreciated. I shall try with late potatoes again, I've been successful with them in the past but it's a bit hit and miss.
DeleteSuch lovely blooms and a gorgeous colour, especially at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThose potatoes look good and as you say made a nice home grown meal ...
All the best Jan
The yellow chrysanths are my very favourite, they're such a lovely colour. New potatoes at this time of year are such a treat, especially when they're home grown.
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