Potatoes

Spring is the time to get your seed potatoes. By purchasing them now you should have fresh spuds for Christmas Day.

Potatoes are one of the easiest and rewarding crops to grow and with so many varieties available for gardeners everyone can grow their favourite kind.

There is nothing more satisfying than to go out into the garden to dig a few potatoes to put straight into the pot or pan.  Potatoes are high in vitamin B and C, minerals and fibre. Weight for weight potatoes are low in calories and should be included in a well balanced diet.   And with so many varieties there is one to suit everyone.

Varieties:

A wide range of varieties are available, choose a variety that matches how you like to each them.

• Roasting. Moonlight, Agria or Rua
• Mashing. Moonlight, Agria and Ilam Hardy
• Boiling, new spuds Nadine, Jersey Benne, Cliffs Kidney
• Dry soils Karaka, Swift
• Growing in buckets or planter bags choose any early varieties, ie Cliff Kidney, Rocket

When, where and how to plant:

Potatoes can be grown in the garden or in pots, container even old car tyres. Choose a sunny position.
The first thing to do is get some certified seed potatoes from your local garden store. Don’t be tempted to go to the pantry and pull out those long lost spuds that have started growing in the depths of your kitchen. Go and get some certified Seed Potatoes.  Certification is extremely important for seed potatoes because you know the product meets strict quality standards, and are guaranteed to be true to type.  Non-certified seed potatoes can carry diseases that can be transferred to healthy plants via the soil.

Sometimes table potatoes, (the ones you get from the supermarket) start to loose some of their characteristics and vigor by the time you get your hands on them. Certified Seed Potatoes are generally stronger, more aggressive growers and are a lot more resistant to disease than non seed potatoes. Certified seed potatoes are disease free, and have been selected to give you the best results with the highest yields.

Once you have your seed spuds, you need to sprout them before you can plant them. You do this by laying them out in a single layer on a seed tray or box in a warm, dry and airy place. Sprouts appear from the "eyes", which are small buds. The "eyes" grow into shoots. When the shoots are 3-4cm long they are ready to plant out. Remove all but three of the strongest shoots for planting. Sprouting usually takes 4-6 weeks. Wood sheds, garages, under benches are all good spots. Once your spuds have sprouted and the threat of frosts has passed you can now plant out your crop.
While you are waiting for your spuds to sprout you could be preparing your potato plot for planting. For the best results choose a sunny position with good drainage. Spuds hate wet feet, so good drainage is essential. Dig over or cultivate the soil so it is nice and fine to a depth of about 20cm. (Fork depth). If you are growing in pots or containers choose a warm, sunny position where you will remember to water them. 

Growing Guide:

Mound up potatoes when you see shoots appear above the soil. Keep doing this until the mounds are approx 25cm above the ground. Applications of blood and bone will be beneficial.

Harvest:

Its always tempting to have a dig around your potato crop to see what’s happening under ground. It’s not a good idea. The Potato tells you when its ready to be harvested in a couple of ways. Early season varieties are ready 3 months after planting and when the flowers are fully open. Main crop and late season varieties should not be dug until tops have completely died down, usually in late March. Do not leave potatoes exposed to sunlight once they have been dug. If you are storing them, place in sacks (not plastic) in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place

How to use:

Use as a vegetable to accompany any meal either mashed, boiled, roasted, baked or fried. Or use in pies, cassoroles, curries and in salads.

Potato varieties:

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