Which first earlies?

JohnGalway · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 34

Hi,

I had Pentland Javelin and Aaron Pilot last year, don't want to do either again, not complaining as such, just want something else.

Am looking for a real tasty spud, any recommendations? Would like good yield also, but that's secondary to taste.

Don't mind trying out two, or three varieties...

Thanks.

Greengage · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:24 pm Post subject:

Sarpo mira, Roosters bet that provokes comment

The Garden Shop · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:50 am Post subject:

Hmmm..
For EARLIES I would recommend Colleen if your after really tasty potatoes.
Yields are pretty good for early spuds and had no problems with blight or wire worms.

This will be my second year to grow them and there is no going back now.

How, i'l sit back and wait for Greengage to explain himself......

stonehead · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:46 am Post subject:

Grew Homegaurds for earlies last year, yeilds were so so and spuds were on the small size.For Mains i went with Dessire and Sarpo Mira again yeilds were down but i'l blame that on the weather. Dessire i think are a lovely spud as for the Sarpo,s never again! a tasteless spud also had a lot of wire worm damage.

Stonehead.

JohnGalway · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 34

Ok,

I'm going to try Red Duke of York, Duke of York, Colleen, and Lady Christl.

I had Desiree last year too, everyone loved them, gave a bag or two of seed spuds to a friend of mine and I was told not to get him anything else but Desiree this year again lol.

Greengage · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:12 pm Post subject:

as to my coments see above post re Sarpo mira some people hate them and are disappointed with flavour and texture the fact that they are resistant to blight may be their only redeeming quality, As for Roosters again I know they are a success in the Supermarkets but we could end up with mono culture in spuds and poor selection in shops as they are so successful in time there may be no genetic variation and if one dies they all die.

Eamon · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:19 pm Post subject:

I'm finding the banter here quite informative. Am going down to NCF tomorrow to check out what seed potatoes they have. Hopefully Colleen as I'd like to plant earlies this year. I've had my raised beds composted and covered in cardboard all winter so I'm looking forward to getting back in soon. Thanks for the info. Wink

Lius · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:57 pm Post subject:

I'm going with Colleen this year and Sarpo Mira.

I really don't understand the negative comments about the taste of Sarpo Mira, I did a blind taste test at a large dinner at my house last year. Half and half Roosters and Sarpo Mira roasted together. Nobody even realized that there were two different verities on their plate and we are all spud connoisseur Smile

Nozebleed · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:02 pm Post subject:

decided im growing early spuds in bags this year! going with red duke of york & sharps express. 3 tubers per bag.

Maeve Drogheda · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:21 am Post subject:

This conversation come up ever year especially the Sarpo Mira debate!! This year I am growing Charlotte and sharps express. I am taking a break from desiree which are still the best I have every grown. My spuds have been chittiing for about 4 weeks now. Again I am growing my potatoes in bags.

The Garden Shop · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:10 pm Post subject:

Sapro mira flavour is fine so long as you harvest them early. Don't leave them in the gound too long.

My Potatoes · Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: Which first earlies?

scotty · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 33

We tried International Kidneys last year in a sandy, seaweedy, dry, sunny area of the garden and they were the tastiest potatoes ever. Worth having a go at these sometime, but I think they need the above conditions to make the most of the flavour.