With a brand new growing season almost upon us - seed potatoes sprouting in their trays - I'm in somewhat of a quandary, ('on the horns' as my near neighbour would have it); what potato does best in my garden?
It is said to be a fact that certain types are more suitable than others, depending on the soil conditions. Soil tests are all very well but that cannot take into account climate conditions the seed will be exposed to later in the season.
Trying my very best to adjust the soil to suit each crop - a little more of this; a little less of that, never seems to work out as well as I'd like.
Last season the results were plentiful, but because I banked-up at planting time, (taking a leaf out of the farmers book) - not allowing sufficient moisture to penetrate deep enough - the potatoes were small.
The year before - using the same routine - my crop suffered from blight, although a good crop, many were not fit to eat. Too much moisture at exactly the wrong time, keeping the ground cold and wet, nothing does well in these conditions.
I planted two patches of onions, a hundred here and fifty over there - with a nice row of Marigolds between to deter the onion fly. The hundred were absolutely decimated by this little pest, yet the fifty, planted a few yards distant, were untouched. It had to be that way around, needless to say we had to buy onions within a short time.
Our fickle climate certainly makes it difficult to be sure of good results with everything each season; luckily the runners ( a favourite of ours) do well every time. Perhaps I shouldn't tempt fate by saying this, but it's a fact to date. I see my leek seeds in the containers are showing above ground, fiddly to plant, but a very worth while vegetable.
At the moment the weather is keeping me off the garden, luckily I prepared the plot in the autumn, so I can be planting as soon as the soil dries out. I much prefer to be a week late with the tilling, rather than a week too early - a good start is essential.
ROY WILLIAMS