National Potato Day at Ryton Gardens 2013 - still going ahead despite the weather!
Saturday 26th January - Sunday 27th January at Ryton Gardens
Saturday (members only) Sunday (open to the public)
Special guest appearance by celebrity gardener James Wong on Sunday
Garden Organic’s 20th National Potato Day - now held in conjunction with Webbs Garden Centre - will take place at Ryton Gardens, near Coventry, on Saturday January 26 (members only) and Sunday January 27 (open to the public).
Garden Organic held the first ever National Potato Day in 1994 to give growers access to a much wider variety of tubers and promote the diversity of British potatoes.
Chief Horticultural Officer Bob Sherman, who took part in Garden Organic’s first ever National Potato Day in 1994, said: “We were the first organisation to hold an event like this, but it is wonderful to see how many other ‘potato days’ have cropped up since then. Growers have so much choice nowadays - we were only able to offer about 60 varieties of seed potatoes in 1994, but we will have more than 100 available at this year with many of them being organic.”
From heritage seed potatoes to the latest non-GM Sarpo varieties, visitors will be spoilt for choice at National Potato Day. The event will also feature talks, tastings, tips from experts, a Heritage Seed Library seed swap, garden products on sale and a potato-themed menu in the café.
On Sunday January 27 only - Garden Organic Ambassador James Wong will spice things up with a fascinating talk about the many exotic edible tubers that can be grown in British gardens. And he will sign copies of his latest book “James Wong’s Homegrown Revolution”, which inspires growers to try a vast array of unusual crops from around the world. James Wong said: “It is vital that we all try to be more adventurous with the food that we grow and eat - to make our meals more interesting and help to protect the diversity of our crops for the future too. Garden Organic has done so much to promote the diversity of British potatoes - and many other vegetables through its Heritage Seed Library.”
The event will be held on both days from 10am to 4pm. Garden Organic members always enjoy free entry. Admission charges will apply for the public event on Sunday January 27 at £5.50 for adults, £3.50 for children (5 to 16) and is free for under 5s. These prices include a 10 per cent donation as part of the Gift Aid Scheme.
With over 100 varieties of seed potato varieties available.
Potato Day Programme of Events
Potato Weekend Menu - Conservatory Cafe
Potato Weekend Menu - Restaurant
Get a taste of what it is like at our Potato days with this short film
