Stroud Potato Day 2014

Click on poster to enlarge....see you there!

Stroud Valleys project - potatoes for sale and a veg-growing course

Just to let you know that Stroud Valleys Project are currently selling seed potatoes from their shop at 8 Threadneedle Street – they are 15p per tuber or 12 tubers for £1.50, as follows :

International kidney: Second early, white skin.
Robinta: Organic, main crop, red skin.
Ambo: Organic main crop, red skin.
Bambino: Organic main crop, white.
Cara: Main crop, white skin.

Stroud Valleys Project is also starting a six-weeks veg-growing course on Tuesday 19th March, 10am-1pm. The food growing course is designed for people who want to get more confident to grow their own food. Ivi Szaboova, who runs the allotment course, said: “The spring growing season is finally here. If you want to grow lovely veg with next to no food miles, have some fun and learn the allotment basics in a supportive group, this is your chance.”

The course will take place at Bisley Old Road allotments and will cost £45 (£31.50p for people in receipt of benefits). SVP can help with fees for people on low incomes. For more information contact Ivi Szaboova on 01453 753358 or ivi@stroudvalleysproject.org

7 Ways to Plant Potatoes

See the US Organic Gardening's 7 Ways to plant potatoes at: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/7-ways-plant-potatoes

Did you miss Stroud? Then try Cheltenham Potato Day

Grow your own potatoes with a range of seed potatoes on offer from Cheltenham charity Vision 21

Cheltenham charity Vision 21 is hosting Potato Day – a day for the spud – from 9am on Saturday 9 February 2013 at Regent Arcade. The independent environmental sustainability charity will have a stall set up in the middle of the Regent Arcade, High Street, shopping centre and is hoping to tempt passing shoppers with a range of seed potatoes, supplied by Dundry Nurseries, so they can grow their own at home.

Potato Days, were founded in 1994 by Garden Organic - the event aims to give growers access to a wider variety of tubers and promote the diversity of British potatoes. It also forms part of Vision 21’s Get Up and Grow More scheme, which aims to encourage locals in Cheltenham, Cirencester and Tewkesbury to grow their own fruit and veg by creating community allotment spaces.

Telephone for further info:

07432 673069

Stroud Potato Day success!

Stroud Potato Day was buzzing with people and seed potato sales - orders were also being taken for the Stroud Potato Day Recipe Book reprint (£5) - photos here are with kind permission from Maggie Booth Photography; see more at: www.maggieboothphotography.co.uk

See also Stroud People's photos of the day here. Film hopefully coming soon! The potatoes were again supplied by the very wonderful Dundry Nurseries. Over £400 raised for Down To Earth and transition Stroud!

Advice on potato pests and diseases

Go to Garden Organic's advice page here.

Stroud Potato Club

As Stroud Potato Day draws nearer Down to Earth Coop announce their Potato Club:

Amanda Godber of Down to Earth writes: "We've been 'lent' more land up at Selsley and we've decided to set up a potato club. The idea is that we grow the organic potatoes for you - great if you haven't got a garden and great if you have as it leaves more space to grow other things! We've got 6 different varieties to choose from - Cara, Desiree, Setanta, Sarpo Mira, Kestrel or Robynta. The cost for a 12.5 kg sack of potatoes is £12.50  - very good price compared even to Tesco's organic potatoes which are selling for £1.20 per kg!"

If you'd like to find out more, check our website www.downtoearth.coop, ring us on 01453 700011 or email info(at)downtoearth.coop.