Allotments 4 All
Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: jimtheworzel on November 18, 2009, 10:18:58
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmbfRDdbdS4
sharpes express, charlotte, kestrel. thats my 3 for 2010.
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I will definitely be growing Maris Peer as they were the most prolific ones that I grew this year in tubs.
I will also be trying Cherie as I bought some in France in September. They were not only tasty but lasted several weeks in the vegetable basket and still kept their firmness.
We will also be growing pink fir apples again as we really like the taste and they always seem to grow well.
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Swift, Kestrel and probably Desiree.
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I'll be growing fewer next year than this and for the first time ever I'll be growing the same ones as this year, namely Lady Christl, Kestrel and Belle de Fontenay. Just 1 kilo of each should provide more than enough spuds for me and my son and the occasional visitor. Mind you I'll go to the potato day in February where you can buy individual tubers, so if anyone has any hot recommendations I could be tempted!!
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We make up our minds on the night before the potato day, then change it all when we get there!
::) ::) ::)
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Have tried a few others but will be going back to the favourites ie. Pentland Javeline and Nadine. Might try a few Arron Pilot cos they have proved to be good in the past
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Rocket to get early ones. Piccaso for main. Charlotte to try one I have not grown before.
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Sharpes Express, Charlotte, Desiree, Lady Balfour, Arran Victory - all in small quantities.
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Charlotte, Kestrel, King Edward (always like to store some for Christmas dinner!), Anya if I can get hold of some and an as yet undecided first early for forcing in pots in the polytunnel...
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The same as this year:
Lady C as an early; Charlotte & Roseval for salads; Piccaso & Desiree for main crop.
And I always like to try a few tubers of something different - might look out for Red Duke of York.
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just ordered
sharpe's express, maris bard, kestrel and desiree ;D
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Less varieties than this year for sure, sticking to earlies and second earlies only this time.
Charlotte is a certainty, perhaps Winston for a baker, one of the Maris group as I like the taste, Mayan Gold if I can get hold of it, and a variety I haven't grown yet as the fifth!
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Arron Pilot, Charlotte, Desiree and Piccaso
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Can any one recommend a good one for Slug resistance
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Will be growing Maris Peer, King Edward and Pink Fir Apple again in 2010.
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Can any one recommend a good one for Slug resistance
Lady Christl and Kestrel seem pretty good for slug resistance.
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Last year I grew Lady Balfour which seemed to sail through the season... they also have impressive blight resistance and double eelworm resistance to boot!
Next year I am torn between Lady C & Maris Peer for my tubs at home ... decisions ::)
Winston as an early performed well on the plot.
Lady B again ... and Valor for a late main crop.
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Can any one recommend a good one for Slug resistance
Lady Christl and Kestrel seem pretty good for slug resistance.
thanks :D
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our desiree and kestrel, plus red duke of york had very little slug damage :)
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You saved me starting a thread Jimbo, Rocket and Kestrel, but I'm still not made up my mind about maincrop, :-\ I shall watch this thread and see if the couple I have jotted down get a few mentions. ;D ;D ;D
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Charlotte, International Kidney, and Kestrel. busy_lizzie
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I thought I might give mayan gold a go. There is a place in cheltenham which sells potatoes loose, so I am hoping to try several different varieties in small quantities.
Also will probably concentrate on earlies.
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The only one I will be growing is Anya.
I grew them this year and they are really lovely.
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PFA... plus I've been sent two of each Sarpo Axona, Sarpo Mira and Blue Danube, so definitely them (Thanks Jayb!).... then I don't know.... I want a decently big baker that is better than Desiree (ie fewer small spuds mixed in with the biggies, less problem with scab etc)..... a first early of some description though not too many of them, just enough to get me some salads before the runts of the mainscrop become available.... and a roaster, King Edward is my favourite potato of all time but the yields not gerat and it suffers from everything.... Valor perhaps?.... plus a red-fleshed variety so I can have a union-jack shepherds/cottage pie at some point....... I think I'll go to a potato day and once I've got a baker, the 1E and a roaster sorted out then I'll upt my brain in neutral and pick up 16-20 assorted tubers of mostly mains.... I could live with a mix of 1st earlies, ie 2 tubers of each of 6 or 7, that would be a small row of first earlies on my rather narrow plot......
chrisc
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chriscross what you want is PENTLAND SQUIRE its grown on conract for M&S for bakers
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Thanks JTW, I'll keep a look out for it.... I feel an experimental year coming on.....When the only fixed thing in your life is Pink Fir Apple then, well, your life is rather wierd looking and knobbly......
chrisc
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http://www.dundrynurseries.co.uk/plist.asp
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Pentland squire now out of stock, but thanks for posting the site. Ideal for small amounts.
