1kg Foremost Seed Potatoes First Early

An uncommon commercial potato variety, the Foremost potato is much more commonly found in the gardens and allotments of grow your own enthusiasts. This plant produces small, oval shaped tubers with a white skin and waxy flesh. These potatoes are prized for the solid flesh that doesn't disintegrate easily during cooking, making them ideal for boiling. These potatoes are not as disease resistant as other varieties so they will require a bit more care, but its worth it for the fantastic taste that you won’t find in the supermarket.

You will know these potatoes as ‘new potatoes’ because they are the first to be harvested in June. They should be planted around the end of February to late May and take around 10-12 weeks to mature. They are ideal to plant in grow bags or containers. These potatoes will have a softer texture and are great in salads. Varieties include Red Duke of York, Lady Christl.

Potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow at home and one seed potato can produce a large harvest (around 10 kg per 3m row). In a sunny space with well-draining soil, dig straight trenches about 12cm (4") deep 60cm (23") apart. Place your seed potatoes in the trench with 30cm (11") space between each then cover with the soil from the trench. Water well to help the potatoes establish and then regularly to keep the soil moist. Soon they produce green shoots, when the shoots are about 20cm (7") tall, use a rake, hoe or spade to pile soil around the shoots about halfway.

When the plants begin flowering in June and July you should be ready to harvest the potato. Gently put your hand in the soil feel the potatoes, if they are about the size of a chicken egg, they are ready to harvest. Cut the potato plant to ground level then gently lift the plants out with a fork. These plants do not store well so only harvest when you want to eat them.

• Grown in Scotland
• Tuber size 35mm - 60mm