Potato Purple Congo - Trenton Cottage
Potato Purple Congo - Trenton Cottage
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Potato Purple Congo

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Looking for a supreme potato that stands out from the rest? Purple Congo (Solanum tuberosum) is a unique and vibrant variety that offers something truly special. With its dark purple-black skin and rich purple flesh, this early-season potato isn’t just beautiful—it’s a powerhouse of antioxidants. Whether you’re preparing a stunning salad, a bold garnish, or using it for mashing, gnocchi, potato chips, or steaming, Purple Congo retains its striking colour when cooked, making every dish a visual masterpiece. It’s ready in just 70-90 days and has a mild flavour and creamy texture that make it perfect for a variety of dishes. Elevate your gardening game with Purple Congo, and enjoy a healthier, more colourful harvest that will impress on every plate.

SKU: TCSPOPCO500G Category: Tags: ,

Description

Potato ‘Purple Congo’
Important Shipping Information
We do not send seed potatoes to WA, TAS, or NT due to quarantine restrictions.

Introduction

Purple Congo is an early-season, determinate potato, ready for harvest in 70–90 days. As a determinate variety, it sets tubers in a single layer, maturing around the same time for an efficient harvest. With dark purple-black skin and vibrant purple flesh that retains its colour when cooked, it adds visual appeal and a nutritional boost with high antioxidants. Ideal for mashing, gnocchi, steaming, boiling, and fresh salads, it has a mild flavour and firm texture that hold up well in various dishes. A great choice for those in short-season areas or gardeners wanting an earlier harvest, this unique potato brings both flavour and colour to your plate.

Best Planting Times by Climate
Potatoes are usually planted from winter through to spring, allowing them to grow during the cooler months and develop properly before the summer heat. They are best planted at specific times for optimal growth, but alternative windows are possible with smaller yields.
• Cool Climates – August to February. Alternative: July, March-May.
• Temperate Climates – August to October. Alternative: April-July and January.
• Arid Climates – August to December. Alternative: May-July.
• Subtropical Climates – August to October. Alternative: March-May.
• Tropical Climates – March-May. Alternative: August-October.

Frost Considerations

Potatoes prefer cool to warm conditions but need protection from frost, as young shoots are vulnerable to damage. While planting after the last frost is ideal, they can be planted 2–3 weeks earlier in light frost areas since tubers take time to sprout and develop roots. Cool soil strengthens root growth, leading to healthier plants.

In heavily frosted regions, the ground may be too cold for proper development, slowing growth or causing rot. It is better to wait until after the last frost or chit potatoes indoors for a head start. For early planting, use pots or grow bags in sheltered areas or protect in-ground crops with frost cloths or mulch.

Chitting (Pre-Sprouting) and Cutting
Chitting helps potatoes establish faster by encouraging early sprouting. While not essential, it can still be beneficial, especially in frost-prone areas. Large seed potatoes may be cut to increase the number of plants, but small ones should be left whole to avoid reducing yield. Each cut piece should be at least 4–6 cm with one to two eyes.
How to Chit and Cut:
• Sprout seed potatoes in a cool, bright, dry spot. This may take 4-6 weeks.
• If cutting, do so after chitting. Cut large potatoes into halves with two eyes.
• Allow cut pieces to dry for 24-48 hours before planting.

Soil Requirements
Plant in loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Add compost or organic matter to improve fertility and moisture retention. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix with good drainage and incorporate compost in a 1:1 ratio. Ensure containers are at least 40 cm deep.

Location: Plant in full sun, ensuring they receive 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.

How to Plant Potatoes

  • Trenches: Dig a trench 20-25 cm deep and 20 cm wide. Add 10 cm of compost and scatter a complete fertiliser along the trench. Space trenches at least 50 cm apart.
  • Raised Beds: Use the trench method, but adjust the spacing to suit the size of your raised bed while ensuring there is enough room for tubers to develop. The more space between rows, the better the tubers can develop.
  • Containers/Grow Bags: Add 10 cm of the potting mix/compost blend with fertiliser. Additional fertilisation is generally not required, but if the plants show signs of nutrient deficiency (such as pale leaves or slow growth), you can apply a light side dressing of fertiliser as needed.

Plant Seed Potatoes – Due to its natural pigmentation, Purple Congo doesn’t need to be buried as deeply as other varieties, as its skin helps protect it from UV rays. Plant potatoes 10–15 cm deep with the eyes facing up. Space them 30–45 cm apart in trenches and 20–30 cm in raised beds. Cover them with soil.

Mounding & Mulching – Determinate varieties produce all their tubers in a single layer. After shoots reach 5–10 cm, mound just enough soil or mulch (straw, hay, etc.) to cover any exposed tubers. No repeated mounding is typically needed, but check regularly to ensure tubers are not exposed, especially in wet conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect developing tubers from sunlight, promoting healthy growth.

