Visiting a Potato Day?

You may be visiting a local Potato Day in the next few weeks. But what to buy?

Here's my list:

For show (as well as eating) - Kestrel, Blue Belle, Nadine, NVS Amour.

First Early - Arran Pilot

For salad - Charlotte and Salad Blue

Any recommendations??

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Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on January 1, 2012 at 19:18

My main tattie order is with JBA:

Lady Christl (best early for taste)

Charlotte

Wilja

I'll pick up some Kestrels locally and then try a few new varieties from the Caldbeck potato day.

Ooooh, I'm getting all excited. (my wife thinks people who get excited about potatoes should seek therapy)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Willis on January 1, 2012 at 19:59

Pink Fir Apple is always on my list. (Early Maincrop). Somehow its knobbliness makes it a bit special, and in terms of taste and texture it scores highly.

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Permalink Reply by Damo on January 1, 2012 at 20:06

I think getting excited about potatoes is perfectly normal behaviour!!

I forgot about Lady Christl - good choice.

Colin Robinson said:

My main tattie order is with JBA:

Lady Christl (best early for taste)

Charlotte

Wilja

I'll pick up some Kestrels locally and then try a few new varieties from the Caldbeck potato day.

Ooooh, I'm getting all excited. (my wife thinks people who get excited about potatoes should seek therapy)

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Permalink Reply by Damo on January 1, 2012 at 20:08

Never tried Pink Fir Apple but I grew Anya for a 3 years which I think is related and was a very nice salad potato. I think I'll come back from the Potato Day with loads of new varieties as you can buy single tubers!

Mark Willis said:

Pink Fir Apple is always on my list. (Early Maincrop). Somehow its knobbliness makes it a bit special, and in terms of taste and texture it scores highly.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Willis on January 1, 2012 at 20:13

Anya is a "watered-down" version of PFA, in my opinion! (Probably bred specially for supermarkets who think veg that are not exactly uniform should be eradicated). :-)

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Permalink Reply by Damo on January 1, 2012 at 20:27

Ah I see PFA it most definitely is then, I liked Anya so they must be good!

Mark Willis said:

Anya is a "watered-down" version of PFA, in my opinion! (Probably bred specially for supermarkets who think veg that are not exactly uniform should be eradicated). :-)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Willis on January 1, 2012 at 20:34

Good man! You won't regret it. Just be aware that PFA generally produces very tall, often spindly, foliage and you may need to restrict / control/ support it.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Blick on January 1, 2012 at 22:33

I'll be working up at Whitchurch Potato Day on the NVS stall again this year

I will be getting Winston, Sherine, Blue Bell, Armour

I am also tempted to try Bonnie

Only problem with Winston is that they are awful to taste

I agree with Colin and Lady Cristl are a good eater and also a good shower as I proved winning the local show with them last year

Kestrel are also good bankers for showers and also good eaters

I got my spuds from JBA last year but this year I prefer to see what I am buying

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Permalink Reply by Bobby on January 2, 2012 at 14:49

I've ordered Maris Bard, Lady Christl and Charlotte. I've not got much room, so they get squeezed in closer than the recommended distances, but did great last year. If I had more room I'd grow PFA too and maybe Vivaldi as that did particularly well for me in pots last year.

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Permalink Reply by Damo on January 3, 2012 at 19:22

Lady Christl certainly gets the vote so far.

Bobby said:

I've ordered Maris Bard, Lady Christl and Charlotte. I've not got much room, so they get squeezed in closer than the recommended distances, but did great last year. If I had more room I'd grow PFA too and maybe Vivaldi as that did particularly well for me in pots last year.

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Permalink Reply by Damo on January 10, 2012 at 19:30

Thanks for all your suggestions, and I think I've decided on my final list.

First Early - Arran Pilot

Second Early - Charlotte

Maincrop - Pink Fir Apple

I will also be growing Kestrel and Blue Belle for show (and eat) as well as Winston (as I've heard some people like the taste so I thought I'd give it a try as it's so good on the showbench as well).

One of the great benefits of going to a Potato Day is you can pick up single tubers so I'm sure I'll get a some other varieties (such as Salad Blue) to give them a try. I'll let you know how I get on!