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I tried Winston this year as a first early baker and had a good crop, so will be growing them again next year.... ;D
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I'd like to try a bigger variety of spuds but don't have room for the sort of quantities you need to buy from the big firms. Cheltenham's too far for me, does anyone know of other centres selling odd loose spuds? I'm East Midlands.
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If you want to pm me I'll pick some up at Ryton Potato day... (Coventry) in January... they sell by the tuber and usually have over 100 varieties to choose from... :)
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Thanks, Saddad, I've googled Ryton and might go down there, is it as good a day as it sounds? I should have thought of them, used to live nearby.
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The link below shows a snapshot of different spud varieties in catogories for their various uses:
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/potato/potato-flavour-type.php
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Are you a member Small? I go down on the Sat. went with DebP last year.. :)
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'rocket', as my usual 1st early, 'international kidney' as another 1st early, and either 'anya' or 'charlotte' as my 2nd early. (I don't bother with main crop' on an allotment site, we always get blight 'cos of other bloody gardeners leaving in volunteers!!
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What do yoy think of the International Kidney/Jersey Royal spuds?
I'm very tempted to go with them.
I'm also looking at Pentland Javelin, British Queen, and Charlotte.
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I grow 'international kidney (gorleston royals) every year, and am sufficiently impressed to continue to grow them!! ;)
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I orderde the same as last year:
Frieslander for earlies - very tasty and kept longer than other earlies,
Texla for main - redskinned, less prone to be affected by blight,
Linzer Rose - a waxy potato for salads, great taste (imho better than PFA)
And I ordered the surprise package: a selection of 4 rare or heirloom varieties. That's how I discovered the Linzer Rose!
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just over a month to go now, and seed spuds will bein the shops
grt that list ready.
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Winston, rocket, kerrs pink , rooster , this year
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Trying " Valor " this year in addition to all my usuals.
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Last year..
Arran Pilot ....FE... poor
Charlotte......SE... as always, good crop
Int' Kidney...SE.....disappointed...smallish yeild.
Kestrel.........SE.....butiful...used too quickly
King Edward.M ....still using them...good old stalwarts...smaller than usuall...
Next year 2010 on order...
Rocket...FE
Charlotte..SE
Kestrel..SE
Deserie...M
King Edward..m
let you know the results...2010 next year.....
previous years I ain't got that long, an' I'd hate to bore one and all ;)
plus one finga typin 'urts afta a whoile ;D ;D :-\
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My Charlottes were the first to succumb to blight this year. I'm planning to give them a miss.
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mine could end up as
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtkfE_OWSzo
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I can't understand why all my lates are breaking up when I boil them, I grew Desiree, Maris Piper and Rooster, any ideas why this is?
So not sure what I will be planting in 2010
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I can't understand why all my lates are breaking up when I boil them, I grew Desiree, Maris Piper and Rooster, any ideas why this is?
If they're all doing it, are you boiling them too fast? Or too long? I grew Arran Victory this year, renowned for breaking up - but read somewhere about boiling slowly, works for mine. Just a thought.
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This year I grew: -
Foremost as a 1st early - and won't bother agin as they were tasteless
Charlotte as a 2nd - got slugged
Nadine - ok (I tried Nicola the previous year and prefered that)
Pink Fir Apple - yumptious
this year will be a few each of : -
Lady Chrystl - for the 1st earlies
Salad Blue - for a bit of fun
Pink Fir Apple - as per
Mayan Gold - if I can get some
And thanks to the info on here Red Duke of York ;D
1066
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Still working on my list...
Want to know whether Rocket actually tastes good or whether they are just bred for earliness.
Thanks..
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Want to know whether Rocket actually tastes good or whether they are just bred for earliness.
Lets just say I harvested what I considered to be more than we could have handled..
they went didn't last five mins...be planting them again next year :)
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It was my first year with rocket and they are well worth it, put some under a cloche so there really early and they melt in your mouth, I did too many though, the longer they are in they loss a bit of taste , still well worth it though. Kestrel I do every year , still not made up my mind about lates, :-\ so I watching on here for ideas. ;D ;D ;D
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Corny...my choice is ...Deserie and K.Edwards....but each to their own...
must consider the soil your growing in...results from previous yrs ect.. :)
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I keep seeing mention of a Potato Day? Is there one in the North-East and where would it be? I like the idea of being able to buy by the tuber. I have read that Swift or Rocket are good for containers. Sas anyone tried them in containers and what were they like? iIve never grown potatoes before (except by accident in the compost bin.)
