Kestrel Potatoes

Kestrel Potato Seed

When launched Kestrel took the exhibition scene by storm because of its consistent size and colour. Rated as one of the best tasting varieties with excellent cooking uses and disease resistance. Kestrel are the potatoes that you should always grow. Modern disease resistant potato with well above average flavour, good yields and top exhibition appearance. Kestrel produces white skin with white flesh and pink eyes, Long Oval potatoes

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Soil preparation for second early seed potatoes

Prepare the soil for open ground beds in November or December in the year prior to growing second early potato crops. Incorporate plenty of organic matter to improve soil structure, moisture retention and to add essential nutrients to the soil. On heavy clay soils and light sandy soils ensure ample amounts of organic matter or well-rotted manure is added to help improve soil quality and aid drainage.

Buy or order your second early seed potatoes in January or February so that you have them ready to plant in April when conditions allow.

An open sunny position is best for all types of potatoes and it’s advisable not to plant seed potatoes in ground that has previously been used to grow potatoes for 2 years or longer. Rotating crops each year will help reduce the possibility of disease.

The same applies to soil, in which second early potatoes have been grown in containers. For best results use fresh soil each time. Second early seed potatoes will benefit from chitting, which is the process of placing the potatoes in a light, cool place prior to planting, so that new shoots are encouraged to sprout.

Planting second early seed potatoes in beds

Choose a dry day during mid to late April and ensure any frost has lifted from the soil. Lightly rake the soil, in which the potato crop will be grown, into a manageable fine tilth. Using a spade, dig a trench approximately 10cm deep and then place the seed potatoes at a distance of 37cm apart and 75cm between rows. Ensure the potatoes have the rose end, which usually has the most shoots, facing upwards. Finally, cover the seed potatoes with soil and lightly firm.

A light sprinkling of potato fertiliser can be spread over the top of the soil and water applied sparingly. Frosts can severely damage the emerging potato shoots so covering the planted trenches with polythene cloches is highly recommended during the first few weeks. Keep the young plants well watered during dry spells.

Growing second early seed potatoes in containers

Second early potatoes can be successfully grown in large containers with a capacity of at least 30 litres. Containers can be wooden, plastic, clay or metal as long as adequate drainage holes are present so that excess water can drain away freely. If containers are allowed to become water-logged, the potatoes will be damaged by rot and will become useless.

Fill containers to around two thirds capacity and then plant the seed potatoes with the rose end facing upwards. Cover the seed potatoes with 100cm of soil and press down the soil firmly. Potato fertiliser can be sprinkled over the top and a light watering may be required if the soil is particularly dry. It is advisable to cover the container with clear polythene until the green shoots appear. When the shoots are about 75cm high remove the polythene cover and water the plants. Containers can dry out very quickly, especially in warmer weather so ensure plants are kept well watered at all times.

Most of this information was gathered from our Suppliers website (www.simplyseed.co.uk) we will refine this information over time.