Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: agapanthus on February 11, 2006, 11:46:17

Title: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 11, 2006, 11:46:17
Just got back from Suffolk's Potato Day. Firstly went to the wrong venue ??? I did'nt know it had changed :(  Anyway, after spending hours during the week going through last year's catalogue finally managed to decide on the varieties that I wanted...(bearing in mind that the catalogues are the same each year). Eventually reached the destination...only 30 minutes late :) Give a list to my friend , another to the OH and my list firmly clutched in hand and off we go into the throng. God! it was worse than BGOF at the local jumble sale. Pushing and shoving everywhere!!! To cut a long story short, only managed to get 3 varieties from my list >:( >:( So why don't they give out a list of the varieties they have ??? ??? Is it a con to get rid of varieties they can't sell?? Would'nt mind so much but it cost £1.50 each to get in!!!! Not a happy bunny >:( >:(
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: derbex on February 11, 2006, 14:24:59
Sorry to hear that Agapanthas -I nearly went myself, but in the end I got my spuds from a nursery in Ciggeshall that sells them loose. Still didn't get all I wanted -but I did get 8 different sorts.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 11, 2006, 17:29:29
It is a lot nicer when you can get just a few tubers of different varieties.
I have my old favourites year after year, but it's just a nice change to try
out other ones:)
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: jeanaustin on February 11, 2006, 17:59:23
I also went to the Suffolk Potato Day at Stonham Barns today and was disappointed not to be able to get two of the varieties I wanted - I especially wanted Edzell Blue and Morene which I had from last year's potato day and liked.  It was very crowded and seemed even more so than last year at Aldercarr Farm.  Also last year there were 'organic' grown varieties available but I didn't see any organic grown ones this year.  Also I don't think there were as many varieties as last year.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Jesse on February 11, 2006, 19:15:07
Our local nursery sell them loose which is great. What varieties didn't you get Agapanthus?
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 11, 2006, 19:24:33
I get them loose in the city centre; I'm growing Duke of York, Charlotte and Cara this year. That'll do us as we're not great potato eaters.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Jesse on February 11, 2006, 21:42:05
Robert you're doing to same as me, except i've also got King Edwards :)
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Amazin on February 11, 2006, 22:19:29
Ags,

I'm going to the Potato Weekend  next Sunday at Buckingham Nurseries. Let me know what you're missing from your list and I'll see what I can get.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 12, 2006, 09:14:11
I usually grow King Edwards but people have been singing the praises of Cara as a baker so I'm trying that instead. We'd never eat our way through four beds of spuds, I'm not even sure we'll finish three.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 12, 2006, 10:26:35
Jesse and Amazin:
Anna
Arran Consul
Ballydoon
Barna
Belle de Fontenay
Druid
Kennebec
Pomeroy
Ratte
Spunta
Up to Date
Only wanted a couple of each variety...be very happy to pay postage...thanks very much ;)
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: jeanaustin on February 12, 2006, 10:33:56
Was told at the Stonham Potato Day yesterday that 'Pomeroy' wasn't available anywhere this year as it was an almost total 'crop failure'
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 12, 2006, 10:40:20
Oh  well next year maybe.....
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 12, 2006, 13:08:18
Phew, we were going to go but didn't due to other family commitments,and also we didn't know how the kids would get on.  I ended up getting a collection from Thompson & Morgan (sharp intake of breath) and then I have been picking up odds and sods from the local nursery who are selling them loose. 

Agapanthus, that had Ratte in there, let me know if you want me to check them out and I will pop up there and see if they still have any.  More than happy to pick them up for you.  I also think they might have had the Belle one....but won't swear to it...anyhows, let me know.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 12, 2006, 13:47:39
Thanks Emma...that would be great. Was keeping my eye out for you yesterday ;D
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: bupster on February 12, 2006, 14:08:09
I got a good selection from the Stonham Barns day but got there too late for a lot of the stuff I wanted (train and taxi - buses only run on Thursdays ???).

What I really would have liked was some blues. I read somewhere that you can get them off various websites but only in serious quantities - I just want a couple of tubers. Anyone got any spare? I have ten varieties to swap. Or I'm considering ordering the smallest bag possible and sharing them with anyone who's interested.  :)
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 12, 2006, 15:03:03
Did'nt see any blues  there at all Bupster and I got there quite earlyish ;)
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: bupster on February 13, 2006, 16:46:33
Turns out Scotsdales in Cambridge is doing Edsell blues, but was good and didn't get any. Fourteen varieties is enough :P
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Jesse on February 13, 2006, 18:33:06
Agapanthus I don't recognise any of those names from the local nursery but I'll take your list next time I go and see what I can find.
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: agapanthus on February 13, 2006, 19:12:33
Thanks Jesse, really appreciate it ;D
Title: Re: Potato gripe:(
Post by: Lady of the Land on February 13, 2006, 19:22:56
EJ

Can you tell me which local nursery is selling potatoes near or in Chelmsford area.

Thanks LOL