Monday 20 June 2011

Treasure trove?


This is this year's competition potato, growing in a bag of organic compost in my back yard. Once again, we have no idea what type it is, or when it should be dug up, but that's not the point.

Just like last year, Elspeth-down-the-road and her neighbours Nonnie and Jill have organised us all to plant a single potato, grow it in the bag generously provided, and wait for the day when we must dig up the result and take it to the grand outdoor picnic, where after weighing and counting each plant's offspring, a winner will be declared.

Last year, people met neighbours with whom they had never spoken previously. The neighbouring street has been included this year. Who knows, the competition may grow exponentially, and in time the entire estate may join in, thus founding a great Love Your Potato-Neighbour movement that may sweep the country.

Neighbourliness and shared picnicking aside, competition is ferocious, despite many people having no idea of what they are doing. The enjoyable side of this rivalry is that we have no idea either of what is going on underneath the compost; jungly foliage does not necessarily mean prizes.

Note: The picnic date has not been set, but I am certain that I will still be here for it. My buyer had promised to enter my potato if I had moved by then, but unless and until my poor vendor succeeds in her quest to find a house (and she has been desperately unlucky with the alleged vendors whose houses she has tried to buy) I'm here. I'm still a Potato Contest Contender.

Grow, little taters, grow!

16 comments:

Arthur Ransome said...

Cameron would have done a lot better to try to sell us The Big Potato, I reckon.

the veg artist said...

We have two (smallish) raised beds of spuds this year, following on from last year's success. We have 2nd earlies and main, both with lots of foliage from the heat and rain (sorry folks - this is Wales!), but not a flower in sight yet. I'm not sure whether foliage is a good indicator of final spud haul - we will both have to wait and see!

Connie in Hartwood said...

I LOVE the idea of a potato contest!!

flwrjane said...

I could have been a contender, but I live here.

My neighbors would do this in a heartbeat.

I shall remain on edge awaiting further results.

xo Jane

Dartford Warbler said...

What a good idea. Even so, I hope things move on apace for you so that your Buyer is the one who goes to the Potato Picnic!

Anna at the Doll House said...

Hello Rachel

If there were a competition for the best thing to do with potatoes, I think this would be a winner. As well as, hopefully, getting something good and organic to eat you get to hang-out with spud buddies, old and new.

Anna

Anonymous said...

What fun, that's a very good idea.

judy in ky said...

Neighborliness through potatoes... I like it! Something to keep you busy while you await the vendor. I sure hope she finds you something soon.

Dan said...

What a fantastic idea!
Dan
-x-

Anonymous said...

Perhaps we will need tho get in touch with Noel Edmunds and ask about this Cosmic Ordering that he believes in (I think you write what you want on your hand, but there is probably more to it than that!). Then we could order a house for your lovely vendor to buy, and a bumper crop of spuds for your picnic!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Perhaps the time is fast approaching when you can point out to Vendor just how comfortable modern caravans have become ?
That potato has an impressive amount of greenery . Bodes well !

Anonymous said...

Will you start a Great Potato Contest in your next neighbourhood?

Isabelle

Maggie Christie said...

That's such a good idea, I hope your plant has lots of treasure beneath. I've just dug my earlies (lots of rain here too, not far from the veg artist) and I still can't quite get over the thrill of finding such lovely things buried in the earth. Definitely buried treasure.

Hasenschneck said...

So glad to hear that you seem to be on the
move!

Anonymous said...

One potato,two potato, three potato, four,
Let's hope it's Rachel's buyer who
takes the potato out the door!!!

jabblog said...

It would be a good way for your buyer to meet the neighbours.

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