Page 28 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2024

Not quite the Jersey way
GRAEME LE MARQUARND FNVS
My first Jersey Royals were planted outdoors on the 5th of January in a raised bed which is approximately 1 metre square. One could argue, that this was far too early to plant Jersey Royals outdoors, especially in this wild part of Jersey where I live. My
that much more flavour.
The trial has been carried out in my
old buggy which has been drilled with drainage holes. I find the buggy very useful as I can wheel it about whenever I want to, especially if I need to do a demonstration at
answer would be, that I like to think that I have taken precautions by having a square wooden cloche made up to fit the bed, that had been fitted with enviro mesh which has many uses.
1. It can be used to ward off carrot fly.
2. Itstopsverminfromdestroyinglow growing crops
3. Itcanalsoactasawindbreak
4. Itwillalsokeepthefleecefrombeing
blown away especially when its freezing
My first task was to give the bed a good dusting of potato fertiliser that I raked in. This was followed by sinking 23, 10cm holes approx 15cm apart into the soil which included the width of the bed. This was achieved by using a dibber. I have left approx 8cm of height to top up the bed, if more soil is needed to earth them up.
This is very much the same way as I grow my Jersey Royals in a bag, except there are only four tubers.
I’m hoping that these Jersey Royals will be ready for Spring. I have only, ever grown my Jersey Royals with seaweed [vraic] that’s been placed on top of a grow bag or a raise bed. watering through the seaweed gives the Royals that extra flavour!
However, I decided to try a new system by cutting up the seaweed into small morsels. This is purely a trial to test my taste buds and see if the Royals really have
one of our local shows. On the first photo (top
right) the seaweed [Jersey Vraic] has been well
cut up. On the second photo (bottom right) the vraic has been mixed up with the compost which includes a good dusting of multipurpose fertiliser with
I’m hoping that these Jersey Royals will be ready for Spring
Seaweed on compost
I also have another two bags growing Jersey Royals. One with vraic and the other without.Whenthespudsarehopefully harvested in the spring, it will certainly be interestingtosee,whichoftheRoyalshave thebetterflavour.
Always remember to keep them watered. But don’t overdo it.
the eight Jersey Royals now in place, they justneedtobepresseddownslightlyand covered over with more compost.
Astheshootsfindtheirwayupfrom darknessintolight,theywillbecovered with more compost until they reach the top of the buggy.
Raised bed and cover
Potatoes set out on bed
Potatoes set on compost.
28 Simply Vegetables