The spud challenge

 Some of my online blog buddies have taken up my challenge.... to plant 500g of supermarket spuds of any variety. I've been asked whether chitting is necessary and in truth I don't believe it is. But as a matter of interest, this morning I've weighed out two 495g sets of Maris Piper spuds from the supermarket. One set I've put aside to chit and the others I've planted in a variety of different sized pots and containers.  Some I've tucked into my mini greenhouse and the others have gone under the pergola where they will be sheltered from the rain and cold. If it is frosty when they start to grow I'll pop the tubs into the garage

I've put the trowel into the container to give you an idea of the size. I think trowels tend to be a similar size. The growing medium is some of the stuff I grew last years potatoes in and is a mix of composted bark, straw and well rotted reindeer poo mixed with shop bought compost. I'll add a bit more reindeer poo when I get some

I've put three potatoes each the size of a medium hens egg into this particular container though I've put ones and twos in other containers.

I've covered them with more of the same growing medium and will top it up with a bit more compost if it needs it.

While I was digging out the old compost for this years challenge I found these little beauties in the bottom of the container. I must have planted some last year and they've grown without me realising.  There certainly wan't much in the way of the green tops  or I'd have noticed. There was a bit of scab on a couple of them but it soon peeled off. It's likely that I'll find a few more in the tub to so that's a nice bonus.

I've used them along with some leeks from the garden, a shop bought onion and two  carrots to make a lovely soup. The stock is some of the bone broth that I made last year. It'll be lovely for tea tomorrow night.