Monthly Archives: September 2013

success, Taking stock

Pay the Piper, my lady: Maris Piper and Lady Balfour

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If there had to be a pretty potato contest, then Maris piper or lady balfour would be worthy contenders. I have arrived at that decision, as the King Eds are ugly in comparison. King Eds look like battle weary cavaliers in comparison to today’s furtled crop. It was definitely a two man job. I started to furtle and pick out; with ma then joining me. Ma has a technique for everything, she furtles; lobs them at me. I then pick them up and stick them in the bucket.

The king eds are drawn gasps and grimaces, these drew ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’. These were potatoes that looked familiar. Like the stuff found in supermarkets. Decent enough sized too. Not many tiny, new potato type tubers; in comparison to the king eds.

All of these were grown in horse poop. But the maris pipers and lady balfour were buried a bit deeper, I think. The king ed bed, whilst it had lots of poop, sank a lot in comparison. Also, lady balfour and maris piper, don’t seem to have had as many chunks taken out of them, compared to the King Eds.

Now all that remains is to eat them!

Yours in anticipation,

Horticultural Hobbit

Taking stock

Not just an aloo; but a home grown aloo

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At the weekend, mama h and I; furtled and dug up the potatoes. Today, I wanted to bring some home as ma is a bit worried that they would melt in the rain or something. They have, been there for a few days.

Using a make shift container-plastic bag, lined with some brown paper-I first picked out the small king eds. small, as in tiny, new potato sized things. These are too be fair. The one disappointment of main crops, in this experience.

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That left me with this remainder:

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At which point, I thought, how many spuds do you actually have. This may take you a while. Might have to wait til those in the bucket have been eaten.

So I then settled picking up some more ‘proper’ sized king eds.

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Think these look reasonable enough.
And then looked at the pile again.

Am gonna need a bigger bucket.

Squashes

Bruno 2013

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This years Bruno the Ghostrider. A little smaller than perhaps I would have thought at this time of the year. Also, smaller than the previous version of Bruno. Perhaps he needs feeding.

The vine is yet to die off, just a bit weather beaten.

chillies, classroom experimentation

Peck of purple peppers

These are purple beauty sweet peppers from the real seed company. Have been moved from the Wendy and live for the moment in the poly.

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Compared to initial fruits, these are somewhat bigger.

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A collection of sweet peppers and chillies harvested from the poly.

chillies, classroom experimentation

Peck of purple peppers

These are purple beauty sweet peppers from the real seed company. Have been moved from the Wendy and live for the moment in the poly.

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Compared to initial fruits, these are somewhat bigger.

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A collection of sweet peppers and chillies harvested from the poly.

In a bit of pickle, success

Just beet it

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Have had limited Success with beetroot; can never get it to the huge wrecking ball size. These could been any of the bonel, cylindra or boltardy that were broadcast sown. Look reasonable enough.

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success, Uncategorized

Fit for a king: King Edwards’s Potato’s

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I’ve never grown spuds before. Last year, was a complete and utter slug fest. So there was heightened anticipation with the onset of September, the wilting and keeling over of foliage. Today, king Edwards potatoes were taken up.

I have to say, I am little disappointed. I was expecting some proper, big, chipper potatoes. As you will see from the picture, there are few big ones, and a lots of little diddly ones. Diddly ones no bigger than say new potatoes. These were all planted at Easter, in lots of horse poop. Had heard horse poop would be useful for them. I think as they were in raised beds, they have suffered, There was a fair bit of grass thrown into the bed from time to time. . There a few green ones, that have caught the light. Lots of pink splodged tubers.

Lady Balfour and Maris Piper remain. These haven’t wilted or keeled over yet, if at all.