On Saturday I went to the 25th Annual East Anglian Potato Day - the longest running event of it's kind in the country! Organised by Ipswich Organic Gardeners; Suffolk Organic Gardeners and Norfolk Organic Gardeners groups and held at Stonham Barns (the place not too far from home where I go for the local boot-sale.).
I got there earlier than last year so was very near the front of the queue, only a dozen people in front of me and 100 behind
Blimey he looks older - he used to always have a long plait down his back, but now just a top-knot and beard.
Here's a blurry photo of him with microphone, encouraging everyone to grow more spuds. He says the secret for Norfolk and Suffolk potatoes is as much watering as possible, which is all very well, but I have enough watering to do with the greenhouse stuff plus the beans, squash and courgettes.
I just bought a few Home Guard and Foremost and more of Charlotte - my favourite. No point taking up my limited space with too many as I don't eat a lot of potatoes nowadays, but it would feel strange to grow none at all.
As well as about 80 varieties of potatoes there are other stalls too and I managed to nab another free jute bag from the Local Councils Recycling Stand- even though they said last year they wouldn't have them again.
I was tempted by this.......so tempted that I bought it...............a small pottery bowl from a lady called The Vegan Potter, mostly she does one-off unique pieces. This bowl has a lovely glaze - a beautiful colour. Not sure what to use it for though. Sure I'll think of something.
I also loved this bigger bowl below and took a (poor) photo of it especially for Joy. It's made from small squares of clay all overlapping slightly and shaped in a mould (a bowl lined with something - newspaper? can't remember what she said), It looks amazingly complicated.
This is a better photo of it from her web site below
So now I have my seed potatoes and my seed packets and called into a garden centre after Stonham for my compost.............I'm ready for growing - just need the right weather.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Those bowls are beautiful. No wonder you couldn't resist getting one.
ReplyDeleteI've just bought some Charlotte seed potatoes too - I love Charlottes, they have such flavour.
xx
I must try some overlapping shapes - such an interesting idea.
Deletexx
I saw this and thought it might be a new thing for you to try - certainly different.
DeleteGoodness,is that a year gone by..I can remember you going last year!.It looks an interesting day out and I love the bowl that you bought.I have got some seeded potatoes that I found at the back of the cupboard from before Christmas,lol.So I am saving them,for when the weathers milder and planting in the garden.Ive done this for the last couple of years,even just cutting the sprouting end off and planting has resulted in growing some good sized spuds!And some very small ones as well,lol.xx
ReplyDeleteTime flies doesn't it, it's a favourite morning out and I would miss growing spuds although now only have room for a few
DeleteI have several jute bags that I use for groceries as they are so much stronger than other bags available. I've not grown potatoes for several years now, but may try a few next season. They taste so much better than bought ones that have been killed off with sprays before harvesting.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer this type of bag for shopping, have managed to collect several free and from car boot sales I get in a tangle with the handles when loading shopping into cotton bags
DeleteLove potatoes! I have found, though, you can overwater which results in big but flavourless produce. Pretty colour on your bowl.
ReplyDeleteI just don't have the energy or water to water potatoes much but I need to do a bit to stop the ants invading again
DeleteCharlotte potatoes are the finest of all in my view and I grow them every year.
ReplyDeleteMe Too
DeleteWe've grown Desiree quite successfully, but others not so well. Best, Jane
ReplyDeleteOver the years we tried all sorts but Charlotte are my favourite - a lovely taste
DeleteLove that smaller bowl with the spout. So beautiful and could be really useful too for draining through a sieve and pouring.
ReplyDeleteI loved the glaze colours on the little bowl
DeletePleased you had a good day out and got your potatoes, I like the bowl nice colour and a useful size.
ReplyDeleteHope you had no trouble with the bag weather over the weekend, it's still very windy here.
Hazel c uk
Not too much wind damage here - just my new willow roll fencing
DeleteI have a virtually identical bowl as yours, the one with the lip. It's brilliant for batters and when whisking up eggs for Alan as the pourer means I spill less.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'll grow many potatoes this year, maybe just a couple of plants in large pots at the Van.
After losing several spuds to destruction from ants last summer I debated on if I should bother this year but then couldn't resist going to Potato day as I've been nearly every year since the start
DeleteYou are set!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGuess you did not get snow. Another blogger did, so I was wondering how many did...
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Northern England and Scotland I think. No snow here
DeleteI like growing potatoes, particularly when you get to where you have to hunt for them in the soil.
ReplyDeleteI would miss not growing a few
DeleteTime does go fast, I remember you going to this last year. I find it amazing there are so many varieties of potatoes! The ones you name I don't think we have here but they do sound interesting. One of my favorites here is the Yukon Gold.
ReplyDeleteI love the pottery bowl you purchased. It looks like it has a pour spout which could make it handy for sauces. That large bowl is certainly unique and beautiful.
Oh my the trolls have attacked again haven't they. I love the bowl you bought, it's such a spring color. My mom used to grow potatoes on the slope behind their house. She loved the little peruvian purples and reds. I love potatoes and might attempt with some boxes. It's awfully windy right now and I don't know if I should get tomatoes started or not. Late March is usually the best for Southern CA.
ReplyDeletePotatoes are good for the soil aren’t they? Used to love watching Bob when he was on gardeners world...a long time ago now though. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to hear Bob Flowerdew talk about spud growing. Nice varieties you chose.
ReplyDelete