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Poor return on potatoes

bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
in Fruit & veg
For many years we haven't grown potatoes as all the work didn't produce much output.
We have had "rogue" potato plants in different parts of the veg patch and with nothing being done to them they produce potatoes the size of baking ones.
This year we decided to have another go and planted out pink fir apple.
Did all the trenching, earthed up through out. The plants had very good foliage being strong and sturdy and good colour.
When they died back we dug the first ones......6 miserable potatoes.
2nd one produced 10 and now 3rd and 4th together harvested 10. Not big by any means.
What are we doing wrong?
Many thanks

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Pink Fir Apple is a very old variety which is grown for the flavour and isn't particularly known for producing large tubers or heavy crops.  However, the weather has been far from ideal for growing potatoes in many areas with a long dry spell at an important point in their development.  I couldn't keep up with the watering here so also have a reduced harvest compared to previous years;  Perhaps the same happened to you?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Thank you Bob. I think that the weather did play a part.
    Pink Fir Apple are a great potato as you said for flavour.
    All the ones we had harvested are clean from any damage.
    Again thank you for the reply
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2020
    If you like Pink Fir Apple but need a more productive flavour try Anya ... PFA is one of its parents and it was bred to have all its positive points including flavour,  along with a bigger yield and an easier shape to cook with. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Thank you Dovefromabove. Will look into Anya next year and try again.
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