Author Topic: if you were only growing... (Read 4212 times)

aquilegia · « **on:** January 14, 2011, 10:40:32 »

... one variety of potato, what would you choose?

I only really have space for about 20 potato plants (including some in containers), so I have to decide on just one variety. I can't find anywhere that sells them in less than 3kg bags and I don't know anyone locally to swap with. But I'm having so much trouble deciding.

Last year I grew charlottes and desiree (my swap partner from last year isn't growing spuds again this year unfortunately!) I love both of them. But I'm want to try something new and want a first early to get spuds earlier.

What would you suggest?

markfield rover · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:50:57 »

Rocket -if I could only have one ,a good early but goes onto a great baker later.

shirlton · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:55:39 »

Nadine. A second early but a great storer and waxy just what we like

Ellen K · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:23:52 »

What a great Q to think about. And 10 Charlotte and 10 Desiree are a great choice. Or maybe 10 Lady Crystl and 10 Arran Victory.

If it was really only one I would probably grow Picasso as my neighbours have grown it with excellent results.

Ellen K · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:27:37 »

Wilkos and a few Garden Centres sell packs of 5 tubers of some varieties so you may be able to find something.

Flighty · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:31:49 »

The second early Kestrel, which is well worth waiting for!

gwynnethmary · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:37:22 »

Quote from: DenbyVisitor on January 14, 2011, 11:27:37

Wilkos and a few Garden Centres sell packs of 5 tubers of some varieties so you may be able to find something.

We used them last year, our first year on the plot, and had good success withNadine, Nicola, Charlotte, Kestrel and Pink Fir Apple. The Roosters were quite badly slug-damaged. It's a really good way to experiment when you only have room for a few tubers, and I'll be looking out for them again soon.

spatiallyaware · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:44:59 »

Epicure - for the taste
Or
Pink Fir apple - ditto taste, and sheer entertainment value
Or
Vitelotte - for the fun of having purple mash

are any of the potato days local to you?
http://www.potato-days.net/
Great for picking up small quantities of tubers.

aquilegia · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:06:37 »

I didn't know about the wilcos 5-packs. I also didn't know there was a wilcos a few miles from us (thank you google!) so I will go there next week!

thanks for the suggestions - I can get all of them now (well, maybe!)

jimtheworzel · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:12:42 »

SHARPES EXPRESS
Makes wondeful chips, a first early potato ready early june and is a 100 year old variety and still going strong

jim

jazzidoodle · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2011, 13:02:47 »

pound shop does for for guess what £1!

Unwashed · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2011, 13:31:41 »

I'd say Rocket too. As a first early I don't rate them, but they mature into a delicious versatile heavy-cropping second early, and they're very compact too.

Deb P · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2011, 13:44:47 »

Charlotte. Very reliable, lovely small as a salad potato, great when bigger as a roastie or baker. Love them! ;D

Lottiman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2011, 14:01:38 »

Charlotte is one of my overall favorites.I'm trying harlequin this time a pink fir apple charlotte cross.

calendula · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2011, 14:32:42 »

if I had a shortage of space then I would almost certainly go for a first early so that you can then use that space for other crops after harvest but then it really depends on what type of spud you want - salad, multi purpose, chips, mash etc - I love salad potatoes so would grow Altesse but would also consider a variety I hadn't grown before because there are so many to choose from

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2011, 16:27:16 »

Probably a second early in my case as they double up as maincrops as well. I'm not sure which one; I like Charlotte, but it's too susceptible to blight.

pigeonseed · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2011, 20:50:28 »

Definitely pink fir apple. so delicious.

Mr Smith · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2011, 21:26:37 »

Nadine for us love the spuds, :)

djbrenton · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2011, 21:50:46 »

Mimi if I were only growing one.

Ninnyscrops. · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2011, 21:58:27 »

For taste, earlies, Lady Christl
For storage and versatility, Cara

Can't decide which one, sorry :(

Ninny :)

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Author Topic: if you were only growing... (Read 4212 times)