Allotments 4 All

will plant Maris Piper and pink fir again but was disappointed with the Pentland Javelin early pots - did not think they tasted of anything  ???

Anyone know a really good tasty 1st early?

PS still using my PFs - they store so well!

Thanks in advance

Belle de Fontenay. They are listed as a second early in some catalogues, but I grow them as an early, they're bootiful! ;D

thanks Rob

Try Accent  - they are really tasty. Got them at a Potato Fair two years ago to try and have been getting them every year.

I actually grow Charlottes which are a second early but I have known them just a a wee while behind Rocket and the taste is great. We don't bother with earlies anymore for that reason. I would be interested to hear of really good earlies myself XX Jeannine

How early is early. How early is second early please. Thank you. Rosebud.

Early and 2nd early are terms for how many weeks it takes to produce tubers...
Originally potatoes only make tubers in response to shortening daylength, like PFA and other "Late Mains"... this leaves them susceptible to frost and blight attacks and of course slugs!
Epicure is the best "early" (@1890) more modern varieties have been bred for speed over taste. Rocket and Swift are super fast under 10 weeks.. but taste of nothing...
Red Duke of York is a great 2nd early for jackets,
Many factors make a commercial potato variety but sadly taste isn't one of them!
;D

Aaron Pilot.  Everytime, without fail.

 :) Maris Bard for me

Hi Miss Fenella, I have Aaron Pilot and Pentland Javelin, I hope I'm not disappointed with the Javelin, previous years I have used Accent and Foremost,and my PFA's are still going strong.  ;D ;D ;D

I think it would be best to say what you want from the first early - waxy salad, fluffy boiling/mash, chipping, etc as this will determine the best choice as well as flavour

eating with butter ;D

I have the Maris for everything else

The problem with earlies is that they're designed to bulk up quickly; but they keep going & end up floury. Duke of York & Sharpe's Express taste great early on, but the later ones collapse into a watery mess when you cook them.

I think I've tried most earlies, and for years the one I kept coming back to was Home Guard, which tastes good and is slow to turn floury. My current favourite is Lady Chrystl which is one of the earliest and keeps its texture. I agree with saddad about Rocket & Swift! And Epicure. (Although I haven't grown it for years: must try it again.)

Probably the answer is only to grow a few earlies and eat them quickly; then move on to the 2nds, which are generally tastier and keep their taste & texture.

And potatoes behave differently on different soils. It's just a matter of experimenting and when you find one that suits you & your site, stick to it.

Hi, I grew one called Concorde a couple of years ago and got pretty good results. It's a waxy potato and it grows quite big if it's left in the ground. I quite like Red Duke Of York too. I'm going to give Epicure a try, all being well. :)

Epicure has deep eyes as well, best eaten in the skin.  They are difficult to peel before cooking because of the eyes!
;D
So impressed by this thread that I'm going to our fav. potato garden centre..
;D

How early is Epicure compared to the others?

I made a major boob this year, and didn't get round to ordering my potatoes until after Christmas. So I deliberately didn't order any Lady Chrystl, guessing that they would probably arrive after I want to plant them (late February, weather permitting). Every other year I've seen them in the garden centres; this year, every other variety bar that one!!

We're off to Wisley next Sunday, but if they don't have them I might give Epicure a go. (Or I might even try both!)

I grew Swift last year and they were delicious! They also gave a good healthy crop, as well as  being very early. I think it may well be down to local soil and growing conditions as well as personal preference. I am trying them again this year so will wait and see if they do well again.
KK

Quote from: Miss Fenella on January 13, 2008, 13:48:55
eating with butter ;D

I have the Maris for everything else

agree with rob the rake then - Belle de fontenay

Quote from: saddad on January 13, 2008, 14:18:15
;D
So impressed by this thread that I'm going to our fav. potato garden centre..
;D

Which one is that SD? Anywhere near me - Nottingham?

This year I am trying Amandine in early, it says 80 days from sowing?? I have grown them once with a friend a few years ago and I must say they are tasty with very tender flesh. I am pretty sure you can get them in the UK.