GardenCalendar.co.uk
OTHER POTATO PAGES
Charlotte are Second Early potatoes which were first released in 1981. They were bred in North West France but are now cultivated all over world. The parents of Charlotte are Hansa and Danae. In 1998 they were awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Charlotte Potato
Charlotte potatoes are a Second Early variety which can be left in the ground for a month or so longer than ideal - this usefully extends their cropping time.
They are a waxy potato and have a low dry matter content. This is one of the reasons that they one of the very best salad potatoes (warm or cold) and they make the finest potato salad.
Easy to steam or lightly boil, their do not easily fall apart when cooked. They are also excellent when sauted or roasted. The skin is smooth, browny-yellow, thin and this variety rarely needs to be peeled. They have a few shallow eyes.
The flesh is an attractive light yellow colour, the taste and texture is top class. Disease resistance is average and when harvested at the ideal time blight should not be a problem. The height of the plants when fully grown is average so they should resist windy conditions well.
Charlotte potatoes should be grown in the normal manner for Second Early potatoes. Click here for our detailed page about growing potatoes. The advice applies to growing potatoes in containers as well as in open ground.
The best time to chit / sprout Charlotte potatoes is the first week of March in average areas of the UK.
Sprouted Seed Potatoes
Being a Second Early variety it is well worth chitting / sprouting Charlotte potatoes - it will give a more reliable crop although it is not absolutely necessary. Click here for our advice on how and why to chit / sprout potatoes.
The best time to plant out chitted / sprouted Charlotte potatoes is about the first week of April in average areas of the UK.
Planting out on this date will give the chitted / sprouted potatoes about four weeks before they reach the surface of the soil. Whilst they are growing towards the soil surface the sprouts will be protected from frost by the surrounding soil.
Flower of Charlotte
Potatoes
By the time they do appear above the soil, the danger of frost will have passed and the sprouts will not be damaged by frost.
As with all vegetables, the time for harvest is dependent on many factors such as the weather conditions while they are growing and the general soil conditions.
On average however you can expect to start harvesting Charlotte potatoes in second week of July in average areas of the UK
Using the above date as a guide we would advise that a week before that date you use your hand to search through the soil to harvest one or two potatoes. The term often used for this activity is known in gardening circles as "furtling"!
It does almost no damage to the remaining potatoes but allows you to examine one or two of the potatoes to ensure they are of approximately the correct size. If they are, start harvesting, if not wait for two weeks and try again.
Harvesting Charlotte potatoes can be spread over three to four weeks. Be sure to read our page on storing potatoes to get the most from your crop of Charlotte potatoes.
For other second early potatoes we have tested, select one from the drop down list below.
OTHER POTATO PAGES
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
CONCERNING THIS PAGE, ENTER THEM BELOW.
WE WILL ANSWER ON
THIS PAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE