Potatoes

It’s a matter of taste !

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Carpenters Farm Shop
St. Mary's Road
Great Bentley
Colchester
Essex
CO7 8NJ

Tel: 01206 250221 or 01206 251741
Fax: 01206 251741 (shop hours only)

Potatoes

Carpenters Farm Potatoes

- Seeded in November
- Planted from February
- Save ŁŁŁ's, buy direct from us on the farm for the best price around. See instore for our latest promotional offers.
- Harvested from May

Potatoes are grown at Carpenters Farm by David and his right hand man Jon. The production process starts with the traying up of Scotch seed in November. This seed is then exposed to fluorescent lights and kept free from frost for the next four months. This is to get the seed to chit (start growing & produce a small green shoot) ready for planting.

Planting takes place between February and April depending upon the weather and the varieties being planted.
Good soil preparation is essential for growing potatoes this involves several cultivations techniques and the adding of fertiliser before planting. The plants are then lovingly nurtured for the next three months for early potatoes, and for five months for main crop.

Irrigation of the crop is essential as this is the driest area of the country. Harvesting takes place from the end of May until October.

This year we will not be growing Pentland Javelin so Maris Bard will be the first potato to be lifted. They are very versatile new potatoes which as they get larger in size can also be used for chipping and baking.

This year we are growing a new variety called Harmony. Harmony is a firm, waxy potato with a pale white skin and fleah. It is an early main crop potato akin to Nadine (which many of our customers are very keen on.) You comments would be welcomed on this new variety.

Our second earlies/main crop varieties in 2010 are:

Estima
Nadine
King Edward

Main Crop Only Varieties:

Maris Piper
Desiree

September is when we bulk life all the remaining potatoes left in the ground known as the main crop. The potatoes are placed into 1Ľ ton boxes, which are stacked into an insulated and refrigerated store where they will be kept at 4 ° C for supplying the shop for the next nine months.

Potatoes are best stored in a cool (not frosty) dark, dry place. They are available to buy in the following weights :-

Loose, 2.5Kg, 5kg bags, and 12.5Kg & 25Kg Sacks and large baking potatoes loose.

Wholesale enquiries welcome.

	Estima Light yellow skin with a light yellow flesh. The Estima potato has a firm moist texture. This variety is excellent for baking, wedges, and boiling.
	Maris Piper A cream skin and cream flesh with a pleasant floury texture. Ideal for mashing, wedges, baking, chipping and of course roasting.
	Desiree Red skin and a light yellow flesh with a firm texture. The Desiree potato is suitable for mashing, roasting, chipping, baking, wedges and boiling.
	Nadine Cream skin and cream flesh with a firm, waxy texture. Ideal for boiling, wedges, baking & roasting.
	Harmony A very pale white skin and flesh, waxy potato ideal for boiling and baking.
	King Edward A floury variety with a white skin and distinctive pink colouration. The flesh is creamy and has a lovely flavour. The floury texture means that it is not well suited for boiling but ideal for potato dauphinoise, chips, roasting and mashing.

Click here for Potato Recipes

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