Author Topic: jersey royal potatoes (Read 15297 times)

Debs · « **on:** January 31, 2004, 12:24:33 »

Has anybody grown Jersey Royals?

Are they expensive? :om :o

Who supplies them ?

Or can anybody suggest a really good flavoured potato to grow. ::)

Talking of flavour - do growing conditions (soil type/organic matter) make any difference to the taste??

Debs. ;D

john_miller · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2004, 12:58:49 »

The flavour of any vegetable will depend upon the reservoir of nutrients in the soil. The greater the salt concentration the more the plant will pick up and the more flavour will we detect when we eat them. Nutrient concentration is naturally lowest in sandy soils and increases through silt, clay and 'muck' soils. Adding organic matter to the first three will increase nutrient cconcentration and result in more detectable flavour.
Great variaitions from the natural habitat of a plant can also affect flavour. Living in a country that gets very hot in the summer, where breeding work has had to address the issue of bitterness in potatoes caused by excess heat (potatoes naturally occur in the cool, higher elevations of the Andes), I wonder if traditional varieties in the UK will prove adaptable to global warming?

tim · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2004, 13:28:24 »

I'll try to follow John's expert view with a bit of mundane stuff.

Yes, they are great spuds. We used to export them before WW11. Same price as seed, but more expensive in the market. Often come down to 1/2 price after a week or so. That's when I freeze a large batch when I'm short on earlies.

Sold as 'International Kidney' - Simpson's Seeds, OrganicCatalogue, T&M etc. = Tim

PS - any potato you grow will be delicious!!

Gail-M · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2004, 13:31:22 »

Hi,

I haven't grown them.

I've read the seed potatoes are called 'international kidney' and I've seen them in Homebase recently.

Good luck !

Gail.

cleo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2004, 14:16:27 »

On the taste,quality question just don`t over water them,around here they grow acres of them and they are watered continually. Sure it bulks up the yield but the flavour leaves a lot to be desired.

Stephan.

flowerofshona · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2004, 20:19:41 »

Hi yes we grow 'jerseys' we grow them in black bags with a few holes in 3-4 seed potatoes in each and fill the bag up as they grow (same as earthing up) just cut the bag and hey presto easy potatoes ;)

gavin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2004, 00:13:40 »

Haven't a clue where I read this now - but they suggested the flavour of "real" Jersey Royals was down to the exclusive use of seaweed as manure on the island?

All best, Gavin

philcooper · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2004, 12:54:38 »

I'm with Gavin on the story that the good flavour originally came from the heavy use of seaweed on Jersey's light soil.

The point is made elsewhere that to get good flavour (and yield) you need good soil, so plenty of muck, or compost in its absence. Lawrence Hills, the guy who invented the HDRA, swore by comfrey leaves chopped up in the base of the trench - but I find it difficult to get leaves early enough.

They are sold as Jersey Royals only when grown in Jersey otherwise they are International Kidney. The variety was raise in England by Robert Fenn around 1879 (the parentage is not known)

Phil

tim · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2004, 13:47:03 »

- 'seaweed' for International Kidneys, OK - but 'vraic', please, for Jersey Royals!! = Tim

Debs · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2004, 12:01:34 »

Wow :o what a lot of informed gardeners there are out there!!!

Re the seaweed.

How is this used? Could I collect some from my local beach?
If so , what do I do with it?

*Ive got the last bag of international kidney from my local Homebase YIPPEE !! (£3.99 for 2½ kg bag)
Is this reasonably priced or not??
Await further knowledgeable hints & tips !! ;D

Debs

RSJK · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2004, 13:01:14 »

;)
Gavin you are correct about the use of seaweed on the jersey royal potatoes. For the last few years the royal potatoes have not tasted the same, the farmers on jersey were stopped using seaweed by .....you have guessed it .....the EU parliment.

Richard

tim · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2004, 15:42:40 »

Well - that's the end of the road for me - but not hard to believe in these stupid days. Makes one really sick at heart. = Tim

gavin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2004, 10:01:22 »

Specially for you, Tim :) :) - and Richard - another EU myth, I think?

The EU has "protected the designation of origin of this potato. It is the only fresh produce grown in Britain to enjoy this official status," (same as champagne, and other regional delicacies).

The fact that seaweed is used is part of its being so special - http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/foodname/fruitveg/uk/jersey_p.htm

All best - Gavin

legless · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2004, 11:33:24 »

yes you can collect seaweed from the beach, don't use stuff taht is too dried out as it'll be too salty and never pick it from the rocks.

today would be a good day cos its dead windy so loads will be washed up.

tim · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2004, 12:35:02 »

- the inspectors will be after you too! = Tim

Debs · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2004, 19:21:37 »

what inspectors ???

Would they be in disguise at 6.30am ??

- which is when I go to the beach before work !!!

Debs ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

tim · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2004, 20:08:20 »

- the EU chappies!! Wot spoilt Jersey's Royals. But 6.30, you should be OK!!= Tim

gavin · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2004, 21:24:23 »

Tim!

EU protection for Jersey Royal, grown with seaweed = true.

EU ban on seaweed = myth; sorry!

All best - Gavin.

philcooper · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:33:53 »

Gavin,

That's jolly unkind of you to spoil a good story by introducing the truth.

On the original question on use of seaweed, it can be:

laid in the trench with a small amout of soil on top under the tubers

used as a mulch between the rows

or, a bit late now, incorporated in the soil before planting

In short seaweed is GOOD

For those without access to the seaside (legal or otherwise), the use of liquid seaweed fertiliser as a foliar feed is also very GOOD for almost all plants and is a pick me up when they are looking a bit down.

PS Beetroot especially like seaweed as do other veg that originate from the coast because of the salt

tim · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2004, 20:51:49 »

So who started that thread??
I'm much relieved. And I always use liquid seaweed or seaweed meal on everything - a firm believer - like Stephan. = Tim

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Author Topic: jersey royal potatoes (Read 15297 times)