Potatoes

This is what started it all off. It's not unusual to discover something growing in the dark recesses of the cupboards and in this case it was a potato. Last year I planted proper seed potatoes and they sort of worked, the crop was small, misshapen and a tasty treat for slugs and snails, this year I'm a bit more organised.

Requirements: sprouting potatoes, large container, cheap compost and slug pellets.

My first problem was what to grow them in, it has to be something deep for the potatoes to form, one plant one bucket seemed a bit restrictive, a barrel would be ideal (a beer one still full would be even better but unlikely). The answer came in the form of a garden rubbish bag designed for collecting leaves. It's basically a woven plastic cylinder with a spring loaded hoop that makes it pop up and take shape, cost about £4.99 from a garden centre. (like this)
July 10th: potatoes, little ones. Having a little exploratory dig I discovered these two darlings just under the surface.

Don't know what type they are and probably never will but they look good.
July 12th: I would appear to be going rusty.

A few of the leaves near the back (The cheap seats) have developed a touch of what looks like rust, strange little spots, and to make matter a little worst, I discovered something has been having a nibble at the lower dangly bits, Tall slugs perhaps?

Harvest time

        

July 13th: I've gone scabby. OK, it just happens to be Friday the thirtieth and I discover that the pretty brown pattern on the potato I found on the 10th is in fact Potato Scab, fortunately harmless and can be eaten, but with the first signs of something else on the leaves it's prompted me to . . . dig 'em up.
Actually pleased with the results, about 30 good spuds in all.
Here's a chance to see the original rubbish bag I used to grow the potatoes in. I shall wash it out and hopeful remove any infection that remains. I shall plant again for a crop in October time all going well.
just love this free food stuff.
 
That's about it: Washed and cooked with some mint leaves and served up with bangers and peas and drizzled with melted butter yummy.

They tasted like . . . potatoes, which was the whole point but there was a level of self satisfaction knowing we had grown them (and killed them of course) but that's life!

I would certainly grow them again, the plant itself is not unattractive (in a plant like way) and watching them develop is a reward in itself.

Easy to grow, some work in preparation but other than that a bucket of water a day seemed to be enough plus of course my beloved slug pellets.
           
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