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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: marjrie on December 02, 2005, 16:45:39

Title: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: marjrie on December 02, 2005, 16:45:39
Can any of you recommend a good first early potato please.
Have looked at catalogues til my head is spinning!
Have decided on Cara and Picasso for maincrop.
Just not sure about the earlies.  ???

Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: wardy on December 02, 2005, 17:14:17
Picasso and Cara are in effect the same spud only Cara has very tall foliage so they improved it by reducing the foliage height and renamed it Picasso.  Apparently  :)

I grew Arran Pilot and was glad I did - it is delicious and is a really good salad spud and lovely in stews etc as it holds it shape wonderfully. 

Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: agapanthus on December 02, 2005, 18:09:06
Me too Wardy! My father used to grow it on his allotments in the 50's and 60's and I always remembered the name. They taste as good now as they did then ;D
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: busy_lizzie on December 02, 2005, 18:16:50
We are trying International Jersey this year because I have heard such good reports of it and Maris Peer for the second crop.  Both unknown quantities, but tried Duke of York last year for my first early and I was disappointed with it.  :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: Wicker on December 02, 2005, 19:35:56
We grew Lady Christl for the first time this year - great flavour and highly recommend it as an early.  Often grow Maris Peer as a second early and no complaints there
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: Derekthefox on December 02, 2005, 19:41:18
I am repeating International Kidney for the second year, I was well satisfied last year, based upon taste.

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on December 02, 2005, 22:13:16
I grow Duke of York, and it always works well.
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: marjrie on December 03, 2005, 11:15:20
Thanks for all the replies, can go back to the seed book with a bit more info. now.
May also try and get to a potato day.
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: DaveM on December 05, 2005, 08:14:46
For a ultra early potato I can recommend Rocket.

Dave
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: Svea on December 05, 2005, 08:38:34
nicola and desireee for my second/maincrops. thanks for the recommendation of arran pilot. will give that a try (didnt like charlotte much)
Title: Re: First ealry potatoes?
Post by: Moggle on December 05, 2005, 12:41:01
Quote from: DaveM on December 05, 2005, 08:14:46
For a ultra early potato I can recommend Rocket.

Dave

If you have a major slug problem like me Rocket may not be the best plan (sorry Dave!). It seemed like at least a third of my rocket got slug holes  >:(

Concorde and International Kidney did well on my clay, slug-infested soil though  :)