Potato Growing 2024

Bought some Pink Fir Apple for main crop and Sharpes Express for 1st early, now chitting in egg cartons on the windowsill in the conservatory on the north facing side, I like my spuds grown before I bake 'em lol.

 

I'm trying rocket first earlies. Have done second earlies for the last two years i think

 

I don't have room to grow a lot, but I have always liked PFA and fancied an early that I had not grown before, my local farmer gets me a couple of sacks of Roosters for the main supply over winter.

 

I do similar, just grow earlies and get a sack of golden wonder from a farmer who is on the way to my brothers house to see me through autumn and winter.

 

I only grow PFA but I bought a small pack of a variety called La Ratte from a farm shop that specialises in potatoes.

I found they taste very similar but are less knobbly than pfa .

 

Are they a 'maincrop' variety? , to harvest Sept-Oct or are they earlier?

 

Another main crop I think as I bought them a couple of months ago.

 

Anya (from Sainsbury!) would be similar but are a 2nd early, ideal salad variety. Plant March, 17 week to mature.

 

Everyone seems to go for Charlotte and I've seen that suggested as a salad variety but cant say I've been impressed with ones I have bought.
Must admit I've never grown them.

I have heard of Anya, but not tried them.

Edit,
Looking up Anya I see its a cross between Desiree and PFA, and named after Lady Sainsbury. Strange Name?

 

Charlottes have always been a good do'er for me and tasty ,might try some Aran pilots and international kidney this year..

 

I grew International Kidney a couple of years ago and they were nothing like Jersey Royals, which are so called, the same variety.
I was also surprised to find they are second earlies.

 

Really,now I thought they were Firsts too ....I did grow both Arran Pilots and International Kidneys few years back...Hmmm you got me thinking now.

 

Reading up, you can grow them as first earlies if you chit them.
TBH, I think most of this early, maincrop etc. is just a bit iffy.
If you dig any spud early you get earlies, small with a loose skin that rubs off.