first early potato

In days gone by, Good Friday always meant one gardening job: plant the potatoes. Good Friday is a bank holiday and this gave the time gardeners needed to get their potatoes in.

Holiday patterns change and time available too, but we stick to that old routine. On Friday, i planted:
Kestrel (Second early) 6 rows
Maxine Second early) 1 row
Nicola (Second early) 5 rows
Pink Fir Apple (Maincrop) 4 rows.

I had planted the Shapes Express (First early) potatoes under fleece cloche protection a few weeks back, and here is one of the little beauties just appearing.

When I began gardening in my own garden in 1978, I remember the excitement for me of seeing my first potatoes appear. I haven't lost it.