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Gynnethmary - there are a number of potato days around the country, I googled and found the following links -
http://www.potato-days.net/
and this one
http://www.potatoday.org/potatodays.htm
Last year one of the regular posters ran a thread about growing spuds in containers, I think it was Tulipa or maybe Hyacinth, I'll see if I can find the thread
1066
Edited -
It was Georgie!
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,49822.0.html
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Thanks for the rocket promo. I couldn't bring myself to use it last year because I associate it with the gardener's world allotment which makes me cringe and wince, but I suppose I'll get over it.
So, here's my provisional list ( a couple of each)
First Earlies
Rocket
Red Duke of York (confirmed by reports here - ta)
Pentland Javelin (good reports on all forums)
Last year's Epicure and Duke of York were a total scab on scab nightmare but down to poor soil, late frost, early drought not the potatoes' faults.
Second Earlies
Anya - must-have from previous 2 years
Mayan Twilight - keeper from last year, absolute chestnutty delight eaten as a baby, thereafter slightly bland which is why I've moved them to 2nd early
British Queen - keeper from last year - a very pleasing shape, good taste.
Early maincrop
Edzell blue - from last year, grown as second early, but seems they are sometimes categorised as an early maincrop ?
Mayan Gold - good online reports
Ratte (keeper from last year)
Vitellote (hopefully)
I don't dare do a late maincrop.
How early do you plant your rocket under cover and when does it crop?
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The mayan twighlight sounds interesting Earlypea, I'll have to have a look out
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Earlypea, I planted x3 in tubs and x3 in the ground on the 15th of Feb and covered with cloches and was on my plate on the 25th of May.
We had a bit of a competion for fun and I think we might do it again next year. ;D ;D ;D
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I grew Pentland Javelin, Earlypea, started some in buckets on March 1st and ate the first on May 16th. Yes of course they were small, but so worth it!
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The mayan twighlight sounds interesting Earlypea, I'll have to have a look out
Well, you can't miss it because of it's preposterous dappled coat. Made me chuckle every time I dug them up. Hope I wasn't hallucinating over the chestnuttiness - this year will confirm.
Thanks for the early info.
BTW, did anyone grow Rocket and not like it?
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EarlyPea - thanks, for the info, just checked them out and yes they do look preposterous!
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/potatoes1/product/zww5227/1.html
1066
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I was looking at the Mayans but they don't seem to store very well, whats your experiences on these, Cara seems to be the one I'll choose next year, but Desiree's josling for a chance. ;D ;D ;D
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I wouldn't bother trying to store them CornyKev because unlike 'European' potatoes they haven't been bred over the years to go into dormancy for the winter. The phureja type are planted 3 times a year in South America according to Alan Roman.
That's why I'd only grow a couple.
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:)
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Yes I read that on Romans, but I want my mains so they store well, they look nice though, hard to imagine having three harvests of spuds. :P
Looks like its between Cara and Desiree. ;D ;D ;D
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giveing this a BUMP fore anyone whos not read it
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ordered from Alan Romans so have gone a bit mad as they are so cheap and you can buy many smaller (1kilo) quantities.
All time favourite, would never be without Kestrel
Suttons Foremost, Homequard, Sunrise, Cabaret - all new to me
Red Duke of York, again one I normally grow
cannot remember what else I ordered (18K)
I did grow Raja one year and have been unable to find again - it was a wonderful red --much better than Rooster or Desiree
Ratte - disaster - a million tiny tubers
Pink Fir - blight magnet
Anya, yep, well worthwhile
Karlena - another one I cannot find again
A quick count seems to show that A4A users are fans of Kestrel too....and what's not to like. I first heard of them on this forum 5 or 6 years ago (thanks, Gavin, wherever you are) and if I could only have one potato, there would be no indecision in going for the mighty Kestrel (although Catriona was a reasonable substitute)
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plus I've been sent two of each Sarpo Axona, Sarpo Mira and Blue Danube, so definitely them
This year I grew Cara, Desiree and both Sarpo Axona and Mira.
Desiree 95% decimated by slugs and wireworm only 5% usable.
Cara also 95% decimated by slugs and wireworm only 5% usable.
Both types of sarpo, less than 1% unusable. Almost 100% perfect, very large crop and I'll certainly be growing them as my main crop next year.
I'm not saying they're the best flavour, but in terms of yield and pest resistance they've proved unbeatable, at least on my plots anyway. My Mrs loves them, they're large, uniform and very easy to peel... Mind you, anything is easy to peel compared to the PFA's I grew last year.
