Christmas Day potatoes
Most of us will be thinking months in advance about what we want to sow next year and how we’ll preserve our bounty. Right now I’m planning what crops I want to harvest for Christmas dinner, so I’m thinking potatoes. The tubers can be planted until the end of July, so now’s a good time – plus there’s no need to chit them. I usually grow them in containers I can move into the tunnel when the outside temperature drops, meaning a longer growing period. Your potatoes will grow quickly in the summer sun, so make sure you water well. You can start to harvest your bounty from October, but to keep them for Christmas, leave them in the soil and stop watering, then you’ll be able to dig up ‘new potatoes’ on Christmas Day! Most mail order companies stock several varieties, with ‘Maris Peer’ being my personal favourite.