Kem Ormond’s vegetable garden: Potato varieties – top tips for planning and planting
Don't plant your potatoes yet, but have a think about what you'll plant when the time comes. Photo / 123rf
Kem Ormond is a features writer for The Country. She’s also a keen gardener. This week, she’s comparing potatoes with potatoes.
I know it is too early to plant your potatoes, but it is a good time to start thinking about which variety you might plant this year and where in your garden you will plant them.
Remember to journal what you plant so you can compare crops each year.
It is good to keep track of which varieties do better than others in your conditions.
Why not try a few different varieties and colours of potatoes, such as some of the Māori potatoes (taewa)?
These potatoes are generally smaller and knoblier, but come in the most gorgeous colours, from soft pink to dark-purple-skinned.
These heritage tubers, as they are called, are cherished for their superior, buttery taste, dense waxy textures and exceptional health benefits.
I have read they have up to 10 times more antioxidants than modern supermarket potatoes.
While I prefer to plant Swift for my early crop, I have used Rocket and Cliff Kidney as well, at various times.
I am lucky and do not get frosts where I live, have great soil and do look forward to lovely freshly dug potatoes come December!
Early crop potatoes usually take 90-100 days of growth before they are ready to harvest.
I have had remarkable success with Swift, so I stick to planting what I know likes my conditions and produces well.
Rocket, which seems to be another favourite with gardeners, is the fastest-growing potato and is ready to harvest at around 90 days.
It is a great potato to grow in containers and a good one to use for boiling.
Taewa are potatoes that have been grown by Māori for over 200 years and are easy to grow in all areas of New Zealand.
Some varieties were chosen for their prolonged storage life, a key factor in deciding what was to be grown and stored in the pātaka (storage house).
I am seeing more becoming available, and I know people who are trying them for the first time.
Many of these are specific traditional varieties, including Moemoe, Huakaroro and Karuparera.
Harvest time for these is approximately 120 days.
Plant in September for a Christmas harvest. When the foliage starts to die down, it is time for the harvest to begin.
A few varieties you might like to try follow.
Whataroa: This is anearlier potato that can be harvested at 110 days. Light brown to purple skin with creamy-purple flesh. Great to be used as wedges, chips or oven-baked.
Urenika: A long yam-like potato with thin purple skin and deep purple flesh, which contains higher levels of phytonutrients than normal potatoes. The thin skin makes them perfect for boiling and steaming.
Moemoe: Great all-purpose potato, fantastic for chipping, boiling and baking. Its firmer texture means it keeps its shape after being boiled. Light purple-pink skin with creamy flesh. This potato has a prolonged storage life.
Huakaroro: This isa cream-coloured potato with creamy flesh and an oval, round shape. Perfect for boiling and it can be stored for a prolonged period.
Karuparera: This is an ideal potato for salads and boiling. It is round in shape with dark purple skin, white eyes and cream flesh. Approximately 120 days to harvest.
Potatoes are such a good staple to have in the house and are well worth growing.
Nothing is nicer than the taste of a freshly harvested garden potato.
Smothered with butter and some freshly chopped parsley ... delicious.