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Maris Peer are Second Early potatoes which were bred at the Plant Breeding Institute near Cambridge in the 1950s. The "Maris" part of he name came from the lane where where the Breeding Institute was situated "Maris Lane".
A slightly smaller than average potato which produces a good crop. Nowadays Maris Peer is often grown in containers by amateur gardeners. It is also one of the favoured varieties for planting in summer and harvesting in late autumn and early winter.
Maris Peer Potato
Maris Peer is a dense potato which does not easily fall apart when boiled. Many people question why home grown potatoes fall apart when boiled, I can confirm from personal experience that Maris Peer, peeled or not, stays in one solid piece almost irrespective of how well or badly you boil it.
They also make ideal salad potatoes when harvested a week or two early. When fully mature the size of the plant is slightly smaller than average so wind damage is unlikely be a problem.
Maris Peer 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.
Maris Peer Flowers
The best time to chit / sprout Maris Peer 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 Maris Peer potatoes - it will give a more reliable crop although not absolutely necessary. Click here for our advice on how and why to chit / sprout potatoes.
The best time to plant out chitted / sprouted Maris Peer 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.
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 Maris Peer 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 Maris Peer potatoes can be spread over a couple of weeks. Be sure to read our page on storing potatoes to get the most from your crop of Maris Peer potatoes.
For other second early potatoes we have tested, select one from the drop down list below.
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