Top-performing potato varieties for a home garden
Growing your own new potatoes is a breeze, and they taste heavenly straight from the garden, superior to store-bought varieties. Small gardens benefit since they need less space compared to later varieties. Plant your seed potatoes in the ground, large containers or potato bags for best results.
January is the ideal time to source seed potatoes, but beware of the endless options available. We've sorted through 12 popular varieties to help you pick the best ones for flavor and yield. Here they are, based on our taste test:
- 'Vivaldi' AGM A favorite among our tasters due to texture and taste, it's also a top performer from our 2014 jacket potato trial. This second early variety yields a high quantity of evenly-shaped tubers.
- 'Accent' AGM Coming in second for taste, this first early comes with good texture and flavor, boasting a heavy yield of attractive pale yellow tubers, including some very large potatoes.
- 'Charlotte' AGM Although it gets third place for taste, this second early variety is a high-yielder with long, smooth tubers and yellow skin. Its waxy texture is commendable, but the flavor might not be as strong as other options.
- 'Jazzy' AGM A newer variety, 'Jazzy' places fourth for taste. Its flavor, texture, and well-flavored skin are all noteworthy, even if the yield is on the lower side.
- 'Casablanca' AGM Despite the highest yield, including a good proportion of large, round, white tubers, our tasters placed this first early variety second from last in terms of flavor and texture. Some slug damage was also observed.
Keep in mind that these conclusions are based on our specific taste test. You may discover different preferences when conducting your own test.
To find these seed potatoes, check out various garden centers and nurseries, both online and offline. If you're an allotment member, you may be able to purchase potatoes directly at a reduced price. Make sure to inspect the seed potatoes carefully upon arrival, ensuring they're firm without any signs of mold.
Happy gardening and enjoy your homemade new potatoes!
Tips for growing great new potatoes
While exploring various garden centers and nurseries for seed potatoes, consider adding home-and-garden sections to your list as well, since gardening enthusiasts often stock seed potatoes. To grow great new potatoes at home, follow tips such as selecting a sunny and sheltered spot, using well-drained, fertile soil, and carefully inspecting seed potatoes upon arrival.
