Experts have shared information about the best varieties of early potatoes and the timing of their cultivation
However, it is worth noting that early potato varieties cannot be stored in the cellar for a long time. Therefore, experts advise planting several types with different ripening periods. This was reported by SSPDaily.
Which variety of early potatoes is the best
Ultra-early potato varieties are the first to yield. It is best to choose: Impala, Leader, Riviera, Skorospelka. It takes only 45-60 days from the first sprouts to harvesting.
Bellarosa, Sinyoochka, Orla, Impala, Sante, Sensation, and Meteor are also considered to be super-early potato varieties, but experts call Red Scarlet and Lasusok the most crumbly varieties.
Pink varieties, which are quite popular among Ukrainians, are also considered to be quite early: Infinity, Tornado, Kamensky, Kristina, Lyubava, Esme, Red Lady. On average, they ripen in 60 to 75 days. This also includes the purple varieties Arosa, Carmen, and the white varieties Triumph, Colette, Gulliver, Constance.
Of all the early varieties, 'Amethyst' and 'Gourmet' (with purple flesh) and 'Surprise' (pink variety) ripen the latest. After the sprouts appear, they develop for 75-85 days.
When to plant early potatoes
Experts consider frost the main enemy of early potatoes. It can seriously damage the plantings and even destroy the entire crop. Therefore, it is important to follow the planting dates recommended for each region. Equally important are factors such as soil warming and long-term weather forecasts.
Experts advise starting planting when the air temperature warms up to a stable +15 degrees Celsius during the day and +5 degrees Celsius at night. The recommended dates in Ukraine are as follows:
- South: March 20-30
- Central regions: April 1-10
- Transcarpathia: April 10-20
- North and East: April 25-30
- West: May 1-10.
Also, if frosts are predicted, and you already have quite large bushes, they should be spudded so that only the tips of the upper leaves are open. A small bed can be covered with agrofiber just before the frost.
