[Marston]

I still have some main crop potatoes in the ground ( Sarpo Axoma and Ambro) and I am going on holiday until 29th Sept.If there is a frost will they be OK or do you think that I should lift them.

[Salmo]

September frosts are only mild and your potatoes should be fine until your return. If you have time, lift them before you go, otherwise leave them.

[DD.]

Hi Marston - what site in the metropolis are you on?

[Marston]

Hi Marston - what site in the metropolis are you on?

HI Grand Central

[DD.]

Ah, Great Central - don't live too far away from there - I'm just off Leicester Road - but I'm on the Lodge Farm site.

[Marston]

We have just completed our first year and are very pleased with our results overall and of course have learnt a lot.Do you know of a good source locally for manure?

[DD.]

I'm lucky enough to get horse manure from a neighbour. The farmer who used to deliver to our site stopped doing it as he's using it himself now due to the rising costs of artificial fertilisers.

You could try the riding stables on Parklands Drive, but you have to be very sure that the hay etc. they use has not been treated with herbicides.

[SUTTY1]

My worry about leaving spuds in the ground at this time off year would be slugs and not the frosts

[DD.]

Don't think another 12 days will hurt.

Personally I've not found as many about this year.

[Marston]

Well I went to the allotment today and lifted the one row of Ambo and left the Sarpo Axoma, these still have a good growth on the top whereas the Ambo growth had gone completely.A good haul with some very large pots - so very pleased.Also decided to lift the rest of the beetroot,we have been taking what we needed and have made a lot of pickled both with and without onion.Picked the rest of the aubergines , butternuts and the rest of the red toms,so we are ready to trip of to Spain for a week.

[SUTTY1]

Enjoy your holiday Marston, agree with you DD far less slugs round here this year until September and then back to  "normal". Had to reset my beer traps this week hoping they act as a bigger attractant than my young plants, it worked in the Spring!

[DD.]

I've grown Ambo as one of my main crop and am extremely pleased with them also. Nice big bakers.

I've got Sarpo Mira as well, and like your Saxona, they're standing tall & proud.