Potato Types

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Last week we talked about the new seasons seed potatoes from the South Island (Cause they are best in my opinion) and promised to give you a list with specifications of the seed potatoes that would be available this season.
When choosing what types of seed potatoes to buy you should consider the following:
Select types that have been successful for you in the past.
Select types that are most suitable for the way you cook your potatoes such as baked, mashed, chipped etc.
Finally select types that you like the flavour of most. Generally speaking, home grown potatoes will have a much better flavour and hold together better when boiled than commercially grown ones. (There are a few exceptions to this)

1st Early
Cliff Kidney Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Kidney Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Waxy potato good for boiling, salads, casseroles & soups with excellent flavour.

Jersey Bennes Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Waxy potato good for boiling, salads, casseroles, soups and mashing.

Liseta Maturity: Approx 70-80 days Tuber Shape: Long oval Skin: White  Flesh: Creamy yellow General: Firm cooking waxy potato ideal for boiling, salads, casseroles, soups & roasting. High yielder.

Maris Anchor Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Excellent as an early boiling potato, also suitable for roasting.

Rocket Maturity: Approx 60-70 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Great boiling and roasting potato.

Swift Maturity: Approx 60-70 days Tuber Shape: Round Skin: White Flesh: Cream
General: Waxy potato ideal for boiling, salads, casseroles & soups.  High yielder.

2nd Early
Allura Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Round oval shape, shallow eyes Skin: White bright skin Flesh: White. General: Lovely tasting potato. Great boiled, roasted and as wedges or chips. Very versatile and suits all cooking requirements. Holds firm on cooking. Very high yielder.

Chippewa Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Round Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Excellent cooking potato good for boiling and roasting.

Heather Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Long oval Skin: Purple blue  Flesh: White General: Waxy potato ideal for boiling, salads, casseroles, mashing and roasting. Excellent flavour.

Ilam Hardy Maturity: Approx 70-80 days Tuber Shape: Oval round Skin: White  Flesh: White General: Floury potato ideal for mashing, baking, roasting, chips and wedges.

Karaka Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: White Flesh: White General: Great all round cooking potato with excellent flavour. High yielder.

Merlin Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Round to oval  Skin: Yellow, red eyes Flesh: Cream General: Great boiling potato.  High yielder.

Nadine Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Round Skin: White Flesh: White
General: Waxy potato good for boiling, salads, casseroles, soups.

Osprey Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber-Shape: Oval Skin: White with red eyes. Flesh: Cream General: Good for all purpose cooking. Stays firm,  great to microwave & roast. High yielder.

Pentland Dell Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Long oval Skin: White
Flesh: White General: Good cooking.

Purple Heart Maturity: Approx 80-90 days Tuber Shape: Oval and shallow eyes  Skin: Deep purple and smooth Flesh: Purple toned General: Great for salads,  boiling and microwaving Health: Strong in antioxidant benefits.

Purple Passion Maturity: Approx 70-80 days Tuber Shape: Oval long shape, shallow eyes
Skin: Purple Flesh: Cream to very pale yellow General: Excellent cooking
qualities great for boiling and chipping. Holds firm on cooking.

Main Crop
Agria Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Long oval Skin: Cream  Flesh: Yellow General: Floury potato suitable for boiling, mashing, baking, wedges and great for chips. High yielder.

Desiree Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Round Skin: Pink Flesh: Cream
General: Good for all general cooking, great to microwave.

Moonlight Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Round oval Skin: White  Flesh: White General: Good all purpose, cooks well as a boiling and chipping potato. High yielder.

Red King Maturity: Approx 100-120 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: Red Flesh: White
General: Good all round cooking potato with excellent flavour.

Red Rascal Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Oval Skin: Very red  Flesh: White General: Floury potato that is a good all purpose cooking.  Suitable to be grown organically.

Rua Maturity: Approx 100 days Tuber Shape: Round to oval Skin: Fine white
Flesh: White General: Good all rounder for roasting and boiling.

Van Rosa Maturity: Approx 90-100 days Tuber Shape: Round Skin: Very red
Flesh: White General: Good all purpose potato, great for boiling and roasting
Look for the bags of seed potatoes that say ‘Grown in South Island’ if you cannot find the variety you want at your garden centre then ask them to obtain it for you.
As there are so many types, a garden centre may only buy in the most popular varieties for their customers but as they are re-ordering regularly, then they can obtain your special ones when they re-order.  (till a variety runs out for the season.)
For the information on growing and the control of pests from last weeks article you can find it now on our web pages below.
Problems ring me at 0800 466464 (Palmerston North 3570606)