Container Growing Tip: Plant two seed potatoes per layer, with a maximum of four per pot. Place the seed potatoes on the first 10 cm layer of soil, cover with another 10 cm of soil, and then add a second layer of potatoes. Finally, cover with the remaining 10-15 cm of soil to fill the pot. This ensures enough space for healthy, vertical growth. Once the container is full, add mulch (straw, hay, etc).

Water Consistently – Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, as underwatering can cause rough, tough skin and increase the risk of scab development.

Harvesting

  • Takes 70-90 days to mature.
  • Signs of maturity: Purple Congo is usually ready for harvest once the plant has flowered or when you notice yellowing and dying foliage.
  • Stop watering two weeks before harvest to toughen the skin for storage.
  • After lifting, dry for a few hours, then store in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area, preferably in mesh bags.

Pests & Diseases

Purple Congo has great disease resistance, but it can still be affected by common pests and diseases.
• Common pests: Aphids, slugs, and wireworms.
• Diseases: Susceptible to blight and rot from poor drainage.
• Prevention: Rotate crops, ensure good drainage, and remove infected plants.

Green Potatoes
Purple Congo doesn’t need to be buried deeply due to its natural pigmentation, which helps protect it from UV rays. However, it’s still important to cover exposed tubers with soil or mulch to prevent them from turning green. Exposed tubers turn green and produce solanine, which is toxic in large amounts. To avoid greening, ensure tubers are properly covered and protected.

Caution: Do not eat green potatoes – they are toxic.

Supplied as dormant tubers.

Additional information

Price Code

C – Orange Pack
Botanical Name

Solanum tuberosum
Net Weight

500g
Harvesting Time

Harvest 70-90 days after the last frost
Planting Time

Cool Climates – Best planted: August to February. Alternative planting: July, March to May.
Temperate Climates – Best planted: August to October. Alternative planting: April to July and January.
Arid Climates – Best planted: August to December. Alternative planting: May to July.
Subtropical Climates – Best planted: August to October. Alternative planting: March to May.
Tropical Climates – Best planted: March to May. Alternative planting: August to October.

Note: Potatoes can still be planted during alternative months, but growth and yields will be smaller, often producing fewer large tubers.
Planting Depth

Plant 10-15 cm deep in trenches, vegetable beds, and raised beds.

For containers, use a layering technique when planting more than one potato. Add one-third of a 1:1 mix of potting mix and compost to the bottom, Place the seed potatoes on the first 10 cm layer of soil, cover with another 10 cm of soil, and then add a second layer of potatoes. Finally, cover with the remaining 10-15 cm of soil to fill the pot. This method is ideal for limited space gardens, allowing you to grow up to four potatoes per pot while maximising space.

Alternatively, if planting one potato per pot, place the seed potato at a depth of 10–15 cm. This depth provides the space needed for the tuber to grow properly and stay protected from sunlight. Cover with soil or mulch and allow the potato to grow naturally, with minimal mounding required.
Planting Width

For trenches, plant tubers 30-45 cm. For vegetable beds and raised beds: Plant tubers 20-30 cm apart, with at least 50 cm between rows.
In pots or grow bags, plant two seed potatoes per layer to ensure each has adequate space to grow properly. Four potatoes per pot (two per layer) is sufficient to achieve a healthy yield, as determinate potatoes grow in a concentrated layer and do not produce tubers vertically along the stem like indeterminate varieties.
Chitting (Pre-Sprouting)

Chitting encourages seed potatoes to sprout before planting, promoting stronger shoots, faster growth, and potentially higher yields. While not essential, it benefits gardeners in frost-prone areas by giving potatoes a head start before planting. This is especially useful for maincrop varieties, which take longer to mature.

Potatoes will sprout naturally in cool to warm soil, but chitting speeds up the process, making it ideal for early harvests or cooler climates. Many gardeners skip chitting in warmer climates or when planting later in the season since the warm soil encourages quick sprouting. However, planting in very warm conditions can result in smaller yields and faster but weaker growth. For the best results, plant when the soil is cool but beginning to warm to give potatoes the best start.
How to Chit Seed Potatoes – Place seed potatoes in trays or egg cartons with the "eyes" facing up in a cool, bright, frost-free spot—like a windowsill or greenhouse. Avoid direct sunlight or darkness, as weak, leggy shoots can break easily. In a few weeks, short, sturdy green or purple shoots will form.
Preparing Chitted Potatoes for Planting – Decide how many sprouts to keep—fewer sprouts result in larger potatoes, while more sprouts produce smaller ones. Rub off excess sprouts if needed. Once shoots reach about 2 cm long and the soil is cool to warm with no frost risk, plant as usual, handling carefully to avoid breakage.
Soil

Plant in loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5. Add compost or organic matter to improve fertility and moisture retention. Potatoes thrive in slightly acidic soil, so ensure the soil is loose and rich in organic material for optimal growth. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much water and cause rot. Depending on your soil type and climate, you may need to adjust the mix further—adding sand for heavy clay soils, extra organic matter for sandy soils, or mulch to help retain moisture in dry regions. In scab-prone areas, maintaining a soil pH of 5.0–5.2 helps reduce infection risk but may result in smaller yields.

