Tastiest Potatoes

[Lizzy]

Has anybody got any views on tastiest potatoes? I did grow Rocket (did not like flavour and some rotted, due to weather) Charlotte, one of my favourities, also Kestrel, both were good. Charlotte slightly better flavour than Kestrel, but Kestrel had a better crop. Have got some maincrop but cannot remember the name of them, I did not mark them and have a head like a sieve. The potatoes are very small, very tasty, white potatoes with pink blotches on skin.

I am starting to plan for next year and would like your view on best performance and of cause taste.

Best Wishes

Liz

[Sebbster]

Lizzy, withouth doubt Annabelle, which is an early. It's doesn't give the largest harvest but such a lovely flavour.

Watched an episode of "Grow Your Own Veg" on UK something which was showing it all day Sunday and it's the favourite of Carol too.

My mains were Cara but I've had a bad crop from them, not their fault it's the slugs They tasted great but I had to lift them all early so still small and 'holey'....

Will be trying Red Fir next year as heard good things. Plus some other varieties but not decided yet, that's a cold winter's evening job with a few brochures....

[Lizzy]

Thanks for that, might try Annabelle next year. Have you tried putting some rhubarb next to your potatoes when planting? I have done this for the last two years, not every potato excapes slugs but I find it does help. I break sume rhubard stems up and put two pieces (one each side of the potato) in when planting.

[Sebbster]

Interesting, I may try that then..... Would have been fine but for our site getting flooded earlier in the year, ever since then I've been riddled with the blighters...

[clareg]

Hi

I like Kestrel too Lizzy, its a good all-rounder (but especially mash) and seems to do well in all conditions. I had a bumper crop of Arran Pilots, but all my main crops caught blight (Desiree, Kerr's Pink & Maris Piper). I've just started some Charlottes in buckets at home, well away from the allotment. Hoping for new tatties around Xmas.

Clareg

[Two_Sheds]

Arran Pilot, lovely. Pink Fir Apple (main, but will be digging them from August to December) are great salad potatoes, very firm and waxy (so not good for mashing).

I escaped the blight, not sure how.

[Alice]

Charlotte and Cherie are great salad potatoes. Rooster are great roasting potatoes. It's all horses for courses.

[jacob marley]

It is every one to there own taste i personly only grow King Edwards some people can't grow them i was told when i took my plot on you can't grow them here but if you give them plenty of water with comfrey mixed it seems to work ok for me but as i said at the start people's taste's are different good luck with what ever you grow jacob

[Lizzy]

Thanks everyone for the response. I have two allotment plots and wanted to grow more potatoes and onions next year. I will grow Kestrel and Charlotte again, but, wanted something else to try. You have given me something to think about.

Thanks

Liz

[Kayt]

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would say hello as a newcomer. Have just taken over my first allotment and although it looks a bit daunting, lots of weeds, brambles and general rubbish, I'm quite excited about it all. Have been reading lots of your bits and pieces and will certainly be back - probably with lots of questions!
Kay

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the vine Kayt.

Lizzy, I thought that Juliette were excellent first earlies.definately growing them next year.

[Hazel at the Hill]

.....and one not to bother with...

As noted here by the good grapes of the vine, Rocket taste of ... well not very much, i didn't think.

Have loved the cara, nadine and maris piper tho'. Will go for a more salady/waxy on in the mix for next year - charlotte, perhaps.

[muckdiva]

Try some Roseval if you get the chance. It's an early maincrop red potato (got my tubers from the Garden Organic Potato day, but they are also available from Alan Romans). They were the best yielding of several varieties I planted and taste was fantastic.

[moggssue]

My first time at growing potatoes so I have nothing to compare with, but have just started eating my Maris Piper. The plants caught blight, I kept them going until it got bad then cut off the foliage, and I still have lovely big potatoes which taste great boiled and chipped. I'm amazed at the size of some of them given the conditions.

[Cutecumber]

They don't give a massive crop, but International Kidney (aka Jersey Royals) are still the best tasting earlies that I have grown.

Rocket - not much flavour
Swift - not much flavour
Red Duke of York - liked by others for good flavour (not me personally, but I am weird!)
Duke of York - similar to the reds, but not as tasty

Next season I am getting International Kidney and Foremost, I hope.