Seed Potato Maris Bard

Maris Bard is a reliable, heavy-cropping first early that has been a favourite with gardeners for decades. Bred at the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridge and released in 1972, with Ulster Prince as one of its parents, it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its dependable performance. It’s one of the quickest varieties to crop, producing high yields of even-sized, oval tubers with smooth white skins, shallow eyes and creamy-white flesh. The firm, waxy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavour make it ideal for boiling and steaming as new potatoes or for summer salads, and it’s also good for frying.

Maris Bard shows good resistance to drought, bruising and common scab, and grows well in clay, loam or sandy soils, in full sun or partial shade. It’s also well suited to large containers and potato bags. Chit your seed potatoes in a cool, bright, frost-free spot for four to six weeks, then plant out from March, around 10cm deep and 30cm apart. Earth up as the shoots develop to protect them from late frosts and keep the tubers covered, as potatoes exposed to light turn green and shouldn’t be eaten. Keep well watered during dry spells, and your first new potatoes should be ready to lift around 10 to 12 weeks after planting, from early summer. Best enjoyed fresh from the garden.

Each pack is checked before dispatch. Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.