Potatoes

[Becky25]

Sorry I'm new and I know this has probably been asked before but here goes.

I'm looking at potatoes and they seem to be split into 4 categories but I can't find where it explains what these mean, they are: 1st Early, 2nd Early, Early Main and Main Crop.

I assume this is something to do with planting/harvesting times if so what are the timings on these.  I would like to grow potatoes so I have a crop for as long as poss.

So Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Becky

[Becky25]

[Roy Bham UK]

 ;) This may help Becky :) and not a stupid question ;)

http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/vegetables/potatoes/potatoes.htm#firste

Edited to say... Welcome aboard ;) just noticed you are a Brummie too, that can't be bad 8) where about are you without giving too much away? ;D

[Becky25]

I'm in Erdington, had my allotment for a couple of weeks and still clearing weeds but certainly enjoying the weeding and the planning.

Thanks for the Welcome.

Where are you?

Becky

[Curryandchips]

Thank you Roy, that is a valuable link. I agree, it is not a stupid question.

The other issue that is useful when choosing potatoes is their texture ... ie waxy versus floury. I don't have any links, but find waxy potatoes are delicious for salad potatoes since they stay firm, whereas floury are good for mash, and other uses where collapsing is helpful, eg in bulking soups. In reality, potatoes tend to fall somewhere between these two extremes.

[Roy Bham UK]

 ;D I'm close to the "Frankley Services M5 Motorway" This is my second year at it and it gets better all the time. ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm in Edgbaston; there are several of us in Birmingham.

[saddad]

No doubt the link says it but essentially it is how many weeks they take to bulk up tubers... the first spuds were all late mains, they didn't form tubers until the daylength began to shorten... a race against the frosts...
8)