Chitting potatoes

'Chitting' means encouraging seed potatoes to sprout before planting out. Most garden vegetables originated in climates rather warmer than our own, and chitting is one of the techniques developed over centuries to get the best out of our very short growing seasons. The word 'chit' also has a long history, originating in the Middle English term for a baby animal or cub. The Model Market Garden in Marble Hill Park has enjoyed very successful potato harvests for the last two years. This year's heritage varieties will be Ratte, Arran Victory, International Kidney (known as Jersey Royals when grown in Jersey) and Cherie - a deep rose pink salad variety from France - and there will also be some modern favourites: Harlequin, Jester, Vivaldi, Vitelotte and Apache. All the potatoes are from Pennard Plants.

Scarecrow in place for the new season