For containers, use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, ensuring good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Choose a deep container (at least 40 cm deep) to allow proper root and tuber development.
How to Plant

Pots and Grow Bags
Fill about 10–15 cm (roughly one-third) of the pot or grow bag with a 1:1 mix of potting mix and compost. Place the seed potatoes eyes up on the first 10 cm layer of mix and cover with another 10 cm of soil. Add a second layer of potatoes, then cover with the remaining 10–15 cm of soil to fill the pot, ensuring enough space for healthy, vertical growth. This method is ideal for two to four potatoes per pot, allowing them to grow in layers. Once the container is full, add mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Place the pot or grow bag in a sunny position and water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.

Trenches, vegetable beds and raised beds:
For trenches, vegetable beds, and raised beds, it’s best to dig trenches to provide the necessary space for potatoes to grow, as they develop vertically rather than spreading horizontally.

To create trenches, dig to a depth of 20–25 cm to ensure the potatoes are planted at a depth of 10–15 cm, providing adequate protection from sunlight and heat. Place the removed soil to the sides of the trench. Add 10 cm of compost, mixing the fertiliser into the compost before placing it in the trench, or sprinkle the fertiliser over the compost once it's in place. Space potatoes 30–45 cm apart in trenches, leaving at least 50 cm between rows. In raised beds, space potatoes 20–30 cm apart, adjusting row spacing to suit the bed size while ensuring enough room for tuber development. Backfill the trench with the remaining soil and compost mixture, then water well. Determinate potatoes do not require continuous hilling, but may need one-time mounding to cover any exposed tubers. Afterward, apply mulch to help with moisture retention and weed suppression. If needed, additional mulch can be added later for extra protection.

In subtropical and tropical climates, planting in raised beds or mounded rows can help improve drainage and prevent waterlogging during the wet season.

Determinate potatoes are well-suited to grow bags and pots as they don’t require hilling. However, we recommend planting up to four potatoes per bag or pot to provide enough space for proper tuber development and a healthy harvest. When layering potatoes, position them in the opposite direction from those in the layer below. This prevents obstruction and allows each plant ample space to grow freely.
Watering

Keep moist without overwatering, especially in hot, dry climates or when planted in pots, as they dry out quicker. Moving black pots to areas with dappled shade is fine, but ensure they receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Stop watering two weeks before harvesting to allow skins to thicken and toughen, helping them store longer.
Fertilise

Use a complete fertiliser, such as blood and bone, or a fertiliser specialised for vegetables. Mixing fertiliser into the compost at planting helps improve yields. In containers or grow bags, additional fertiliser is generally not needed, but a light side dressing can be applied if plants show signs of nutrient deficiency. For potatoes grown in the ground or raised beds, layering fertiliser isn’t necessary, but side dressing later in the season can help maintain healthy growth if needed.
Harvest

Potato 'Purple Congo' is an early season variety, typically maturing in 70–90 days, depending on climate. In warmer regions, they may mature sooner, while in cooler areas, they may take longer.

For new (chat) potatoes, you can begin harvesting 2–3 weeks after flowering. These small, tender potatoes have thin skins and are best eaten fresh, as they do not store well long-term but can be kept for a short period if needed. For a main harvest, wait until the foliage turns yellow and begins to die back. At this stage, the skins are firmer, making them better suited for short-term storage. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before harvesting to help toughen the skins.

To harvest, carefully dig around the plant with a fork or hands to lift tubers without damaging them. In pots and grow bags, tip the container on its side or open the side panel for easy access.

For early harvesting, you can use the bandicooting method by gently digging around the base of the plant to feel for developing tubers. Remove a few without disturbing the plant, leaving the rest to continue growing. Keep in mind that harvesting early will reduce the overall yield of the remaining crop.

Once harvested, potatoes need time to dry before storage to evaporate excess moisture, reducing the risk of rot. In mild climates, spread them on top of the soil for a few hours, keeping them out of direct sunlight to prevent greening. In hot climates, move them to a shaded, well-ventilated area and spread them in a single layer. Avoid washing, as this shortens storage life.

Store potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space, such as a pantry, cupboard, or shed, using mesh bags or breathable crates to allow airflow. While these potatoes can be kept for a few weeks, it is best to consume them sooner rather than later, as they do not hold up in storage as well as long-term storing varieties.

Potatoes are prone to pests and diseases, including aphids, slugs, wireworms, blight, rot, and scab. To minimise issues, rotate crops every 3–4 years and plant only Certified Seed Potatoes. Maintaining good watering practices—watering below the leaves and providing the right amount to prevent over- or underwatering—along with crop rotation, soil cultivation, and ensuring the soil is well-suited to their growing conditions, whether in the ground or containers, will help reduce these risks and promote healthy, productive tubers.
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