What to keep on a new plot

[Plot_31b]

We have recently taken on our first plot. While digging some beds we have found a lot of potatoes. We've been throwing them away but would they be good to eat? They seem healthy.

What crops and plants are ok to keep when taking over a plot?

Thanks!

[firetriniti]

Hi, and welcome from one newbie to another

I guess it depends on how adventurous you are about these things and whether what you find is tasty. I took on a few beds last year to help out a friend who couldn't manage the entire plot. Both were rather overgrown and hadn't been cultivated for a year or two - mysterious contents! The strawberries in one bed were not very nice at all, so I just grubbed them all up. Also found some stray green garlic that I cooked with.

Am growing potatoes for the first time this year, so not much experience there. But presumably if they haven't gone green they should be ok to eat? Also, I guess it depends whether the previous holder gardened organically and whether you are ok with possible pesticide residue.

Hope this helps!

[Baldy]

Welcome along.
If they aren't green then probably ok. However, this is the time of year that people are generally planting spuds - so I'd be quite surprised if the ones yuo've found that have been sitting there overwinter etc aren't slug damaged / wireworm damaged / frost damaged / rotten.
If they look ok maybe cut a couple open to check the insides - if the insides look ok maybe try cooking them.

[lottie dolly]

Welcome to the forum,as regards the spuds,if they are from last year they will still have some conective tissue roots,plus a little nest in one place,if not green then they will be fine,if on the other hand they are newly planted this season,there will only be 1 potatoe aprox every foot or so,and possible some little shoots,in that case leave them to grow,hope this clears it up for you.

[Jay-ell]

Hello and welcome to the vine.

Congratulations on having your new plot.

Apart from the spuds, have a root around the beds and see what's growing. If you aren't sure what something is post a photo and I'm sure someone will be able to identify it.

How long has the plot been vacant. If it's just been given up this year you might have overwintering veg such as broad beans, peas, kale, onions, garlic or leeks.

There may be perennial veg and fruit in the plot, some of which may only be showing it's head now - some popular allotment perennials are rhubarb, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, fruit bushes, fruit trees, strawberries, globe artichokes.

Previous plot holders might have planted comfrey which isn't eaten but great for diy plant feed.

[flynch]

I've got raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, tayberries, fruit trees, asparagus, sweet corn, peas, squash, Leeks.

Ask yourself what you use most of that grows in the UK and what's more expensive to buy or has the greatest difference in taste. I grow more fruit as it's expensive and taste terrible in the shops and decided not to grow onions as my space was limited and they are cheap to buy. I prioritised what's most expensive to reduce food bills and secondly what tastes can't be bought.