Salad Type Seed Potatoes

How to choose salad potatoes

Salad potatoes are classified as 'earlies' but have a slightly longer season (10-12 weeks) than first earlies (8-10 weeks). They generally yield small, waxy tubers perfect for serving as boiled potatoes or in salads. They don't have a long storage life, so are best eaten fresh.

These tubers prefer evenly moist conditions, so make sure you keep yours well watered. Feed with a balanced fertiliser when you plant them, and consider a potassium-rich feed five to six weeks in. Watch out for slugs and blight. Organic sprays can help, as can companion planting with marigolds to repel pests, coriander to attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, or chamomile, which helps to nourish soil with sulphur and potassium.

Harvest your salad potato crop once flowers appear, or when the foliage starts to yellow – generally around three months after planting. Be careful with your garden fork, as you can damage their delicate skin when you're digging them from the ground.

Which variety is best for classic potato salads?

Potato ‘Charlotte’ and Potato ‘Nicola’ are classic choices, offering a wonderfully firm, waxy texture perfect for potato salads. Potato ‘Jazzy’ also excels in this regard.

Which salad potato is best for enjoying freshly boiled?

Potatoes ‘Charlotte’, ‘Nicola’, and ‘Jazzy’ are delightful when freshly boiled, perfect with butter and herbs. Potato ‘Anya’ also has a unique nutty flavour when boiled.

Which salad variety is known for providing good blight resistance for a healthier crop?

While no potato is fully immune to blight, Potato ‘Orla’ is a fantastic choice as it's known for good blight resistance, helping you achieve a healthier crop.

Which variety offers a unique shape or flavour that stands out in salads?

Potato ‘Anya’ has a distinctive, naturally irregular shape and a distinctive nutty flavour, making it a memorable addition. Potato ‘Pink Fir Apple’ also offers a nutty flavour along with its characteristic elongated form.