This year I've ordered a first early variety called Ulster Classic - in honor of the hubby's Belfast roots. We grew some towards the end of the season last year - planted them in early August with the intention of getting Christmas potatoes but got late blight in October so had to harvest them. The yield was surprisingly high, though there were lots of mini ones. But they tasted lovely and so I decided to order the same ones for this year. They've been chitting in the cool spare bedroom for about a week now and have started putting out little green and purple shoots.
The bed they're going in still has baby leeks and savoy cabbages in it, but I'll be harvesting the last of those shortly. First earlies should be planted between Feb and April, for harvest May to July. I'll start warming up the soil in the raised bed with a cloche and plant them within the next 4 weeks.
