OMG - I have potatoes!!

[Piglet6]

Mentioned a few days ago that my potatoes have got flower heads on them.

Noticed this morning that 2 flowers had come out, so thought it was time to check in the book to see when I can expect to find my spuds, and the book (A.Titchmarsh) said that when potatoes begin flowering it is a good sign that the potatoes are ready!

Raced home from work and went straight up the garden (still in work clothes!) and had a little dig, and YES, there are some spuds.

They are still quite small - between the roundness of a teaspoon and a dessert spoon - but I guess they are ok to begin eating.

YAYYYYYY. I'm Sooooooo chuffed!

I'm eating lettuce as fast as I can but it still seems to grow faster. I'm having to hold off eating spinach for a few days as hubby told me he's promised some to his Mum. This is the man that was against me growing anything, and now he's singing it's praises and promising it to people!

[Nature's Babe]

Sounds like u have done a good job winning hubby over, smiles.

[The Mouse]

You have just discovered one of gardening's greatest joys - I always think that finding those first little potatoes is like finding buried treasure! Enjoy them.

[Shallot Man]

Piglet6. The test will be when he does the digging for you.

[alan refail]

Hi P6

I am so pleased for you. My first thought was "She'll never experience that ecstatic joy again".

Then I thought and realised, that after decades of growing, I still have the same tingle when the first shoot appears through the soil, when the first flowers appear and when I dig and eat the first new potatoes. Had ours (Red Duke of York) a couple of weeks ago, just the size of yours and a perfect taste sensation.

And a similar thrill today when the first courgette flower started to open. No, the thrill never weakens

Dal ati - Keep at it

Alan

[Piglet6]

Yes, I think I've won him around as much as I'm ever going to

I can have this joy every year??? It makes it all worthwhile. I'm off out there now to dig up just a few to cook for my salad for tomorrow's lunch (including lettuce and a little spinach from my own garden).

Growing these veggies is making me eat a bit better too. I've nurtured them and grown them so don't want to waste them.

[Johnboy]

Do you know Piglet 6 you are responsible for making an old man well up!
I read your letter and thought back to all the people who have been helped by this forum over the years and I simply thought every bit of it was worthwhile. The joy of your first spud is something to be savoured.
I pulled my first spud with my Grandfather over 70 years ago and even today I could take you to the very spot.
What a wonderful letter.
JB.

[Primrose]

I'm glad you're getting such pleasure from your veggies. Growing them for me is like a never ending Christmas present because every year I experience the same thrill all over again as I pick my first season's crop of this or that.
With more people starting to grow their own for the first time, whether it's because of the tightening economy or simply to have fresher, better food, it's good to know that more people will be experiencing these thrills. Hopefully this trend will continue as it seems to me it's a good way of people being able to generate their own contentment as well as their own crops.

[glallotments]

Enjoy.
It's always a treat to see how excited our new plotters get when harvesting their first veg - usually a radish!

[alan refail]

Do you know Piglet 6 you are responsible for making an old man well up!
The joy of your first spud is something to be savoured.
I pulled my first spud with my Grandfather over 70 years ago and even today I could take you to the very spot.JB.

Oh, Johnboy, what a great one you are for reviving memories! I was immediately reminded of where I dug mine.
HERE sometime at the end of the 1940's. Behind the hedge you can see were a couple of narrow allotments. I helped my dad to drag barrowloads of fairly fresh cow muck up the steps, plant potatoes (Arran Pilot) and dig them in early June. The farmhouse we lived in across the road has for many long years past been built over with bungalows

[Clive.]

...and for me the first Potatoes I can remember helping with were some Maris Peer that a farmer friend had given to my Grandfather. They were then a new variety just out with the farms...they are the same age as me..

We planted them on the roadside verge where Grandad used to do his bonfiring. This became my first piece of vegetable garden..with Pumpkins trailing down into the dyke alongside.

I can remember digging the Maris Peer with Grandad...lovely and clean from the rich bonfire blacked land.

I started growing a few Maris Peer again at work a few years ago...held on to as a late planting to hopefully get some later new potatoes...and also to enable me to add my first Potato experience into the work garden tours..

Clive.

[Clive.]

I found a couple of photos. ...1969. ...

[Primrose]

Clive - no wonder that's a healthy looking crop of spuds. Look's like you're standing in the middle of them adding a healthy dose of liquid gold

[Elle's Garden]

Yes, I think I've won him around as much as I'm ever going to

Well done Piglet6, sounds like it has been worth all the effort.

[Primrose]

Congratulations on your success Piglet. As you've proved, there's more than one way of skinning the cat. Next year I can see a little more space being trimmed away from your lawn for a few more tasty morsels!