Planting potatoes

Following one epic Tuesday (releasing our chickens) we had another one yesterday, and planted more than one acre of potatoes, almost 2 months behind schedule. This year we were not hampered by the weather, as has been the case in previous years, but by the help available to do so, plus all the ground preparation needed ahead of time.

Gina and Mick on the potato planter.

This year we planted 38 sacks of seed potatoes, of four varieties -

1. Casablanca - first early (5 sacks(
   
2. Maris Peer - second early (5 sacks)
   
3. Ambo - maincrop (12 sacks)
   
4. Carolus - blight tolerant maincrop (16 sacks).
    

With many thanks to everybody who took their turn sitting on the planter in that cold easterly wind - Gina, Rob, Rebecca, Mick and Jamie - and to everyone else who helped on the rest of the farm to allow us to crack on and plant all day - Lil, Fran, Ross and Jez.

Unfortunately, due to the delay, we aren't expecting our early potatoes until mid-July. We are currently buying UK organic potatoes to fill this gap.