Fancy growing some new potatoes to enjoy with your Christmas turkey, then now is the time to plant them. Purchase some specially prepared seed potatoes, there are a lot of different ones out there but I favour Red Duke of York or Sharpes Express for flavour. You don’t need to chit (allow to sprout) these at this time of year, just get yourself a large pot or any strong black bag, alternatively purchase some of the special planting bags which are on the market, fill with any good compost, a bit of manure in the bottom does no harm, then push your tubers in about six inches deep, water, put in a sheltered spot and wait. Once they start growing keep watered if necessary and give an occassional feed of liquid seaweed. When it looks frosty put them inside, a greenhouse, shed or garage will suffice. Around October/November the haulm (leaves) will start to turn yellow. Cut these off and store the container in a frost free place until ready to harvest. There you have your new potatoes for Christmas dinner. Enjoy.

Having not kept this blog up to date I have decided to turn over a new leaf and start weekly additions. August is nearly over, weather bad as ever, just back from Sunny Southport Show and preparing for Garden Show at Shepton Mallet as well as applying for next years’ big shows.

Our seed range is growing fast, lots of new additions for 2010, our plant range is shrinking, we have decided to concentrate on Agapanthus and one or two other plants so watch this space for loads of new Agapanthus for next year.