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Nicola are Second Early potatoes. They were bred by Dr. Hans-Juergen Fitschen in Germany. First released in 1973 they have quickly become a popular variety in many countries including the UK.
The parents of Nicola potato variety are Clivia and a seedling.
Nicola Potato
Nicola potatoes are medium sized and oblong with a few shallow eyes. They are good-looking, clean potatoes. The light brown skins are very thin and do not require peeling.
The flesh is light yellow and waxy which makes them ideal for boiling and serving as salad potatoes. Flavour is delicious, being slightly nutty.
Flower from Nicola Potato Plants
Nicola plants grow to a medium height so they are unlikely to be affected by windy conditions. They are susceptible to late blight but resistant to common scab.
Amateur gardeners have found that the Nicola variety does exceptionally well when planted in mid to late summer for a winter / Christmas harvest. Nicola is also one of the top performing varieties when grown in containers.
Nicola 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 Nicola 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 Nicola 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 Nicola 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 Ncola 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 Nicola potatoes can be spread over three to four weeks, they keep well in the ground. Be sure to read our page on storing potatoes to get the most from your crop of Nicola potatoes.
One specific variety you may wish to consider as an alternative to Nicola is Maris Peer. For other second early potatoes we have tested, select one from the drop down list below.
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