[plot36]

Hi
I know this sounds silly but.... I am a bit Confused about the potato.
When you buy the spuds (to plant) How do you know what an early, main crop or late is.

Are they all the same and it depends on when you sow them?

I would like some new potatoes how would I go about getting theses

I have just purchased some from our allotment society but I for got to ask if they are early, main or late.

 So sorry about this very basic question to all you experts but this is confusing me and I just need to get it very clear in my head. LOL

Can any one please explain clearly?

Many Thanks

[love-my-plot]

Do you know the name of the variety that you've bought? That'll let us know if they're earlies, 2nds, mains or lates.... someone more knowledgable than me will be able to help with your other questions, but I think the length of time spuds take to mature ,determines what "type" they are ..... eg, earlies will be ready X amount of weeks from planting where as mains will need to be in the ground longer. Therefore your "new" potatoes will be earlies. The maincrop spuds store better, so are harvested later ..... I THINK that's the gist of it .... I'm fairly new to veg growing too so still  learning myself  

[Rob the rake]

Well put, LMP. Come on in Plot 36, tell us what you've bought.

[plot36]

Thank you both very much for taking the time to reply.

The name of the potatoes i got is "Desiree"

Hope that helps.

I just thought , because they have sold theses to us now they must be earlies? or am i very wrong.

Any help /advice you give will be most welcome.

Many thanks.

[Snap Dragon]

It's a maincrop - a good all rounder!

See here: http://www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/desiree/

[splodger]

desiree is a maincrop

[gobs]

Them are a late maincrop and a tasty multipurpose potato.

For new potatoes buy another lot of earlies, either first or second, Desiree will be a good storer for you, just mind the blight!

Ask what earlies they have, likely to have rocket, swift , charlotte, etc. these are commonly seen anywhere.

[Lynne]

The earlies I have bought are rocket, swift, sceptre. I have also bought Charlotte which are (I think) technically a salad potato but can be grown as earlies. I have also bought some international kidney which are near enough the same a jersey royals.

[plot36]

Thank you all so much for all your help and advice.

[sparky]

Thank you all so much for all your help and advice.

Where are you situated p36?