Planting potatoes
This month I have been planting out potatoes, with the help of Shelley (our gardener) and some of the regular garden volunteers. We have two borders set aside for potatoes, to separate the modern from the heritage varieties.
The modern varieties (bred since 1950) give higher yields, and have improved disease resistance. These potatoes are grown on the main border, and we select mainly first early and second early ones to avoid the problem of blight. We are however growing 'Sarpo Axona' (main crop), because of its resistance to blight.
The heritage varieties (pre 1950), have usually survived because of their different flavour, and may have links with a particular area. We grow the 'Gloucester Black Kidney'; a small blue skinned main crop, (blight resistant). We are trying 'Pink Fir Apple' (main crop), because this is popular as a salad potato in the Restaurant.
Our method for planting potatoes
We mulched the main border with well rotted wood chips and leaf mould last autumn. This reduced leaching and suppressed the weeds. Using the planting layout we prepared the border:
- Set out a line, and use a hoe to create drills 10cm (4in) deep. Space the rows 45cm (18in) apart (60cm/24in for main crops)
- Place the chitted potatoes 30-38cm (12-15in) apart, with the chitted eye facing upwards
- Cover the drills, mounding over slightly, without compacting the soil
- Label the rows
- Mulch between the rows with mown grass, compost, and woodchip to suppress weeds
Elsewhere in the garden
In the polytunnel we have been pricking out the salad and vegetable seedlings such as lettuce, parsley, and cabbage into small pots/modules to grow on, prior to planting out.
We have continued successional direct sowing of salad crops such as lettuce ‘Webb’s Wonderful’ and radish ‘Cherry Belle’, as well as perpetual leaf spinach (a bolt resistant variety) and beetroot ‘Boltardy’ (bolt resistant). I also have to keep a check on pests such as slugs, and replace damaged crops when necessary.
I will continue direct seed sowing and planting out of plants from modules/pots. We will also be developing a small border for heritage salads and vegetables.
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