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Yes I read that on Romans, but I want my mains so they store well, they look nice though, hard to imagine having three harvests of spuds. :P
I think we have quite different needs. I'm not a big potato eater so treat them more like like fresh veg and want to dig up different varieties as I go along.
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become an interesting thread...
Kestrel, Red Duke of York and PFA...can't be bothered to type in
Pink Fur Apple....to long winded....... ;D
as I say interesting pity it s not a poll....we would certainly have got a definative list...
Cos after all were not exactly farmers growing masses for the market..
just gardeners and allotmenteers.....
PS have a great Christmas ...Cheers one and all... ;) ;)
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BTW actually had first hand experience of the Vitellote (AKA truffle potato) in a Greek restaurant last week and it totally lived up to expectations with deep colour right through it after cooking, good taste (although rather swamped with garlic), interesting mealy texture .
Here's some great pictures of it cooked.
http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/for-vegans-vegetarians-“forgotten”-vegetables-2-vitelotte/
Can't wait to be digging those up!
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My favourite spud is Kestrel too. I've tried quite a few over the last few years, being a compulsive spud grower, but this one has been easily the most reliable.
I wouldn't mind trying Concorde again, but, i don't think it's still going anymore? The spud, that is.
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in 2009 we grew pink fir, maris peer, cara and rooster.
they were all such a success, that i think we will be growig them again
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Lady Christl; Charlotte;Anya;Nadine...mmmm, all girl's names, hadn't noticed that before!
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bumping this up, lets keep it going.
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Postage on the Alan Romans site for each order is £7.00. I think this adds too much to the cost, so I plan to buy locally. Pity because I like the choice on A.R. but 2010 is going to be my economical year(I hope).
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Tomatoada, there's a Potato Day (http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=257) at Garden Organic Ryton (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=CV8+3LG&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Coventry,+West+Midlands+CV8+3LG&gl=uk&ei=DEM2S8qxKuWNjAf0vfymDg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA) Sunday 31 January. If a few of you go you can share the petrol, and if it's anything like our local one at Whitchurch they're a good experience with fabulous choice.
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Thanks for reminding me. I am hoping to go, but don,t know anyone else who is interested. My gardening friend has passed on. My other friends and relatives have no interest in potatoes. Ah! So will treat myself to the petrol. Quite fancy a day out.
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purple Peruvian
russet Burbank
king Edward
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Just done my order, will be sharing with friends and also hope to get to the Brighton Potato day for a few extras, maybe some of the Mayan Golds or Twighlights..... ;D
Lady Chrystl
Pink Fir Apple
Anya
Red Duke of York
;D
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Accord and Anya next year. Always have problems with slugs and wireworm so I've tried mustad as a green manure this year which is supposed to deter worm so will see how it goes. No point in growing lates, what the blight doesn't get the slugs do. Lance
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BUMP THIS UP
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why?
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First Early Foremost 2nd Wilja Salad Anya. I don't bother with main crop either lost to many to blight.
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I'm not saying they're the best flavour, but in terms of yield and pest resistance they've proved unbeatable, at least on my plots anyway. My Mrs loves them, they're large, uniform and very easy to peel... Mind you, anything is easy to peel compared to the PFA's I grew last year.
Why are you trying to peel PFA?... ??? They taste great with the skins on :D
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pink fir apple, is that the one with all tops and very few spuds...?
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pink fir apple, is that the one with all tops and very few spuds...?
Not from my experience Jim - plenty of spuds
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only one way to find out!, ill have to grow a few, not grown for many years , grew when they first came back for sale in the 80s, but never did much { healthy tops but a poor crop } per hap's i did things wrong any hints or tips from you experts out there greatly welcome
regards...Jim
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Jim PFA are a very late maincrop. You are looking at a growing season of 24 weeks. They do grow a large foliage and you should try to grow them in an area with high potash. Give them plenty of space and protect from blight. I use Nutrimate to increase the root system and improve the yields by around 10% per tuber planted. They make wonderful chips but I just eat them with their skins on with a side of butter.
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For years I hated potatoes, refused to eat them. And then a friend served up Anya potatoes which he had sliced thinly and roasted in a load of olive oil with rosemary, crushed chillis and lemon juice. It was the most amazing thing ever! Love their slightly nutty flavour. Last year I grew Jersey Royals which were lovely as ever, but am growing Anya this year as they really are the best.
Can anyone help me? On GW last year, Alys was talking about some potatoes which had scented flowers. I seem to remember they were pink. Am v.keen to hunt the cultivar down as would love to give them a go...
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FennelandFern the scented potatoes were Maris Peer sent by myself to Alys. A variety called cardinal also have scented flowers. Potato haulms in full bloom can look very good in a garden.
