Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: Gardenantics on October 28, 2005, 11:08:54
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I know the Potato Day at Ryton Organic Gardens is on the weekend of the 28 & 29th. of January next year, but do any members know of other events around the country? If they do, can you post details here please.
Brian
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Seedy Sunday in february 2006 (16th I think) in Brighton. You turn up and swap seeds. There is a small charge to buy if you can't swap. I haven't been but a lady on our plot recommended it as a good day out.
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Could someone let me know about these potato days. I live in London is it worth travelling to one?
Where is Ryton?
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Ryton is off the M45/A45 Coventry so you do the M1 then M45.
The Hampshire HDRA local group has their own (cheaper than the Ryton one!) Their website http://www.hhdra.org.uk/ (follow link to Potato Day) says
8th Potato Day
will be held on
Sat 28 & Sun 29 January 2006
10am - 3pm
Testbourne Community Centre, Micheldever Road, Whitchurch
Last year tubers were 12p each (Ryton was 15p) though Sarpo Mira was 20p (as was Ryton)
moonbells
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Rosyred
There was a potato day in January at Dulwich College in South East London so I hope there will be on this coming January as well - not sure whereabouts in London you are but it should cetainly be less of a journey than Ryton.
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I also got mine from Dulwich College last year. We thought that we would be the only ones there but the place was rocking.
Good selection, great atmosphere, lots of freebies ( seeds, mags,etc )
Will post the date here when I know it. If any one from A4A is going perhaps we could meet up? Some good local pubs ;)
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Found this link on Phil Coopers site www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays
So now I know!
Brian
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sunday 22nd january it is then! :)
i cant wait to try out a few new varieties - four of each probably enough :D
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Please note that the Dulwich day has moved - Lindsay told me that the costs had gone up so much that it was no longer viable at the old site. The new one might be quite so draughty!!!
Full details at http://www.potatofair05.com/
:D Gardenantics, thanks for mentioning the site www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays (http://www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays) where I try to get all the potato days' details
On Sarpo, the price is fixed by Thompson and Morgan who supply the seed.
This year Mira & Axona are promised at 20p with them both available as organic seed at 25p. This is the same price that T&M sell through their catalogue but you don't have to buy a 20 tuber bag which is what they offer - and you meet a lot of friendly people at the days!!
Phil
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So now I know!
...that there is none near me. >:(
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Start your own - if you want any advice, just shout
Phil
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Now that sounds like an interesting future project.
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I think a thread is running on the site to try and get a place to meet up with fellow A4A members, and the HDRA Potato day was mentioned as a possible event, but I think there may have been concerns that it would be too busy, I have been to the last three Ryton Potato Days with my plant labelling system, and I think that the place is big enough not to be a problem. The actual sales tent is very big, and there are lots of other attractions on the site. So may see you there. Look out for my Garden Antics sign.
Brian
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I Googled and found this HDRA link
http://www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays/
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The London potato day is now just 2 minutes walk from my allotment 8) ;D
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The London potato day is now just 2 minutes walk from my allotment 8) ;D
Carrie, to be pedantic, I think you'll find that, as of today, it is 79 days and 2 minutes ;)
Phil
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So excited! (strange girl!) We are going to the suffolk day! Anyone else going to that one??
We are also planning to go to the Ryton one to meet up with folks. ;D
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Where? When? And maybe!! Would love to, but will have to convince OH and kids.... ::) ;D ;D ;D
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LOL!! Will don my wellies and go on toy dog search, Wardy.. ;D ;D ;D Hoenstly the things I do for some people...And occurred to me after a posted!! Will travel light and fast...!! Go for quick getaway before they notice. But, I blinking well will!! Just need EJ to tell me where and when...will post toy dogs with waterlilly, not in same box, obviously.... ::) ;D
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OK! Am really slow today... ::) Used link, and lo...Is so close!! Am getting all excited now!! LOL! Is easily done..
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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?
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There is only one website www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays (http://www.hhdra.org.uk/potatodays) and the only day on Scotland is at Galashiels in early March
Phil
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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).
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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
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Are the potatoes sold per weight or individual tuber?
What are the prices like?
The Durham date looks like mine.
Debs
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Debs,
The Durham date is last year - I'm waiting with baited breath to see if there's one for this year
Andy
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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
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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
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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?
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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?
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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. :)
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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)
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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