Seed Potato - Avanti

Seed Potato - Avanti Solanum tuberosum (NOT to WA, TAS & Kangaroo Island) Indeterminate variety Please note that the seed potatoes are sold as whole and may or may not have shoots -Supplied as dormant tubers. Desiree is a determinate variety. To ensure the longevity of the seed potato, store it within the 0-5°C range. ... Description coming soon ... Growing Guide Plant Imperial Blue seed potatoes during the cooler months from autumn through to spring. Choose a sunny position that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Prepare loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter, and incorporate a complete fertiliser such as blood and bone or a vegetable-specific blend before planting. Dig trenches 25 to 30 cm deep, spacing tubers 45 cm apart with at least 50 cm between rows. Plant each tuber 15 to 20 cm deep with the eyes facing upward, then cover with 5 to 10 cm of soil and water thoroughly. For container growing, use pots or grow bags at least 40 cm deep filled with a quality potting mix blended with compost. For a head start, consider chitting your seed potatoes before planting. Place them with the eyes facing up in a cool, dry, bright spot for four to six weeks until short, sturdy sprouts develop. Larger seed potatoes can be cut into pieces, ensuring each has one to two eyes. Allow cut pieces to dry for 24 to 48 hours before planting to reduce the risk of rot. Watering and Care When shoots reach 10 to 15 cm, begin mounding soil or mulch around the stems, leaving only the top leaves exposed. Repeat as plants grow until 25 to 30 cm of coverage is achieved. Mounding protects developing tubers from sunlight, prevents greening and improves moisture retention. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during hot, dry periods. Reduce watering two to three weeks before harvest to allow the skins to toughen for storage. Avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen, as this encourages leafy growth at the expense of tuber development. Harvesting Imperial Blue potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to yellow and die back, typically 80 to 100 days after planting. Once the foliage has died, leave the tubers in the ground for a further two to three weeks to firm their skins. Lift carefully with a garden fork, dry in a cool, shaded spot for a couple of hours, then store in mesh bags or breathable containers in a dark, well-ventilated place. For an early taste, try bandicooting, which involves gently digging around the base of the plant to harvest a few small tubers while leaving the rest to mature.