[fletcherbaker]

I know this is way way to early as iv only just started harvesting this years 1st earlies,iv harvested pentland javelin so far and im very impressed with the yield in bags i got 33 from 3 seed potatoes which i thought was good but i found the taste a little dissapointing anyways what seed potatoes do i need for a jersey royal type potato!

[DD.]

You need International Kidney.

You also need to plant them in soil that has been enriched by seaweed for centuries.

I've posted this link before - apologies to those who've seen it.

http://www.thisisjersey.com/community/history-heritage/vraic/

[Yorkie]

I've read quite a few reports from those who have grown International Kidney in the hope of getting spuds which taste the same as Jerseys.  Most of those posters were really quite disappointed.  As DD says, there's a certain je ne sais quoi about the true Jerseys which mainland can't repeat   

[DD.]

Very true regarding the disappointment, Yorkie.

A forum search on "International Kidney" should reveal all.

[fletcherbaker]

After looking at the forum i think ill give international kidney a miss what in your opinion is the best 1st early to grow

[Loubs]

So far, of the 4 first earlies I'm growing Wilja have blown me away. But maybe that's partly down to the soil here, and the superb well-rotted manure I was able to lay my hands on this winter.

But defo giving more space to Wilja & Homeguard next year, and will give Maris Bard & Vales Emerald a miss.

[Lardman]

I think so much of the taste is in the soil. The swift I did this year are pretty tasteless too.

Wilja is popular around your neck of the woods - I was over in Wolves today and there are places selling local new pots already - It might be worth buying a few type to find the taste you like in the soil you have.

[solway cropper]

It's been said many times but the taste of a potato has more to do with the conditions it's grown in than anything else. I try 2 or 3 new varieties each year and so far my favourites for taste are epicure and charlotte. Epicure has given smaller yields but will tolerate frost which has been a real bonus this year.

[DD.]

Charlotte is a must plant spud for me, but then so are PJ!

As has been implied - the answer lies in the soil - not nesessarily the spud!