Topic: Potato Days 2006?

[Diana]

So now I know!

...that there is none near me.  >:(

Me neither (or is it either?) :'( :-\ >:(

Anyone know or any in Scotland, or other web sites that might point in right direction?

[philcooper]

There is only one website www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays and the only day on Scotland is at Galashiels in early March

Phil

[Multiveg]

Less than a month away for Ryton  ;D
Lets hope that my son knows the difference between a stone and a seed tuber (he didn't in 2004, and I bought a nice round stone for 13p).

[Gardenantics]

Think yourself lucky he didn't buy you a sarpo stone at 20p.
See you there, I'm usually in a corner of the tent!

Brian

[Debs]

Are the potatoes sold per weight or individual tuber?

What are the prices like?

The Durham date looks like mine.

Debs

[reedos]

Debs,

The Durham date is last year - I'm waiting with baited breath to see if there's one for this year

Andy

[LesH]

   Hi All,   The news of potato fairs are as follows

    London potato fair and seed exchange, JANUARY 22nd
        Homestall road, london, SE22
                85 varieties                    and

    Hampshire potato day, JANUARY 28TH/29TH
         Testbourne community centre, Micheldever road, Whitchurch
                143 varieties

[Gardenantics]

Debs,
They sell by the potato, last year they were 15p each or 20p. for sarpo varieties. You collect as many bags as you like from the front of the tent, and a pencil to mark the type and quantity on each bag, when you check out they just total up the spuds times it by 15p, and when you regain consciousness, you hand over the cash. My advice would be to bring along a strong cardboard box, as the paper bags are not that strong, and your own felt tip pen, as they always run out.

Brian

[bupster]

Anyone going to the Suffolk one have any idea how to get there by public transport? Can get train from Cambridge to Stowmarket but from there? Is it close enough to cycle on my elderly rattling junkheap?

[Ceratonia]

The Suffolk one is about 8-10 miles out of Stowmarket, along the A1120. Depends how keen a cyclist you are. Maybe worth checking the bus times between Stowmarket & Framlingham?

[bupster]

That sounds doable, but perhaps I'll rent a bike - last time I cycled anywhere from Stowmarket it came as a nasty shock that Suffolk had hills, as I didn't have working gears. :)

[LesH]

   Hi All,    More potato days

       Gloucester,          21 & 22 JANUARY
       DUNDRY NURSERIES, Bamfurlong lane, Cheltenham
       100+ varieties         9.30 > 4.30

        Shropshire,           4th FEBRUARY
        SHROPSHIRE organic gardens, Nesscloffe village hall
         near Shewsbury     10am- 4pm       40 varieties

         West yorkshire       25th FEBRUARY
         Shipley college, Exhibition road, Saltaire
         about 40 varieties     11am- 3pm

          Manchester            26th FEBRUARY
          Hulme garden centre, Rolls crescent, Hulme, Manchester
          20+ varieties     

[daveandtara]

we are planning to go to the london one,
we are in abbey wood.
i know there are a few members near us and we would be happy to give lifts.
would also love to meet up with any members there on the day!
Tara and Dave xx

[dandelion]

Sounds exciting :) !I'll be coming to the Dulwich one too. I'm only going to grow 36 potato plants, but would like to try lots of different ones! If you put tubers of different varities into one bag at the fair, how will you remember what variety they are? Do you write on them? Or stick a label on?

[Gardenantics]

Wow Dandelion thats a tricky one!
Why not take half a dozen egg boxes with you, and write on the lid in the position the spud is nesting, and you should keep track of them then. Trouble is you will have to label each one you plant, or draw a planting plan. Hope you find the right ones for your plot.

Brian

[dandelion]

Egg boxes sound good.  I will draw a plan. I'm only planting one double row of spuds, and will plant them in order starting with first earlies, then second earlies etc. So I'll be able to grow other crops when the earlies are lifted.
This is the plan:

Lady Christl (x2)
Red duke of York (x2)
Arran pliot (X2)
Anya (x4)
Yukon gold (x2)
Maris peer (x2)
Charlotte (x4)
Desiree (x6)
Sante (x2)
Belle de fontenay (x2)
Golden wonder (x2)
Valor (x6)
Arran victory (x2)

[cheddarpaul]

Sanders Garden World near Burnham and junction 22 of the M5 has its potato days on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of January - over 100 varieties (apparently) plus advice, shows, etc... I will be along on the Sunday with my pennies.

What varieties do people suggest for a newbie (and then of course when to chit, plant, look after them, harvest, etc, etc, etc....)

Ta