Potato Selector Guide

Step 1 - Cropping Type  |  Step 2 - Potato Variety  |  Step 3 - Planting up  |  Step 4 - Enjoy!

If you're not sure what type of potato you want to grow, or you're not really sure what the difference between a 'first early' and a 'maincrop' is then use our easy-to-use potato selector guide to help you find your perfect potato!

Step 1: Select your potato cropping type

Firstly, you need to decide what type of potato you want to grow. There are 4 main types of potato, which are explained below:

First Early Potatoes

• - These are generally best if you want to grow small, new potatoes.
• - Plant up from the end of February to late May.
• - First early potatoes are ready to harvest approximately 10 weeks from planting date.
• - Ideal for growing in bags or containers.
• - First early potatoes will benefit from 'chitting' prior to being planted.

Second Early Potatoes

• - These are generally best if you want to grow small, new potatoes.
• - Plant up from March to late May.
• - Second early potatoes are ready to harvest approximately 13 weeks from planting date.
• - Ideal for growing in bags or containers.
• - Second early potatoes will benefit from 'chitting' prior to being planted.

Maincrop Potatoes

• - Maincrop potatoes tend to produce larger potatoes which are ideal for baking and roasting.
• - Plant up from March to mid May.
• - They are ready to harvest approximately 20 weeks from planting date.
• - They are best grown in the ground where there is more room to grow but can also be grown in bags and containers.
• - Maincrop potatoes will benefit from 'chitting' prior to being planted.

Second Cropping Potatoes

• - Second cropping potatoes are also known as 'Christmas' potatoes as they can be lifted early and eaten in late Autumn, or stored ready for your Christmas dinner!
• - Second cropping potatoes must be protected from frosts. You can bring them into your greenhouse or garden shed when the first frosts threaten. This makes them perfect for growing in bags as they can be easily moved.
• - Plant up in bags or containers in Early August.
• - They are ready to harvest approximately 11 weeks from planting date.
• - Second cropping varieties do not require 'chitting'.

Other articles you might like:

• How to grow potatoes in the ground
• How to grow potatoes in bags
• Healthy Eating Guide
• Potato Recipes

Quick links:

• All potato varieties
• First Early Potatoes
• Second Early Potatoes
• Maincrop Potatoes
• Second Cropping Potatoes

Maincrop potatoes such as Sarpo Mira or Mayan Gold are perfect if you love wedges!

Step 2: Select your potato variety

First Early Potatoes  |  Second Early Potatoes  |  Maincrop potatoes  |  Second Cropping Potatoes

Now you have selected which type of potato you want to grow, you can now narrow your choice even further by selecting your potato variety based upon their culinary uses. Some varieties are better for roasting, whereas others are best for boiled potatoes. View our guides below for more information on potato culinary uses. You can either scroll down the page to browse or click on the cropping types above to view all varieties for that type, then simply click on the variety name for more information on that variety.

See below for our full list of First Early potato varieties:

First Early Potatoes	General Purpose	Chips	Wedges	Baked	Boiled	Mashed	Steamed	Roasted	Salad	New Potato
Potato 'Winston' (Exhibitor Grade)
Potato 'Accord'
Potato 'Arran Pilot'
Potato 'Duke of York'
Potato 'Epicure'
Potato 'Foremost'
Potato 'Home Guard'
Potato 'Maris Bard'
Potato 'Pentland Javelin'
Potato 'Red Duke of York'
Potato 'Sharpe's Express'
Potato 'Lady Christl'
Potato 'Rocket'
Potato 'Swift'
Potato 'Dunluce'
Potato 'Orla'
Potato 'Casablanca'
Potato 'Elizabeth' NEW
Potato 'Belana' NEW
Potato 'Golden Nugget' NEW
Potato 'Accent'
Potato 'La Bonnotte' NEW
Potato 'Luciole' NEW
Potato 'Ulster Sceptre' NEW
Potato 'Vanessa' NEW
Potato 'Customer Favourites Collection'
Potato 'Baby New Potato Collection'
Potato 'Beginners Collection'
Potato 'Allotment Favourites Collection'
Potato Exhibitor Collection
Potato 'Multi Minis Collection' NEW
Potato 'Blight Dodgers Collection'
Potato 'Favourite Earlies Collection B'
Potato 'Patio Planter Collection'
Potato 'Heritage Collection'

