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POTATOES
The worldwide potato crop was around 322 million metric tons in 2005.
China 75 million metric tons (23.3% of global potato production) Russia 37 million metric tons (11.5%)
India 25 million metric tons (7.8%) - over 40% of global production -
Ireland's potato crop was 375 thousand metric tonnes in 2008
Ireland's consumption per capita is 120 kg whereas in Italy it is 30 kg.
There are 25,000 acres devoted to potatoes in Ireland Potatoes are the world's most widely grown tuber crop, and the fourth largest
crop in terms of fresh produce - after rice, wheat, and maize ('corn').
OVERVIEW
At Fruit Hill Farm we offer a range of potatoes to suit every taste. Our varieties have been chosen with care to offer you the grower the widest choice of Organic Seed. To be on this list the variety must have a reputation for disease resistance and strong growth. A strong plant with some degree of blight resistance will mean less need for spraying. There is no such thing as the perfect potato. If a variety doesn't get blight it might get blackleg or scab. It is therefore worthwhile to grow a few varieties to be certain of the best crop. Growing Instructions After purchase chit (sprout) the potatoes. Place the seed in a shallow tray with any shoots facing upwards. Put the tray in a cool, light place protected from frost. Soon the seed potatoes will produce strong sprouts. Plant into warm, fertilised soil (or large pots) once the risk of frost has passed. Plant 10cm deep and 25cm apart with the shoots facing upwards. Leave 60cm between each row. Ideally First Earlies should be planted in March/April and all others in April/May. When growth is about 20cm tall pile up the soil around them (earthing up). This will prevent light getting to the tubers (they can go green if this happens) and will create better drainage and give the plant more room to grow. Harvesting
Earlies are best harvested in small quantities, when the first flowers appear. Cook immediately so that the flavour is retained. Main Crop are best lifted once the foliage has died back in the autumn. Plant Health A healthy potato plant is much more able to withstand poor weather conditions and attacks from disease carrying spores. Liquid Seaweed , Liquid Garlic or Vitanal can be used to strengthen the crop. Homemade sprays like liquid nettle or comfrey manure are equally useful. Spray regularly at least three times at different (early!) growth stages. Copper Sprays can also be used against blight (acceptable under organic standards are 8kg copper/ ha/season)
The Potatoes - Certified Organic and Disease free
Colleen 1st early Good resistance to tuber blight, potato virus and scab. Oval tuber, light yellow skin, yellow flesh A fairly waxy potato that fries well Quite versatile in the kitchen. The earliest Early Available for protected planting from December on
Orla 1st early/maincrop
Strong plants. Highest blight resistance first early. Well able to fight off scab and potato virus Good sized oval tubers. Very clean cream coloured skin. Excellent eater, Good general purpose potato. Can be left in as a maincrop. Available for protected planting from December on
British Queens 2nd early
Reasonable blight, virus and scab resistance. Short oval tubers, creamy skin and flesh Superb flavour and floury texture.
Marris Peer 2nd early/salad
Medium blight ans virus resistance. Good scab resistance. Oval shaped equal sized tubers. Cream skin and flesh Firm texture and intense potato taste. Excellent salad/boiling potato.
Sante Maincrop - early Very high blight, virus and scab resistance. Also resistant to white and golden eelworm. Round equal medium sized tubers with cream coloured flesh. Very tasty, floury to firm potato. Good multi-purpose spud
Robinta Maincrop - early
Very good blight and scab resistance. Some eelworm resistance Red oval tubers creamy flesh. Excellent yields, reliable cropper. A delicious potato for baking and cooking. Medium firm to floury, never disappointing.
Record Maincrop
Medium blight and virus resistance. Susceptible to eelworm. Oval cream coloured tubers. Light yellow flesh Classic floury potato with great flavour. Very tasty roasted
Remarka Maincrop Very strong against blight and virus as well as scab. Big oval tubers. Creamy skin, light yellow flesh. High yield. The large tubers cook well particularily good for baking. Fine flavour. Firm to mealy cooking. Excellent family potato
Setanta Maincrop
New Irish potato. Very good blight and scab resistance. Red oval tubers, medium yellow flesh, high yields. Real floury potato. Good eating qualities. Ideal for baking or roasting. Sarpo Axona Maincrop This is one of the Hungarian Sarpo varieties. High resistance against blight, virus and scab. Vigorous growth suppresses weeds.Red, oval long tubers. Cream coloured flesh, high yields.High dry matter content. Floury potato with good taste.
Arran Victory Maincrop - late
Moderate blight, virus and scab resistance. Tall weed suppressing foliage. Attractive blue/purple tuber with white flesh. Good yield in long season A real gourmet potato. Wonderful floury, mealy taste and texture. One of the best mashing potatoes. Goes well with butter!
Golden Wonder Maincrop - late Medium blight and good scab resistance. Red/brown long oval tubers. Cream coloured flesh Dry and floury. Unbeatable for roasting and baking. Best after maturing in storage.
Sarpo Mira Maincrop - late
Blight resistant. Good as well against virus and scab. Large red oval tubers. High yields. Benefits from late harvest. Good all-rounder. High dry matter, very good for chips and roasting.
Cara Maincrop - late Good blight, virus and disease resistance. Has high drought resistance. Uniform oval white tubers with red eyes, cream flesh. Reliable cropper with good yields, excellent storage. Universal table potato. High dry matter - floury, suitable for roasting and mashing. A good all-rounder.
Sarpo Mira Flower
As all soil is different so will be the resulting potato. Try a few varieties ( see our seed potato mix ) 'till you find the perfect one for you. What is locally grown is normally a good guide. You don't just want high yields - you want clean plates in the kitchen!
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