Seed Potatoes

mardatha

For the first time, we grew potatoes this year, and they were a lovely surprize. However, I would like to know the name of salad - type potatoes to plant next year, and what month to do it. Can't grow earlies up here, must be maincrop, and we get frost up until 1st june.
The ones I got in spring were called Pentland somethings, but they were a bit soft and mushy and I'd prefer a different kind. Any ideas anybody please

Lotus-eater

http://www.unwins.co.uk/charlotte-seed-potatoes-pid1319.html

Charlotte salad potatoes are said to be one of the best. You don't have to buy from here, but it gives some ideas about planting and harvesting.

mardatha

thanks for that --saw raised beds on that site as well, that might be an idea...

aurorahelios

For taste and texture I'd recommend Juliette even my 5yo who doesn't really like tatties eats them.

Are you sure you can't grow earlies though, we're in Dundee and manage to grow both 1st earlies and 2nd earlies.

mardatha

Well, all the neighbours are old retired farm workers, Aurora, and they say not. We're about 1000ft up in the border hills.

RAS

Hi

I would think the issue is that if you put the earlies in early, they get frosted. Nothing to stop you putting earlies in lateish and getting a slightly earlier crop than you would off the mains.

We can get frost until May 23 officially and I have known it on May 29 here, and I grow earlies. You do need to keep on top of the earthing up to protect the haulm. When late frost is threatened you need to cover the potatoes - I put a few sheets of newspaper over any that have grown above the earthed up soil. You would not want to do that with a whole field but it is fine for the 16-20 plants I grow.

My varieties of earlies - Rocket (grows like), Red Duke of York. Pentland Javelin and Sharp'e Express. if you want to plant your earlies late, then go for Orla as it stays dormant better than most tats.

I love salady types,

Pink Fir Apple, can be planted very late and lifted in November.
Charlotte,
Ratte if you can get UK stock, not imported.
Nicola
belle de Fontenay,
Maxine if you can get it,

I would be very tempted to e-mail Alan Romans on www.alanromans.com and see if he does any Potato Days near you, as he grow his seed potatoes in Fife.

He is a fount of knowledge on growing potatoes in Scotland and he knows the characteristics of all the potatoes he grows and a fair few more.

Even better, at potato days you can pick up as many tubers as you want. I generally get my bulk potatoes from the Allotment Hut and my others from a Potato Day. I buy up to 15 varieties, but only three seed potatoes of most of them. This means that I get a continuos supply of early and early main potatoes reaching harvest about a week apart and specialities like Arran Victory, Highland Burgundy and PFA

mardatha

ok will go and look at his site, and thanks very much for that.

mardatha

RAS, I emailed that Alan Roman, who said to put second earlies in, late may or early June. And to put in Sturon onion sets anytime. SO can I plant Charlotte and Juliettes at that time ?
And I have another gormless question- but I will start a separate thread for it cos its not potatoes

SKIPPY54

Hello, not been on here for ages.

Dearest OH went to Pound Land today and brought back three bags of around eight pentland javelin,a bag of stutgarter onion sets a bag of red onion sets and a bag of shallots for yes you have guessed One pound (£1)each,not bad for any one on a budget.DON'T PUT THEM IN YET,keep them cool and frost free.follow the instructions and you will do fine,I had some from there last year and they were great.

smk77

SKIPPY54 wrote: »

Hello, not been on here for ages.

Dearest OH went to Pound Land today and brought back three bags of around eight pentland javelin,a bag of stutgarter onion sets a bag of red onion sets and a bag of shallots for yes you have guessed One pound (£1)each,not bad for any one on a budget.DON'T PUT THEM IN YET,keep them cool and frost free.follow the instructions and you will do fine,I had some from there last year and they were great.

I was in B&Q yesterday and they had bags of potatoes. maincrop where Desiree and first earlies where Arran. Can't remember the rest. There were about 20+ in a bag and they were on 2 for £5.

Last year I bought cheap potatoes and they were awful. The best results I have had were from a bag (in a netted sack) that cost about £4 (can't remember the name of them). I've got some potatoes in my "basket" at Thomson and Morgan ready to oder but they're £4 each plus P&P. Does anyone have any experience of B&Qs potatoes?

jabba4

Never had a problem with the B&Q seed potatoes, and I've been using them for the last 4 years. Go for it.