Story of our potato growing in 2011

1. POTATO GROWINGCOMPETITION 2011 A local farmer called Alan came to school to help us get started. Each year there is a potato growing competition for schools in the UK. The competition is run by the UK’s Potato Council. They send us a kit with potatoes to plant. http://www.potatoesforschools.org.uk/

2. On Alan’s Farm This machine takes stones out of the soil. Alan will harvest using a machine like this one. This machine makes the beds for the potatoes to grow in

3. We planted ours in bags ! First we chitted the potatoes. This means to start them growing. We planted two varieties; Rocket and Vales Emerald. We planted three tubers in each bag and kept them out of the frost.

4. We let them grow At Alan’s farm At school

5. Checking on progress We dug up a few potatoes two weeks ago to see how they were doing. These potatoes are beginning to hook. This means there will be tubers growing here later.

6. St Thomas Primary School We will be weighing our crop on Monday and will get a certificate like this in assembly. If we are the best in the UK we will win either an interactive whiteboard or playground benches. Enjoy your harvest!