Early Potatoes???

Jerrymc · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject: Early Potatoes???

This year Im going to try some early Spuds. I have Ridges ready, but because we still have a lot of frost at night [Donegal] I wont plant just yet.

What is the best variety [ or Varieties] to plant. Its my first attempt, so hoping for a result.

Jerry

Prendo · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:

I planted some Sharps Express today - not saying they're the best, just saying Laughing

Am planning to put down Queens over the weekend but they are really a second early, apparently. Best of luck with yours Jerrymc, no doubt you'll get a great result! There's nothing like the feeling having planted the first spuds - it sort of kick starts the whole growing season. Enjoy.

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject:

hi prendo glad to see you there with the potatoes. British Queens are hard to beat for flavour and dryness but in damp weather they are very susceptible to blight. Sharpe's Express is a very good early variety much better than Home Guard for flavour. I did not plant any potatoes yet as they are very slow to Sprout. I will be planting Home Guard and Sharpes' Express but using fleece as a cover to help them on.I might put 5-6 in the glasshouse just to start off.
parsnips are in as are all the onions. I ghave been looking elsewhere for information on how planting and sowing is going but this is by far the best site.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Prendo · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:14 pm Post subject:

AH MICHAEL not the blight! Aghhhh! Smile

... Thanks for the tip off, I'll keep a closer eye on them now that I know. With a bit of luck they might be out before the worst blight weather hits ..... I did the sharps last year too and they went down a hit at home. Orla last year were a bit disappointing and that's why I went for the BQs. I've had mine sprouting since Feb 1st and they seem sturdy and vigorous. Anyhow, blight or no blight here's hoping for a great crop in every plot!

ian · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Michael, your signature says retired but i don't believe it.
the best earlies i ever had were Foremost, tried Rocket, Sharpes Express and a few others but none produced the volume of crop or a better flavour, but this year I can't find that variety anywhere, so going for Home Guard this year, 'never mind the quality feel the width' for earlies and Maris Piper and King Edward for mains.
Regards,
Ian.

Jerrymc · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:28 pm Post subject: Re Early Potatoes

Thank you all so much for the replies. I will comment on the success [ or otherwise] of this venture.

michael brenock · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject:

Maris Piper and King Edward are both heavy croppers, intermediate blight resistance, but as dry or floury as Pinks or Golden Wonders but are good keepers. it is good to try a different variety as they may suit your soil or location. Best of luck.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Liz D · Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Posts: 53

Hi All- It's my first time ever growing potatoes this year and I think my husband (a potato lover) is more excited than I am! I bought Red Duke of York - any comments on these?
Thanks!

michael brenock · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject:

red Duke of York is an excellent early variety, good flavour and dry, not a great yielder but good to last all the Summer. There was something else about the Red Duke of York and I cannot think of it right now
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

nemo · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject: potato

arran victory are a late maincrop they are like packets of flour with very good flavour and they give a huge crop of purple potatoes fruit hill farm have an excelant selection

Liz D · Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Posts: 53

Thanks Michael!

michael brenock · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

the other factor which I omitted about Red Duke of York is that they are more resistanr to slugs.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

mrsbongo · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 8

I usually grow Jersey Royals, but what with less money this year have gone for Rocket from heatons rather than getting them sent from Jersey. Never grown Rocket before so will wait and see before giving verdict. Will still fertilize with seaweed and see if I can get similar distinctive flavour.