In the last blog I wrote about using up the last of the Nicola potatoes. This week the last of the Kerrs Pink ended up in the recycling bin as I was put off by the sight of their alien tentacles that were poking out of the top of the potato sack.  If potatoes know that spring is on its way then who am I to argue? It was with great joy therefore, (for the coming of spring as well as the prospect of a morning mooching around a garden centre) that I purchased my bags of seed potatoes. Based on last year’s success, I decided to go for Nicola and Pink Fir Apples again and in addition, a bag of Vivaldi seed potatoes as recommended by my next-door allotment neighbour, Lindsey.  Sainsburys had some small Vivaldi potatoes on offer this week which I bought so I’d know what to expect come July sometime. They have a very smooth skins and a pale yellow flesh. When I steamed them they kept their shape and the texture was very creamy although I found the skins to be quite chewy. I’ve heard that their claim to fame is that they make such creamy mashed potatoes that you don’t need to add butter or milk. I imagine that they would be absolutely delicious with a splash of milk and a large knob of butter! 

Of course, I didn’t go to a garden centre and just buy three bags of potatoes. I also bought seeds. Rather a lot of them. I do this every year – get carried away with the possibility of it all. Actually, I think I’ve been rather more conservative this year and although I’ve gone for some different varieties, for example, Lady Di runner beans instead of Streamline, I haven’t bought anything weird or wonderful like Winter Dumpling squash (yuk) or baby corn (waste of space), or blue potatoes (very odd). Oh, hang on, I’ve just remembered – as I had bought so many packets of seeds, I was given a free packet of yellow radishes. Now that’s pretty weird.  

Potatoes know when spring is coming!

These our just a few of my new seeds - I've still got a whole tin of them left over from last year.