Early potatoes

April ended with a couple of heavy showers of rain, enough to soak into the ground and do some good. The potatoes responded, and several varieties of earlies are through.

'Red Duke of York' - a family favourite for its flavour and versatility - showing its red leaves.
'Arran Pilot' showing strongly in rows.

best potato field ever!

Much pride in the potato ridges - a dry spring allowed for a fine tilth and very splendid rows!
This year's total :25 varieties, including heritage ones such as Peach Bloom, Vitalotte, Burgundy Red, British Queen, Arran Victory.
We are still eating last year's crop - excellent roast Golden Wonder and Bintje for chips, Arran Victory mash and jackets, but some are sprouting so we'll look forward to new potatoes soon!

Now we need rain to save the wheat and barley, and help the vegetables we've planted.

April pleasures!

No sign of April showers as yet - just perfect bright spring days.

Spring barley is starting to germinate, winter wheat looks a bit pale, having struggled through a cold winter with heavy frosts.

The potato ground has been worked down 3 times ready for planting - what a help a dry spring is! Maybe the seed potatoes will go in before Good Friday, the traditional day.
As ever, our main supplier for seed potatoes and vegetables is Edwin Tuckers of Devon- www.edwintucker.com but for the first time we have bought from Carrolls www.heritage-potatoes.co.uk This year we'll be planting 20+ varieties of heritage potatoes, grown for their flavour. One new variety we're now growing for a fifth season, is 'Smile' - bred from Charlotte and as tasty. Puts a smile on children's faces too.