[6555]

HI ALL I AM NEW TO THIS SITE AND WONDER IF ANYBODY COULD TELL ME HOW TO GROW REAL BIG BAKIN POTATOES , I HAVE TRIED A COUPLE OF TYPES BUT TO NO AVAIL ,
WHAT TYPE GROW BIGGEST ?
WHEN SHOULD I PLANT THEM ?

[peabody]

bakin potatoes, thats a good question,must be a special variety,they always seem to have a pale complexion :?

[paintedlady]

I've grown Kestrel & ended up with some large spuds which make wicked baked potatoes.  These are 2nd earlies, and I planted mine mid-April (ish) but will still need protection from late frosts.

[Rampant_Weasel]

i think the secret as with any other plant is good preparation of the soil, lots of well rotted manure around now dug in.variety of spud is personal preference i think.most ppl try new ones each year.

[Iain@JBA]

To grow big potatoes you will need plenty of space for them to grow.
They need alot of feeding and water to grow big so your soil preperation is very important and should be packed full of feeding with extra fertilizer if you have poor soil or are unsure.
Big growing potatoes are Kestrel/Winston/Pentland Crown but all potatoes can grow to a large size really given time.

[Salmo]

When you plant your seed potatoes rub out with your fingers all but 2 of the shoots. This will mean fewer but larger potatoes. Space about 16 inches apart in the row. Grow in 30 inch rows.

[cawdor2001]

Agree with Salmo re spacings, don't plant too close together.   try Cara (late maincrop var) and Marfona (second early), they can get very large.  Chit the seed and plant them both in early April.


Cawdor

[GrannieAnnie]

When we first moved here to Lincs, the old lady next door was in hospital, and her friend was looking after her garden.  He gave us a big bucket of Desiree, and one of them weighed over 1.5lbs!

That night it wasn't a case of how many potatoes do you want for dinner brian, but how many chunks of the potato!!!!  

[DD.]

"Ambo" is the way to go!

It's a Desiree/Cara cross - excellent size spuds.