[Growster...]

I don't want to crash Balder's recent post, as Mrs Growster and I feel we're at the stage when we just want to be 'down at 'The Patch', and growing stuff we really like and can use, rather than veg which 'may' fit but really doesn't.

So, next year it's no beetroot - we really don't use more than half a dozen; no kohl rabi - Mrs Growster dislikes it; no carrots in open soil, because there's so much carrot fly around  (We'll grow them in buckets at home - marvellous crop this year - three more buckets to go yet), and we'll not do too many tomatoes as well (85 plants is a rather a lot...)! We're into spinach though...

We've sown Japanese onions now, as they could thrive down on The Patch, but if they don't, well, hey, we'll pop a few sets in during the Spring! Garlic's in already, and will be pampered beyond belief!

Marvellous time of year - planning for next year and cropping the recent stuff...

[Christine]

I've one allotment nearly bare but plenty in the freezer so have an open space to plan what to put in it. That's not hard as the requests are already in from the family (butternut squash and broad beans, lettuce and beetroot, brussel sprouts) to add to the fruit.

The second allotment that I'm keeping for another year is a bit more difficult as it's been derelict for years and the soil is poor but being improved (as if that can be done in half a season but we shall see). The request is potatoes (Pink Fir Apple and King Edward). With some help and muck we might just get runner beans for me, borlotto beans and ying yang beans as well as the spuds.

[Growster...]

I'd like to try Pink Fir Apple, Christine!

Are they really that different?

[Welsh Merf]

I'd like to try Pink Fir Apple, Christine!

Are they really that different?

I grew them a couple of years ago - absolutely lovely!

[8doubles]

I'd like to try Pink Fir Apple, Christine!

Are they really that different?

If you like waxy salad potatoes they are the best !

[snowdrops]

I like them too, I forgot them this year, but the last couple of years I grew them & they were very productive, good for chips as well

[Growster...]

We're down to our last 200 leeks now, so soups are on the menu...

I'll negotiate with Mrs Growster about Pink Fir Apple, as our Charlotte Seconds are beginning to re-sprout already, and that's not good for the three sacks we have in a darkened shed!

[Christine]

I'd like to try Pink Fir Apple, Christine!

Are they really that different?

They are really a good salad potato but they are a bit of fun. Very prolific if you get the soil right. Worth doing for knobbly spuds!

[crh75]

Pink Fir Apples are great cut into quarters and roasted for knobbly chips.