Any of you who have not been down to their plots during the week could be in for a bit of a shock come the weekend. During a recent walk round Hospital Fields several plots were noted to have suffered frost damage to potatoes. This will give the potatoes quite a severe check and although no lasting damage will have occurred it will mean you will not be eating new potatoes quite as early as expected.
We all seem to have an obsession with getting all our potatoes in as early as possible when the same results can be obtained by later plantings. Infact by keeping a few early variety sets back and planting in succession during May and June it is possible to extend the 'new potato season' considerably. It doesn't matter if the sets shrivel up a little, go green and start showing leaves at the ends of shoots, as long as they are kept in full light (in a greenhouse is OK provided they are not in direct sun all the time) they will be fine and you will be able to enjoy delicious tasting new potatoes throughout the summer. If your stuck for land you can plant after your spring greens or early peas have finished.
We still have some early varieties left in the shop suitable for successional planting and now they are even better value at half price, so come along and give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
Mike Oldfield
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