See below for our full list of Second Early potato varieties:

Second Early Potatoes	General Purpose	Chips	Wedges	Baked	Boiled	Mashed	Steamed	Roasted	Salad	New Potato
Potato 'Kestrel' (Exhibitor Grade)
Potato 'Ratte'
Potato 'Maxine' Exhibitor Grade
Potato 'British Queen'
Potato 'Marfona' NEW
Potato 'Charlotte'
Potato 'Maris Peer'
Potato 'Yukon Gold'
Potato 'Nadine' Exhibitor Grade
Potato 'Kestrel'
Potato 'International Kidney'
Potato 'Aura' NEW
Potato 'Piccolo Star' NEW
Potato 'Corolle' NEW
Potato 'Melody' NEW
Potato 'Shetland Black' NEW
Potato 'Novella' NEW
Potato 'Saxon' NEW
Potato 'Bonnie' NEW
Potato 'Nicola'
Potato 'Edzell Blue' NEW
Potato 'Milva' NEW
Potato 'Wilja' NEW
Potato Salad Collection
Gourmet Potato Collection
Potato 'Beginners Collection'
Potato 'Allotment Favourites Collection'
Potato Exhibitor Collection
Potato Patio Planters Collection
Potato 'Heritage Collection' NEW

See below for our full list of Maincrop potato varieties:

Maincrop Potatoes	General Purpose	Chips	Wedges	Baked	Boiled	Mashed	Steamed	Roasted	Salad	New Potato
Potato 'Mayan Gold'
Potato 'Valor'
Potato 'Juliette'
Potato 'Pink Fir Apple'
Potato 'Desiree'
Potato 'King Edward'
Potato 'Maris Piper'
Potato 'Sante'
Potato 'Picasso'
Potato 'Blue Danube'
Potato 'Cara'
Potato 'Lady Balfour'
Potato 'Druid'
Potato 'Golden Wonder'
Potato 'Kifli'
Potato Minituber 'Congo'
Potato Minituber 'Vitelotte'
Potato 'International Kidney'
Potato 'Blue Belle' NEW
Potato 'Harlequin' NEW
Potato 'Highland Burgundy Red' NEW
Potato 'Belle de Fontenay'
Potato 'Rubesse' NEW
Potato 'Salad Blue' NEW
Potato 'Chicago' NEW
Potato 'Infinity' NEW
Potato 'Setanta' NEW
Potato 'Kerr's Pink' NEW
Potato 'Markies' NEW
Potato 'Remarka' NEW
Potato 'Manitou' NEW
Potato 'Pentland Crown' NEW
Potato 'Record' NEW
Potato 'Stemster' NEW
Potato 'Arran Victory' NEW
Potato 'Sarpo Mira'
Potato 'Sarpo Axona'
Potato 'Sarpo Gwyn'
Potato 'Sarpo Una'
Potato 'Sarpo Shona'
Potato 'Sarpo Collection'
Potato 'Heritage Collection' NEW
Gourmet Potato Collection
Potato 'Beginners Collection'
Potato 'Allotment Favourites Collection'

Step 3: Plant up your potato tubers

The next step is to decide whether you are going to plant your potato tubers in bags or in the ground. If you have plenty of space in your garden for a vegetable plot, or you are lucky enough to own an allotment, then you should probably grow yours in the ground. Click here to view our 'how to' guide for growing potatoes in the ground.

On the other hand, if you do not have much room in your garden, or you have no garden at all, you can grow potatoes in grow bags, patio planters or containers on your patio, balcony or simply tucked away in an unused corner of your garden. Click here to view our 'how to' guide for growing potatoes in bags and containers.

Step 4: Enjoy your delicious home-grown potatoes

Nothing is more satisfying than the fresh flavour of newly dug potatoes lifted straight from your own garden, and after weeks of caring for your potato plants you can now enjoy your yummy potato crop! Not only have you reduced your 'food miles' but you know exactly what has gone into growing them.

Potatoes can be very healthy, providing you don't cook them in fat! They are also a good source of vitamins C, B6, B1 and fibre (particularly the skins!). For more information on healthy eating, click here.