Time for spuds

WE’VE just planted a few drills of potatoes in our garden. Four different types Orla, Pink Fir Apple, Sharpes Express and Ratte — not too many of any variety but a selection of old-fashioned varieties to tantalise the taste buds right through from early June into the following year.

I urge home gardeners or anyone with even a small scrap of land to plant a few spuds, the simple pleasure of planting in rich friable soil and then about one month later, sheer joy when you carefully dig under the stalk to reveal a whole cluster of potatoes underneath pure magic.

Straight into the kitchen, a quick scrub and into the pot. Try cooking them in sea water occasionally if you live close to the coast.