The Poultry Keeper

Heather

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=35

Lisa · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject:

Probably not. I've been in previous years and its so popular I've found it's just become too busy. Too much of a scrum around the tables with all the seed potatoes on for me, and the times I have been a few varieties have been sold out on the members only day the day before (although in fairness it is only a few and they've usually got over 100 varieties - but if its one of the ones you really want its a bit of a disapointment).

The times I did go they did have some more unusual stuff going on at the same time too, which looked good. Various talks etc. And one time they were selling various varieties loose, to eat. So you could take some home to cook and see if you liked them to grow next year - that was a brilliant idea. And another year they were selling some very unusual microplants (rarer than names I'd seen for sale online).

But the last 2 years I've been to Charlton Park Garden Centre There is a "Potato Event" linked to this, the same weekend as the one at the HDRA, its not actually at the garden centre (its somewhere in Whitchurch, Hampshire). But after their event all the potatoes are still for sale, by the tuber, in the garden centre. They sell about 150 varieties by 3kg sacks on their website, so if they run out of one loose, I think they just open another bag ... I've always got what I wanted there, and I've found it much more relaxed to take my time choosing what I want. I think I've narrowed it down to just 12 varieties this time Laughing

Heather · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:20 pm Post subject:

OOh that sounds my idea of hell Lisa ( can't stand crowds) - thanks for the warning !

Belinda and I were talking about going , But I think I'll give it a miss - though I would like to go round the gardens at some point - I was quite impressed with the ones at Yalding and that's on a much smaller scale Smile

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:08 am Post subject:

Thanks for the warning....I was just thinking that must be coming up soon.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:33 am Post subject:

There is another one at Whitchurch, near Andover. That's quite a drive though. Its been talked about a bit on the Allotments 4 All forum

Never been, but I am dithering if to go to that one instead (well, I won't know what it's like if I never go Rolling Eyes

)

They're both the weekend of 28th/29th January (28th at Ryton for HDRA members only).

Oh decisions, decisions....

CP · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

Link not working Lisa. Confused

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:28 pm Post subject:

Sorry, forgot: they're doing some upgrades today. I guess they're not finished yet....

edited to add: details of the whitchurch potato day here