Topic: First ealry potatoes?

[marjrie]

Can any of you recommend a good first early potato please.
Have looked at catalogues til my head is spinning!
Have decided on Cara and Picasso for maincrop.
Just not sure about the earlies.  ???

[wardy]

Picasso and Cara are in effect the same spud only Cara has very tall foliage so they improved it by reducing the foliage height and renamed it Picasso.  Apparently  :)

I grew Arran Pilot and was glad I did - it is delicious and is a really good salad spud and lovely in stews etc as it holds it shape wonderfully. 

[agapanthus]

Me too Wardy! My father used to grow it on his allotments in the 50's and 60's and I always remembered the name. They taste as good now as they did then ;D

[busy_lizzie]

We are trying International Jersey this year because I have heard such good reports of it and Maris Peer for the second crop.  Both unknown quantities, but tried Duke of York last year for my first early and I was disappointed with it.  :) busy_lizzie

[Wicker]

We grew Lady Christl for the first time this year - great flavour and highly recommend it as an early.  Often grow Maris Peer as a second early and no complaints there

[Derekthefox]

I am repeating International Kidney for the second year, I was well satisfied last year, based upon taste.

Derekthefox :D

[Robert_Brenchley]

I grow Duke of York, and it always works well.

[marjrie]

Thanks for all the replies, can go back to the seed book with a bit more info. now.
May also try and get to a potato day.

[DaveM]

For a ultra early potato I can recommend Rocket.

Dave

[Svea]

nicola and desireee for my second/maincrops. thanks for the recommendation of arran pilot. will give that a try (didnt like charlotte much)

[Moggle]

For a ultra early potato I can recommend Rocket.

Dave

If you have a major slug problem like me Rocket may not be the best plan (sorry Dave!). It seemed like at least a third of my rocket got slug holes  >:(

Concorde and International Kidney did well on my clay, slug-infested soil though  :)