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Potatoes 'Institut de Beauvais' / 'la Marseillaise'

Potatoes 'Institut de Beauvais' / 'la Marseillaise'

Potatoes 'Institut de Beauvais' / 'la Marseillaise'

Product number: 406270.1
Origin: Europe
Latin: Solanum tuberosum

THE FRENCH "OVER-TOPPER"!
(1884) An old French variety, harvestable mid-early. The large (sometimes more than 500 grams) round tubers are light brown with a hint of pink and deep-set violet-colored eyes; the flesh is white. Typical are the sloping indentations, which create a very irregular shape. Deliciously floury, famous in France for the best purée made from it.

MID-EARLY VARIETY FOR GOURMETS.
A mid-early variety means it can be harvested from August. Harvesting a few weeks earlier is possible by planting earlier. Planting time is from mid-April, when the soil has sufficient warmth. Pre-sprouting in the light or in a large pot can be done earlier. Do not place them in too wet a spot, but well in the sun. Mid-early varieties can suffer from the feared potato blight (Phytophthora infestans). Some preventive measures are: plant widely, fertilize with patentkali, do not spray water over the plant and, if necessary, spray organically with sulfur or silinal. The average planting distance is 70x40 cm; we recommend keeping 80x40 cm to prevent diseases.

Names:
Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Aardappel
Also known as: Institut de Beauvais, La Marseillaise
English: Potato

Planting time:

April
May

Soil type:

All soil types

Location:

Flower colour: Light purple with white
Average growth height: 60 to 90 cm
Bulb / tuber size: 35/55
Attractive to insects: N/A
Annual or perennial: Perennial
Winter hardy: Not frost hardy
Origin: Europe
Ease of cultivation: Moderate

Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Potato
Also known as: Institut de Beauvais, La Marseillaise
English: Aardappel

“Potatoes just aren't what they used to be...” Do you recognise that sigh? Perhaps you lived (and tasted!) more intensely in the past, but when it comes to those old forgotten varieties, we have good news for you: they’re back, those spuds of yesteryear! Old varieties from before 1950 with special flavours, unique colours, unknown shapes. How wonderful it would be if all these historic varieties were available on a special shelf at the greengrocer... but for now, you'll have to grow them yourself (or have them grown) for this "new" culinary voyage of discovery. Here's a culinary tip: because of their special colour or shape, don't peel them, but clean them well and cook them whole; often the colour remains after cooking, and presentation matters, doesn't it? In the English tradition, harvested potatoes are neatly cleaned and displayed in baskets. You could further enhance this harvest presentation with unusual cucumbers, multi-coloured chard, pumpkins, red kale, blue corn: "browse" our seed guides for all those special (old but now trendy) vegetables. Potatoes that you have displayed for a while will slowly turn green and will no longer be edible. For the grower, it's important to know that these old varieties are more susceptible to disease: plant them with ample space and keep a close eye on them. A fun tip: just plant at least 5 varieties; they are packaged in small portions (1 kg), and put a clear sign next to each type. Cook and taste them separately, make it a "Van Gogh Potato Eaters Feast"... Do you know a "forgotten" variety: let us know. All that remains is to wish you a very good harvest and (for later): enjoy your meal!