Grow your own chips!

How do you eat potatoes? Potatoes can be eaten in many forms. Which is your favourite?  Chips  Jacket potato  Mash  Boiled  Roasted Can you think of any more?

Where do potatoes grow?  Potatoes are grown on many British farms including The Co-operative’s Borders, Coldham and Goole farms.  There are many different types of potato. The Co-operative Farms grow Charlotte, Estima, Maris Piper and King Edward. Pioneer potatoes are grown at Coldham. This is a new type of potato grown only by The Co-operative.  Potatoes are grown in rotation, which means that different crops are planted in different fields each year. The Co- operative’s potatoes are grown in different fields for six years.

How to grow potatoes  First the potatoes need chitting. They are placed in the light until small shoots start to grow from the eyes.

How to grow potatoes  Next, the chitted potatoes are planted deeply in the soil. The plants grow rich, green leaves and small potatoes start growing underground. These little potatoes prefer the dark, so the plants need to be ‘earthed up’. That just means piling earth up around the base of the plants.

How to grow potatoes  The leaves grow and white or pink flowers appear. Once the flowers are fully out, the potatoes are ready to harvest. They are dug up with a fork or with a mechanical harvester.

How to make healthy potato wedges  Using the bridge and claw method, slice a potato in half.  Place the halves flat side down on the table. Cut in half again.  Now cut the quarters into wedges.  Put the wedges in a bowl with a lid. Add a teaspoon of olive oil, put the lid on and shake until all the wedges are coated. You can also add some fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme.  Place the wedges on a baking tray and bake in a hot oven until golden brown.  Eat and enjoy!