What are Seed Potatoes
Seed potatoes are simply potatoes that have been tested for disease. So farmer/growers submit their potatoes for testing and they are certified ‘disease free’.
So if you buy certified seed potatoes they will not carry viruses, pests or other soil carried diseases.
They may look a little small and a tiny bit wrinkled but they will help you grow a healthy crop.
What does Chitting Potatoes Mean?
- This is simply sprouting your potatoes before planting them.
- The advantage is said to be that they will grow more quickly.
- You can Chit potatoes in the dark, or in light, indirect light in a cool position is recommended.
Why do you Chit Potatoes before planting?
First of all you not have to Chit or sprout them before planting them. Most commercial growers don’t do it.
- If you do chit your seed potatoes you can also see how many shoots it is sending out and consider cutting the potato into 2 or 3 pieces.
- However it beating those late frosts that would be the main reason to chit them.
Why grow from seed potatoes?
You should grow potatoes from Certified Seed Potatoes available for sale from reputable suppliers.
It is possible to simply buy some from a specialist green grocer and keep them for seed, or use leftover potato peelings.
However, you do run the risk of introducing diseases if you use leftovers or buy from supermarkets or green grocers. So we recommend that you always buy certified seed potatoes. And here are our notes on growing potatoes
Seed Potato Varieties
Desiree are a round, pink skinned potato with pale yellow flesh, a good all round potato.
Dutch Cream is a very similar potato variety to Nicola, see below.
Kipfler are a cigar shaped yellow skinned potato with light yellow flesh. Kipfler are good for salads, boiling and roasting.
King Edwards are an oval potato white and pink skin with white/pink flesh. Good for, chips roasting, boiling and as a baked potato.
Nicola are an oblong potato with rich yellow skin and yellow flesh. Good in salads, roasted and boiled
Pink Fir Apple is a salad potato, great for boiling
Pontiacs are a round red skinned potato with white flesh, good for boiling, roasting, baking and microwave.
Russet Burbank are a white fleshed potato. Roast or dry bake
Sebago are oval/long shaped white skin and white flesh. Boiled, salad, baked or roast
Bintje are an oblong cream skinned potato with light yellow flesh, good for salads, frying and microwave.
Seed Potatoes are available for sale from the following suppliers
Best Potatoes For Air Fyer Chips
For Air Fryer try growing Maris Piper, Russet (Idaho), Yukon Gold, King Edward or any other starchy, floury potato types that are low in moisture.
Top Tips for air fryer chips.
- Cut your potatoes into thin chips.
- Soak for 15 – 20 mins in cold water.
- Drain and pat dry – Important to pat dry.
- Heat air fryer to 200C for 10 mins before putting your chips in.
- Optional – Toss you chips in 1 – 2 tsp of oil and a little salt. You can also add paprika, garlic, gyros seasoning or any other seasoning you wish…
- Add the chips to the air fryer
- Air fry for 10 mins
- Toss the chips
- Air fry for another 10 mins
- At this stage you can take then out and serve or give them another toss and annoys 10 mins depending on how crispy you want them or your personal taste…..
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