Potatoes
Varieties: Ilam Hardy, Desiree, Cliffs Kidney, Maris Anchor, Karaka, Rua, Rocket, Nadine, Agria, Red Rascal
Cultural Requirements
- Warm, sunny position
- Fertile, well drained soil – dig in plenty of compost when preparing soil
- Add General Garden Food – 150gm/m²
- Seed potatoes should be sprouted before planting – about 4 weeks prior to planting
- Plant when sprouts are 1-2cm long
- Remove all but 3 or 4 strong shoots
- Plant in rows 5-cm deep (N.B. Rua should be planted shallow – 2cm deep) with sprouts pointing upwards
- Space rows 60cm, potatoes 30 cm apart along each run
- As plants grow, mound up soil around them – helps to keep sun off tubers and stops them turning green
- Keep soil moist – especially at planting time
- Avoid watering foliage if possible, to stop spread of disease
Pests & Diseases
- Blight
- Attacks early in season
- Pale brownish lesions on leaves and stems, leading to collapse of foliage
- Aphids
- Potato Tuber Moth
- Caterpillars bore into tubers making them worthless
- May also mine / feed on leaves or exposed tubers
Pest & Disease Control
- Blight
- Champion Copper
- Bravo
- Aphids, Tuber Moth
- Target
- Confidor
Harvesting / Storing
- Harvest early varieties when flowers fully open (3 months after planting)
- Main crop and late varieties ready when foliage dies off
- Dry thoroughly, place in shallow boxes in cool, dark position
- Cover with dry sacks or sphagnum moss etc to keep out light
Variety Descriptions
Early Varieties
Ilam Hardy
- Tubers oval to round, white skin and flesh
- Good yield over wide variety conditions
- Excellent for both boiling and frying
- Early or main crop
Cliffs Kidney
- Tubers kidney shaped, slightly pink skin, white flesh
Maris Anchor
- Oval shape, white skin and flesh
- Excellent cooking qualities
- Excellent keeper
- Suitable for main crop
Rocket
- New early variety
- Round shaped tubers, white skin and flesh
- Fastest producing of early varieties, ready in 60 -90 days
Nadine
- Round, white skin and flesh
- Waxy boiling potato
Maincrop Varieties
Desiree
- Oval shape, red skin, yellow flesh
- Needs fertile soils
- Good all round cooker, excellent for chips
Rua
- Oval to round, white skin and flesh
- Excellent cooker – boil and bake
- Heavy bearer in most soils
Karaka
- New variety – great all rounder
- Excellent yield and taste
- Grows well in all conditions
Agria
- Oval, white skin, yellow flesh
- Good for chips and baking
Red Rascal
- Oval, red skin, white flesh
- Good all purpose potato