By Peter Spencer
I have had the honour of winning the “Spud in a Bag” class and the Challenge Cup at the Village Show a total of 5 times! I’m often asked what’s my secret method and I reply that I have no secret method…
So here, I will list the steps I take:
- When I receive the potato I very carefully place it on a window sill in cool room out of direct sunlight.
- In early April, I half fill the plastic bag with cheap compost (from B&Q or wherever) and plant the potato approximately 5 inches from the top of the bag and fill the bag to within one inch of the top. Press it down gently.
- Place the bag on a plant saucer and put it in a cool room.
- The importance of watering cannot be overstated. Aim to keep the compost damp but not drowning. Initially very little watering is necessary, but as the weather warms up (remember that?) watering every day becomes necessary.
- Around the second week of May carefully move it into a greenhouse, or a sheltered place outside. Leave the greenhouse door open in hot weather (remember that?).
- From now on, add Tomorite (or Tom) to the water at the rate of 20 ml per 1 gallon (that’s a nice use of metric and imperial units!).
- If everything is going OK, by early June the longest shoots will be around 3 feet long. If any shoots begin to collapse, push canes into the compost and tie them up.
- By now the bag begins to look lumpy and with luck one or two potatoes may be rising above the compost. So, add more compost!
- By early July some leaves may start to turn yellow, but don’t despair, just carry on until the Village Show!!
Good luck,
Peter
Webmaster’s Note: The picture is just my warped sense of humour and nothing to do with Peter’s post ! Sorry – I couldn’t resist.