• Picture Gallery of Spud in a Backet

Spud in a Bucket

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Take home your seed potato and pot, the seed potato should be placed in a light, frost free place with the eyes uppermost, (standing in an egg box is ideal) until the green shoots start to appear, known as ‘chitting’. When the shoots are 12mm(1/2 inch) to 18mm (3/4 inch) long, plant the seed potato in the pot. It is best planted before the 7th April, put about 50mm (2 inches) of compost into the bottom of the pot, place the seed potato with the shoots uppermost and cover with another 50mm (2 inches) of compost and keep in a light and frost free place.

When the shoots show through the compost, cover with another layer of compost and repeat the process until the pot is filled. Keep the compost moist but not wet. As the leaves grow above the top of the pot they should be supported by pushing 2 or 4 canes down the inside sides of the pot and tying string around them, protecting your eyes from the cane tops with a piece of foam held on with an elastic band is ideal. When we have had the last frost place the pot outside.

Feed regularly with fertilizer in accordance with any fertilizer instructions.

A week before the competition ends cut down the foliage to about 100mm (4 inches), do not water or feed after cutting the tops off.
On the morning of the weighing which will be in June (date to be confirmed) bring the pot along to Canvey Community Children’s Centre, where we will empty the pot and weigh the potatoes, before placing them on the bench along with your name, the competitor with the heaviest amount of potatoes will win the prize.

After the show take them home and enjoy them boiled - roasted -mashed - in there Jackets - cold with a delicious salad.

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