micks update 15/05/2011

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micks update 15/05/2011

by Mick Colein
(stratford upon avon)

3 pound of new potatoes

Sunday May 15th, just slightly nervous today because I have decided to empty one of my potato sacks, which I have never grown before, for Sunday dinner.
Have seen so many video’s on Youtube that had no potatoes in or very few.

Bought from Poundland back in January (8 for a pound) 4 in two sacks of an early variety called Rocket and if I had got enough for today’s dinner then I would have been more than happy. They lived up to their name and took off like a rocket but underneath …… is anyone’s guess.

New potatoes are always expensive in the shops and not heavy croppers like maincrop varieties so I wasn’t expecting a lot.

Just under 3 pound in weight is I think a good return for 50p, not counting the cost of the bags which are reusable and almost all the compost came from last years baskets/pots with just the odd dollop of blood, fish and bone.

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micks update 15/05/2011

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May 16, 2011
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toms
by: Rick from CGFF

That's really interesting Mick. Usually offspring grown from F1 seeds don't do very well, but it sounds like you've got yourself some seriously good seeds there.
Sure - would love to try some some seeds if you have any this year! Thanks for the offer :o)

Rick

May 16, 2011
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Christmas potatoes
by: mick

Thanks Rick
I have seen that Video before and it pretty much confirmed the July/August date for Christmas planting, I think I might give it a try this year.

The big guy in the video is Medwyn Williams who has won awards all over the country for his veg.

I bought some Piccolo variety tomato plants off him about 5 years ago which he advertised as the sweetest tasting cherry tomato anyone has ever tasted.

And he was right they were, around about the time I bought them I happened to notice on the internet that the seeds were being withdrawn for sale for the general public and were only for commercial growers.

I believe they were a F1 hybrid which wont grow true from seed.
But because they were so delicious I decided to harvest the seed from that years plants and see how I got on with them.

Well I can only say that what ever the variety of seed I now have it is even tastier than the original.
This is the 4th year that I have grown these toms and they just seem to get better.
I will send you some next year from this years harvest.
Mick

May 16, 2011
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Christmas potatoes
by: Rick from CGFF

Hi Mike,
I'm not sure about how to grow potatoes for Christmas, but I did find a video about it (they talk about it from about 8 mins onwards)
Hopefully this video will embed below this text on this page - if not, here is a direct link:
http://youtu.be/zsLtHXmFwiE

May 16, 2011
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Christmas potatoes
by: mick

Hi Rick
Out of curiosity do you know when the right time of the year is to sow potatoes ready for Christmas day.
I believe that it is a very small window to get crops ready for this date, late July/early August is what I have been told.
Or perhaps some of your readers could enlighten me.

May 16, 2011
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wow!
by: Rick from CGFF

Blimey Mike! I'm really impressed you've got a harvest this early on in the year. I'm currently growing rocket in bags this year but I suspect they'll not be ready for at least another month or two. Well done mate!

May 16, 2011
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Which variety
by: Anonymous

Hi Anonymous
Have you had any crop this year yet?
I would be interested to know what variety you have had most success with from your supermarket spuds.

May 16, 2011
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Potatoes
by: Anonymous

We've been planting normal potatos bought for eating if they've chitted due to forgetting they've been in the cupboard, we don't throw them out but simply plant them as you do a seed potato. I know one isn't supposed to do that but so far we've had nice crop with no signs of disease or damage. If for any reason the crop is lousy then at least it's a minor problem compared to buying seed potatoes which can be pricey and can still fail.

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micks update 15/05/2011

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micks update 15/05/2011