Tattie & Growing Projects

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One of Soirbheas’ commitments is to encourage local food production to encourage more food growing. Since 2015, we have developed the tattie and growing project involving schools/parent councils, nurseries, groups and individuals in the wider community to encourage potato growing, cooking and reduction of food waste. You can also make your own compost which helps reduce waste in our bins, with the added benefit of being kinder to your wallet as you don’t need to buy it. See our top tips on composting here or pick up a copy in The Cabin (at the bottom of Cafe 82 car park).

We were delighted to be back on the 5 March this year with an in-person event for our annual Tattie Day. Following Covid restrictions we distributed approximately 1500 individual tubers, and over 150 onion sets, shallot sets, packs of lettuce seeds and little leeks and kale to grow on.

We had a super selection of tubers and added some new varieties this year. So whatever someone’s preference we had something for everyone including early and late, waxy or floury flesh, red and white skins, and varieties ideal for chips, roasting or mashing.

We usually ask for 20 pence per tuber, but to minimize risk of spreading Covid we asked for donations again this year – final total to be counted and distributed locally.

We supplied tubers to Cannich Bridge Primary School, Balnain Primary School and Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre, who held their own tattie sales. In addition each group including Glen Urquhart Primary School, Glen Urquhart Care Project and the Community Planters have been provided with seed tatties for their own growing projects.


In 2021, with funding from The CoOp Food Fund and Foundation Scotland we expanded the 2021 Tattie Day to a Growing Day to encourage more households to grow their own tatties, and also try onions, shallots and garlic.

By organising a pre-order and collect service The Growing Day was a great success. We provided and distributed 1701, of (16 varieties) seed tatties; 191 white onion sets; 85 shallot sets and 36 garlic cloves. We’re looking forward to organising the event again in 2022.

From your feedback we have prepared handy tips for growing a variety of crops, see section below. We are always pleased to receive hints and tips to share across the community, contact Kara to add to the page [email protected]


Development of the Tattie Day

Spuds, potatoes, tatties—whatever you like to call them, most of us eat them in one form or another, but have you ever grown your own? Soirbheas in partnership with the 3 local primary schools delivered a pilot project in 2015 to encourage more people to grow their own Tatties. Over the last five years the project has grown in to a great success, with more and more individuals and community groups joining in.  In 2019 alone, over 2,000 seed potatoes (28 varieties suited to the Highlands) were distributed and sold across our communities, which in turn generated around 2.5 tonnes of potatoes.

Schools and organisations involved in the project use the funds raised from the sales of seed potatoes and the crop they grow to support other growing projects.  The local Horticultural Society bring a wealth of knowledge and advice on growing and care to the annual tattie day held in March.  And to help you get the most from your tatties, if you fancy something different from boiled, baked or roasted,  see some tasty recipes below.

Fact – Did you know?

Potatoes are one of the major food waste groups. In Scotland, alone over 19,000 tons of potatoes are thrown away, largely due to poor storage and over buying.

Getting Started with Growing Potatoes

Chitting – earthing up – where to grow a crop? Where to begin? If you are new to growing potatoes we have put some pointers together for you  How to Grow Potatoes. If you have  grown potatoes before we would be delighted if you would share your hints and tips [email protected]

Storing potatoes and reducing waste

  • Tatties don’t like to be kept in the fridge as it converts the starch to sugar and makes them taste sweeter. For best results take them out of plastic bag and store them in a cool, dry, dark place; ideally in a cloth bag and away from strong-smelling foods like onions.
  • If potatoes have sprouted, simply remove the sprouts before use, and remember to cut off any green or damaged bits.
  • Use a potato peeler rather than a knife as this will cut down on waste. Or don’t peel at all; you can boil, roast or mash them with their skins on – just give them a good wash first!
  • Keep potato peelings to make delicious home-made crisps. Add salt and pepper then bake in a hot oven.
  • Store leftover mash in the fridge until the next day. Use to make tattie scones, fish cakes or as a topping on a cottage pie.
  • Leftover boiled potatoes can be added to an omelette, sliced and fried as an alternative to chips or made into a potato salad.

See our information sheet for more hints and tips


Community Growing Projects 2021

Glens Community Larder: we have installed a shed – known as The Cabin, community food and growing – at the bottom of the car park at Cafe 82, Drumnadrochit. The Cabin is for use by all our residents to take, swap or make donations of unopened, non-perishable food products. Although we cannot take foods that must be refrigerated or frozen, when donations of vegetables and tatties are made we share details on social media.

The Cabin is also being used as a central point to share and swap growing items. These have included seed trays, compost, vegetable seeds, tattie tubers and vegetable plants.

 

 

Community Planters: we provided wooden planters, peat free compost and seed tatties for a community growing initiative being led by volunteers in Drumnadrochit who tended the plants. In late August, the harvest of pentaland javelin and desiree potatoes were shared with the community from The Cabin.

 

 

Wild Foraging Trees: we provided 105 wild foraging trees which were distributed across all our areas.

Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre planted an elder(flower) tree and a hazel(nut) tree.

Craigmonie Community Woodland, Balnain Community Hall, and Marydale have all planted a selection of trees – elder, hazel, crab apple, rowan, blackthorn and dog roses.

All the trees have been planted in community accessible areas for future harvesting of fruit, edible flowers, berries and nuts. We were generously donated tree tubes and some doweling to act as stakes.

 

Food Bag Project: we prepared and delivered 60 food bags to children in the primary and nursery school in Cannich, and the nursery children in Glen Urquhart. The packs contained a variety of items to reduce food waste, encourage healthy eating and cooking, support community resilience, reduce carbon footprint and resources to try growing food crops. The booklet is available to download here.

 

Gardening equipment: we were delighted to be able to help the children, staff and volunteers at Balnain Primary school care for their gardens and greenhouse plants by providing hand forks in a variety of sizes to suit small hands and deep vegetable beds.

And, so as not to be too heavy for the children and kinder to the environment, we supplied a 4.5 litre metal watering can.

We’ll look forward to seeing the results of your care for your plants and garden.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the garden and greenhouse please contact the school 01456 476262


How to Grow Vegetables
We hope you find the following guides useful. If you have any hints and tips on growing any fruit and vegetables please contact Nicky and we shall add them to the page – many thanks in advance – [email protected]

Tips on Growing Onions, Shallots and Garlic  Adding to these tips, a local enthusiast has contacted us to share that garlic is very tricky to grow in our area as our air temperature is damper than in others, and suggests growing cloves in in a poly-tunnel or cold frame.

We are in the process of preparing guidance on growing salad veg, brussel sprouts, carrots, corn on the cob, pumpkins, broccoli and sweet potatoes.


Tattie Recipes

Aromatic Potato Soup            Potato Soup with Ham and Spring Onion     Smoked Haddock Chowder
Gnocchi & Marinara Sauce      Indian Spiced Potato Curry                        Potato and Lentil Curry
Potato Crusted Pizza              Potato Wedges with Crispy Herb Chicken     Potato Salad
Spicy Potato Cakes                Pulled Pork and Layered Potato Bake          Tattie Scones
Chocolate Potato Cake


Useful Links
Cooking:
Love Potatoes

Growing:
Royal Horticultural Society

Allotment and Garden

Resources for Schools:
Countryside Classroom