Potatoes are the main vegetable on the Russian table. There are varieties that require long-term storage. However, in June everyone really wants to taste fresh young potatoes, so summer residents are sure to plant some of the early ripening tubers. You can dig up bushes of early ripening varieties at the beginning of summer.
Advantages of early potato varieties
Even the earliest ripening varieties fully ripen in about 70 days, but already after 1.5 months from the moment of planting, you can dig up the bushes, removing the most ripened tubers. Young potatoes contain maximum benefits and have a good taste.
During the season, such varieties produce 2 harvests. Additional advantages include the fact that early potatoes are less affected by diseases and pests, since they are dug up before pathogenic microorganisms, such as wireworms and the Colorado potato beetle, have time to multiply in the soil.
Popular varieties of early potatoes
Today, quite a few varieties of early potatoes have been developed. Tubers differ in shape, size, color of pulp and skin, and starch content. It is also important to evaluate the characteristics of plants as a whole. This is why a description of each variety is given.
"Zhukovsky"
A common variety of potato for universal use. Tubers can be selected throughout the summer and at the very beginning of autumn. The harvest is not stored for a long time.The plant forms a compact bush with a semi-spreading crown and bright green foliage. The formation of potatoes occurs on long stolons, so it is convenient to dig up the crop in parts without harming the tubers remaining in the ground.
The flesh of the vegetable is white and sweetish in taste. Potatoes do not darken after peeling or during cooking and do not lose their texture. The first digging of tubers is done 40 days from the date of emergence. Full ripening time takes 55-65 days. The starch content in tubers is low. If the crop is kept in the ground, the taste of the potatoes noticeably deteriorates. The weight of each tuber is up to 150 g.
"Riviera"
An early variety bred in Holland. Potatoes are popular in many countries due to their fast growth and wonderful taste. The tubers are edible 30 days after planting. The ripening period declared by the manufacturer is 40-50 days. The starch content in tubers is less than 17%; this figure directly depends on the type of soil.
From one nest you can get up to 11 tubers, subject to proper agricultural practices. The bushes of this variety have strong stems and a developed root system. The leaves have a dark green tint. When cooked, the potatoes become crumbly. The average weight of tubers is 110-120 g. The variety is resistant to late blight, nematode and viral diseases.
"Colombo"
Another Dutch variety, popular among Russian summer residents. The tubers become edible 40 days after germination. The pulp and skin of the potato are yellowish in color. The average weight of the tubers is 100-110 g. From 10 to 15 potatoes can be formed in one nest.
The vegetable does not crumble during cooking.Potatoes can be cooked in almost any way, they are not only suitable for mashing. The shelf life of tubers in the cellar is long - up to 6 months. The variety is resistant to diseases such as late blight, scab, cancer, is almost not affected by nematodes, and tolerates weather fluctuations well.
"Vega"
German variety registered in the Russian register. “Vega” is recommended for planting in private household plots in the middle zone, but is also grown by summer residents in other regions. The size of the bush is medium, the shoots are located vertically. It takes 50-65 days for the crop to fully ripen. The variety has a table purpose. The average weight of potatoes is 110 g, the shape is oval, the peel and pulp of the tubers are yellow.
The harvested crop is best suited for frying and preparing salads; the vegetable does not turn black during cooking. The tubers are characterized by excellent keeping quality and are not prone to germination. Potatoes are resistant to typical diseases and easy to care for. "Vega" easily withstands the effects of adverse weather factors.
Plant early potatoes in the ground without delay, and then the harvest can be obtained faster. As soon as the soil temperature reaches +10 °C, it is time to start planting. Pre-germination of tubers also speeds up the ripening of the vegetable. Germination of planting material begins a month before planting.
