SPUDS AT LAST.

Well, it's a whole different way and time for planting potatoes here. I was dreading it when my neighbour insisted a few days ago that the bucket of seed ones he had for me go in "Ya" (NOW). No, no, preparation necessary, I said, thinking I'd have to dig a trench and put manure etc. in in the teeth of the Levante wind and temperatures of 38+. But no: he laid a punched hole hosepipe in two rows, opened the water to see where the drips came, made a little hole and plopped a potato in. Done in 10 minutes. Water every two days for the first month, then stop when the green appears and start earthing up. Ready to harvest by end October/beginning November. Marvellous. I'm going to try my hand at brussel sprouts and parsnips next month, plus cauliflower and broccoli.