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Blimey - straight from the horse's mouth! That's fab. Do you have a potato website?
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:D Nicola for me, great taste and disease free...
Tattieman love your website/ shades x
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Tattieman, your website is really useful - I've sent the link to my allotment email group.
Just one thing, I noticed that you don't sell my favourite, Anya. Is there any reason for this?
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I am not allowed to sell Anya, Rooster or Vivaldi because they are controlled by plant breeders rights and a company that I supply has the rights to sell them but won't sell them to me :'(
It is just the way things are.
Charlotte is a far superior potato to any of the above anyway so I am not too bothered.
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Charlotte is fine but it's quite susceptible to blight. I grew Maris Peer one year; it's the best-looking potato I've grown.
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Anyone grow FOREMOST,stays waxy when cooked,great flavour,good slug resistance,not a huge cropper,but how I look foreward to that first lifting with the young carrots.
ps. tried all the others always come back to this one.
Ivor
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Anyone grow FOREMOST,stays waxy when cooked,great flavour,good slug resistance,not a huge cropper,but how I look foreward to that first lifting with the young carrots.
ps. tried all the others always come back to this one.
Ivor
Interesting you say that Greenhilllad - I grew Foremost this year and was very disappointed by the taste! reasonable crop, not much slug damage. I won't be growing them again as according to my taste buds I prefer others :)
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Not growing any this year...fed up with the slug holes, threw all of last years away in the end.
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Kea try groing some in containers or use nemaslug and all your slug worries will be gone.
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we are doing
Rockets for early as the provided us with a massive haul last year
and Sarpo Mira for maincrop, mainly as no one else on my site has ever heard of them lol. Plus there better resistance to blight and large yeilds.
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Tasteless Foremost but a good cropper and doesn't usually let you down. Maris Peer and Maris Piper.
Grew 6 varieties last year none of the above and was very disappointed so have gone back to the tried and tested ones that seem to do well in my soil.
I like Charlotte but they were bad last year too.
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get nine from hursery next week, mail ordef 10 for £3.95 p&p inc
pick up in person £2.85 a 3 KILO bag
ishall be there in person
saving £15.00 in postage
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I'll be getting mine this weekend, if they have them in, £3 ish for 3 kilos. ;D ;D ;D
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Cara and Aaron Pilot. I only got the Allotment last autumn and I have been told the previous owner was a spud fiend and grew nothing else so hope there isn't too much disease in the soil.
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anybody tried duke of york earlies.
white , picked some up at the GC yesterday.
are they a new variety i was always led to believe duke of york are red ???
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Duke of York has been around for a century or so. It's white, and excellent. There's also Red Duke of York, which I've never tried.
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Kea try groing some in containers or use nemaslug and all your slug worries will be gone.
Yes Thanks I think I might do that....containers I mean...T&M have some potato grow bags plus potatoes plus the £5 off voucher they just sent seems a good idea.
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I went to the Dutch Barn Nursery in Coggeshall today where they sell the tubers loose at £2.50/kilo ish [can't remember now] They have loads of varieties so I got about 5 of Accord, Arran Pilot, Rocket, Swift, Mayan Twilight, Nicola, Pixie, Maris Peer and 10 Charlotte - all supplied from JBA - thanks Tattieman!
Have also got some Ratte, Belle de Fontenay and Lady Balfour from other sources.
They are all now labelled and sitting in egg boxes!!!
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I'm a fan of Red Dukes... good skin for baking. Stores well only starting to sprout now... dug up in July... :)
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I went to the Dutch Barn Nursery in Coggeshall today where they sell the tubers loose at £2.50/kilo ish [can't remember now] They have loads of varieties so I got about 5 of Accord, Arran Pilot, Rocket, Swift, Mayan Twilight, Nicola, Pixie, Maris Peer and 10 Charlotte - all supplied from JBA - thanks Tattieman!
Have also got some Ratte, Belle de Fontenay and Lady Balfour from other sources.
They are all now labelled and sitting in egg boxes!!!
That is a great result. Lots of choice and something to suit everyone.
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I will be sticking to my usual Rocket, Nadine and Kestrel.
I have just managed to get my last two rows out yesterday and today so anyone in doubt about growing Kestrel or Nadine
These are Nadine that i got out today the small bucket is the amount of badly damaged potatoes i got
[attachment=1]
After a good wash
[attachment=2]
Now sorted, the blue box are slight slug damage and fork damage on lifting. On the left the last of the Kestrel on the right Nadine
[attachment=3]
The kestrel i took up yesterday
[attachment=4]