Monkton Elm - Upcoming Events

SOMERSET folk keen to find out how they can grow their own spuds this year are invited to Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre next month (February, 2010) for a free event dedicated to potatoes.

The county’s largest, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield, between Taunton and Bridgwater, is hosting a Potato Weekend on February 20 and 21.

General Manager, Norma Moore explained: “We will have more than 56 seed potato varieties, one of the biggest collections in the region, on show.”

During the weekend there will be free information for people to take home on choosing seed potatoes, planting them and caring for the plants, harvesting the crop, and storing the produce.

Potato expert, Colin Randel from seed suppliers Thompson & Morgan will be in-store on both days during normal opening hours to give people tips and advice on potato growing.

Norma added: “With increasing concerns about where food comes from and how it has been treated, there’s never been a better time to start growing your own potatoes and you don’t have to have a large garden or an allotment to do this. They grow just as well on patios in containers as they do in the ground.

“Grow Your Own (GYO) is going to be big this year. People will be looking to produce their own food to help with the spiralling costs of supermarket shopping and the credit crunch.

“They are also realising that home-grown produce tastes better and is healthier for you, that’s why we’re hosting this Potato Weekend and will have many more GYO events throughout the year."

For further details about Potato Weekend on February 20 and 21, please go along to Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield, call 01823 412381 or visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk. Admission and parking is free.

Photo caption: (left to right) Tom Berry from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s Grow Your Own Special Team, potato expert, Colin Randel and Area Sales Manager, Paul Williams, who are both from seed suppliers Thompson & Morgan, with some of the seed potatoes available from the garden centre.