Tubers

It is now a month since I planted Charlotte, our second early potatoes and they are doing well.  Each morning before breakfast I go out into the back garden to look at them.  The ones in the sunnier spot will eventually need earthing up, the overflow others are a little slower.

In addition to our potatoes we now have Jerusalem Artichokes.  These 'random' plants were emerging in an unfilled bed in our home-made compost.  At first I thought they were weeds, then we dug up the tubers or part tubers.  A wild suggestion of sweet potatoes was discounted and we identified them; one white tuber at least looks like Fuseau.  We acquired free artichokes on our allotment too after other plot-holders had composted the remains of their crops.

I have fond memories of Jerusalem Artichokes although they are not to everyone's taste.  In challenging times I used to curry them with various pulses or turn them into soup.  In the autumn they will retail in our local emporium at a price that reflects their status as a delicacy.  

My husband has reminded me that once you grow them they are almost impossible to remove.  At the moment we have three.  They have been confined to a sunny spot in the same bed as our runner beans.