Cactus potato

I dug all the potatoes remaining in the ground today. A few had frosted tips, where they had peaked out from beneath the soil, but the vast majority were in good condition.

They are all Pink Fir Apple potatoes: a heritage variety from the UK which are of the waxy type. And delicious. They are usually knobbly, long and thin. Occasionally they grow limbs like this one.

I now have two buckets to sort: some to keep as seed potatoes for next season; some which need eating straightaway because they’re damaged; and the remainder will go into the cool store.

That’s one of tomorrow’s jobs, along with cooking the final pick of beetroot, and making a big pot of pumpkin soup to feed friends who are coming for lunch on Sunday.

I’ve heard that the owners of the escapee bull mastiff which jumped on Bean on Tuesday have been instructed by the council to upgrade their fences to keep the dogs secure. Until the fences are fixed the dogs have to be tied up or in their kennels when they’re on the property. And the dog control is passing every day to ensure they comply. I’m impressed.

It’s July. The year is passing fast…