Topic: What Potatoes to grow?

[vicki.m]

Hello All,

I haven't posted for a while I'm sorry, I have bought all my seeds for my first year on my allotment (all things I've grown before in the garden) but I am no thinking about potatoes, I was flicking through the seed catalogue from Thompson and Morgan and to be honest I'm over whelmed but the choice.

I was wondering if any one can suggest a good first potato? I would like a early and maincrop variety, I have two beds to grow in 15' by 5'. My soil is fairly good, it was clay I think but has clearly had lots of stuff added in the past.  I tend to buy Vivaldi potatoes to eat.

In the kitchen we tend to only boil or steam new potatoes, and the rest of the year have roast or baked potatoes.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[PeterVV]

A lot depends on where your plot is , and what type of soil you have. I am in south wales on a failrly heavy soil, and my best performer is always Desiree.

[Flighty]

If you're only growing two varieties I'd go for the salad potato Charlotte and the excellent Kestrel. Both are second earlies and keep well.

Fellow member Tattieman's website is well worth a look - http://www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/

If you have an allotment association or horticultural society and they do the varieties you want then I'd buy from them, or from JBA,  rather than T&M!

[vicki.m]

Thank you for your advice,  Kestrel was a  variety I was considering growing, I am sure I have eaten both Desiree and Charlotte, so I should also look at those I suppose. I am in Solihull (near Birmingham) if that makes any difference.

[saddad]

I would always vote for Red Duke of York... as advised T+M can be a bit pricey... consider going to a potato day like the one at Grow Organics (Ryton Coventry) at the end of January...  :)

[vicki.m]

I'm sure this is a silly question but what is a potato day?

[Flighty]

Potato Days -  http://www.potato-days.net/

[tomatoada]

Hi,
 I have ordered my seed potatoes from JBA noted above.   They have  the ones I want and  in the quantities I want to order.   The prices are reasonable too.
I am not keen on T and M for anything.  
Most sellers have 2 and 3 kg packs.   JBA you order by no. of potatoes.
Last year Picasso, International kidney and Charlotte did  well for me and I am only about 15 miles from you.   Hope this helps.

[antipodes]

Don't have the same varieties here but wonder what Alan Romans are like on price? Their seed prices are good.

[cornykev]

Vicki was you overwhelmed by their prices   :o
It is confusing when there's so much choice
If you like your new potatoes then rocket is my choice
Kestrels are a great second crop, versatile and virtually pest free
I buy mine locally and a 3 kilo bag is just over three quid, so there's no postage are there any nursery's near you, also B&Q, The range, etc are all doing them now but not with that much choice though. Quite a few on here buy from JBA who sell on to Alan Romans, you'll find them reasonable.  
I've just had a good look through JBA's site and there's some really good info on each variety.     ;D ;D ;D

[vicki.m]

I do have a reason for using T and M,and it's not I've got more money than sense honestly,  my great gran. who taught me how to grow things as I've mentioned on here before. Only ever used them, and was a firm believer in getting what you pay for.

Whether or not this is still true I don't know, but this being my first year on the plot I'm sticking to what I know.

[cornykev]

Fair play.     ;D ;D ;D

[vanilla8]

I have just ordered sharps express, desiree, golden wonder from T&M
I made good use of the free P&P from following the link on gardners world, and also got sent a £5 voucher with the mailings.   ;D

[chriscross1966]

I'd always recommend Pink Fir Apple, I like Setanta cos it's basically a disease resistant Rooster, and for a true early it's hard to look past Lady Christl.... PLus I grow about a dozen other varieties cos I like variety and I go to potato days to buy 3 tubers of this and 4 of that etc..... Also worth checking out Sarpo Axona.... bomb-proof blight resistance, grows till the frosts cut it down, can deliver epic crops.....

[Lottiman]

Ordered mine last night from JBA - Charlotte, Harlequin, Epicure, Maris piper, Wilja ;D

[Tee Gee]

My faves are;

Early=Rocket

2nds= Kestrel

M/c= Pink Fir Apple (saved from own crop)

[macmac]

We've tried allsorts,growing 6 tubers of several varieties for the past couple of years.
Lady Chrystle is our no.1 early
Always Desiree for main crop.
Ratte we grew for the fist time 2010 and it is for us a good substitute for Pink fir apple which is a b****r to clean.
We now buy most of ours from a local garden centre they are friendly,offer a wide range,well priced and they're going to ring me when the stock arrives  :)

[kt.]

1st early - Pentlan Javelin
Salad potato - Charlotte
2nd early - Kestrel
Maincrop - Desiree

[gerkin]

I would always vote for Red Duke of York... as advised T+M can be a bit pricey... consider going to a potato day like the one at Grow Organics (Ryton Coventry) at the end of January...  :)

thats what ive just bought 3.99 for 2kg in our local roots and shoots

[jimtheworzel]

http://www.dundrynurseries.co.uk/pete.asp