[bobbyt]

Just wondering if everyone else has the same problem, my maincrop potatoes every year always seem to go to mash when boiled, steamed they are ok ish, but nowhere near perfect, roasted they always stick to the oven dish, and end up a mess, chips on any variety - impossible ! I've tried a lot of different varieties which they say they are great for roasties, or chips or boiling, but they never are when I grow them ! Getting to the point where its not worth the effort any more Which is a shame, as they are, or should be an easy to grow staple food. The soil is quite heavy, I dig a trench normally, and I always try and add plenty of compost when planting.

First earlies are great, and also Charlotte if picked as soon as they flower (Monty Don's advice ). But I can't store those.

Can't fathom out whats going wrong, tried potato feed when planted, rotted manure, MP compost. Nothing seems to work. I've used King Edwards, Maris Piper, Picasso, Desiree etc etc. Any advice? Or just keep trying 

[mumofstig]

Have you tried Sarpo Mira? It is a quite late variety - but it is the most 'solid' variety I've grown, and doesn't go to mash easily..

[Kleftiwallah]

Good morning bobbyt,
"Kestrel" is the potato of choice in this household for a 'firm' potato, not 'floury' , it looks good too with purple patches on the skin.

[bobbyt]

Ok, thank you both, I'll try Kestrel and Sarpo Mira next season and update you on results. #Thanks again.

[Snow]

Charlotte can store as well as any I have found, just not picked as earlies. I have been eating them in the past in May the following year. If I were to grow maincrops I would definitely go with the blight resistant sarpo ones. Charlotte is good because you can eat them as earlies or leave them a bit and pick them as an early maincrop in July, then plant something after them

I grew yukon gold this year and they were excellent second earlies. Only have a small patch this year though so I've used them all up and can't speak of their storing qualities.