Each year, Monty Don likes to celebrate his birthday by doing one gardening task. It’s one that he looks forward to for months – as it can lead to very tasty results.
The Gardeners’ World star just celebrated his 70th birthday on July 8. And while you may catch him posting gorgeous scenery and nature pics on his Instagram page, his birthday celebratory picture looked a little different.
He was holding up some potatoes, smiling proudly, and people may have been confused about the significance of them.
Monty lovingly referred to them in his caption as “birthday spuds,” admitting that he always does his “first dig” on his birthday.
“Given how dry it’s been, this is not bad from just two plants,” he mused, commenting on the scorching weather conditions the UK has faced lately.
In the comments, people gushed to tell him his potatoes looked “gorgeous” and would taste lovely “with butter and herbs”.
Others wished him a “joyous day,” saying that they hoped he’d be spending it in his “garden” doing other fun tasks that he really enjoys.
“What will the spud recipe be for dinner? Perhaps a good scalloped potato and ham?” someone asked. Another wrote: “Extra Happy Birthday Monty, I believe it is a significant year?! Hope you’re around for another 70 years”.
How can you grow your own potatoes like Monty Don?
Growing your own potatoes in your garden is a rewarding and surprisingly straightforward process, but it does require some planning and attention to detail. To begin, you’ll want to choose a suitable location in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Potatoes grow best in loose, well-drained soil, so if your garden soil is heavy clay or very compacted, consider working in plenty of compost or organic matter to improve its texture and fertility. Potatoes prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5, so you may want to test your soil and amend it if necessary.
Next, you’ll need to select seed potatoes, which are simply small potatoes or pieces of potato with at least one or two ‘eyes’ (the small buds from which the plant will sprout).
A few days before planting, cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, making sure each piece has at least one or two eyes, and let them sit at room temperature so the cut surfaces can dry and form a protective callus. This helps prevent rotting once they’re in the ground.
Plant the potato pieces about four inches deep and twelve inches apart, with the eyes facing upward. Cover them with soil and water thoroughly. As the potato plants grow, mound soil around the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. This process, called “hilling,” encourages the formation of more tubers and prevents sunlight from reaching the developing potatoes, which can turn them green and make them inedible.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watch for pests like potato beetles and diseases such as blight, and address any issues promptly. After the plants flower and the foliage begins to yellow and die back, your potatoes are ready to harvest. Gently dig around the plants with a fork or your hands to avoid damaging the tubers.
Allow the harvested potatoes to dry in a cool, dark place for a few days before storing them in a well-ventilated, dark, and cool area. With proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful potato harvest from your own garden, just like Monty Don.
