Has anyone out there got any recommendations for good cropping varieties. Our allotment association this year is stocking Pentland Javelin (Early), Charlotte and Kestrel (Second Early) and Majestic, Desire and Sante (Maincrop) so the choice is from these varieties.
I have grown Charlotte for the last two years and last years' crop was very disappointing as when it was boiling in the pan the potatoes were breaking up and mostly finished as mush. For the maincrop I grew Desire and these werent too bad but the cropping was poor. I have put the poor cropping down to lack of water.
Any suggestions please?
I'm growing Duke of York, which always does well for me, and trying Charlotte and Cara for the first time. I've always been successful with King Edwards.
I think that you are right Graham. Last year was too dry and many potatoes ended up disintegrating in the pot. FWIW: this year I am planting Lady Christl, Orla, Kestrel, Roseval and Pink Fir Apple.
my fir apples are always nice but you only seem to get a small crop
The yield of PFA is perhaps less than other maincrops, but the flavour far outweighs the reduced crop size. I would not class it as small though.
Always go for Arran Pilot as 1st early....real earthy taste ;D
Hi Agapathus, I didn't know Arran Pilot was still available, I haven't grown that for years.
I always used to do Arran Pilot, Pentland Javelin, Pentland Dell, and Ulster Blue, nowadays I just don't see Pilot or Dell, and have gone off the Blues in favour of Desiree as they seem to be a better all round potatoe.
I`ve bought my seed spuds yesterday. Last year I out in Pentland Javaline, Maris Piper, King Edwards all failed to live up to what was expecting so this year I have obtained Home Guard, Nadine,Desiree, and Majestic
Going around doing some other nongarden related shopping, I have found some Aran Pilot seed potatoes.
Wilkinsons have them at £2.30ish for 3kg! I think I will add these to my stock.....
Different varieties do better in different soils. Knowing what grows well on your site is probably more useful than knowing what others have success with elsewhere. The most commonly grown allotment potato in Nottingham ( according to our local wholesaler ) is Wilja which doesn't have a great record on our site for example.