Potato Salad Rose - Trenton Cottage
Potato Salad Rose - Trenton Cottage
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Potato Salad Rose

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If you’re after a potato that holds its shape beautifully and adds colour to your plate, look no further! Salad Rose (Solanum tuberosum) delivers with its rosy red skin, smooth waxy flesh, and firm texture, making it perfect for salads, roasting, boiling, stews, and soups. Its mild, creamy taste pairs effortlessly with a variety of dishes, ensuring a delicious home-cooked meal every time. Easy to grow in garden beds, raised beds, or large containers, this second early variety, maturing in 80-100 days, is a rewarding choice for any gardener looking to enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes straight from the soil to the table.

SKU: TCSPOSRO001 Category: Tags: ,

Description

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

Introduction

Salad Rose (Solanum tuberosum) is an indeterminate, second early variety, producing medium to large tubers with rosy red skin and smooth, waxy flesh. As an indeterminate potato, it continues growing along the stem, allowing for a more flexible harvest. Second earlies mature in 80–100 days, providing a great balance between early yields and storage potential. When harvested young, Salad Rose has delicate skin, perfect for fresh use, while fully matured tubers develop firmer skin for short-term storage. Its firm texture holds well when cooked, making it ideal for boiling, roasting, mashing, salads, and stews. Thriving in vegetable beds, raised beds, and containers, this variety is easy to grow and highly productive, making it an excellent choice for home gardeners.

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 20-30 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: Dig holes 15-20 cm deep. Add a small handful of complete fertiliser at the base.
  • Containers/Grow Bags: Add 10 cm of the potting mix/compost blend with fertiliser. Sprinkle more fertiliser between layers as plants grow.

Plant Seed Potatoes – Place potatoes 15-20 cm deep with eyes up. Space them 30-45 cm apart and cover them with soil.

Mounding & Mulching – As shoots reach 10–15 cm high, gradually mound up with the surrounding soil or mulch, exposing only the top leaves. Repeat this process for as long as they continue to grow, aiming to cover them with 25–30 cm. This helps protect developing tubers, retain moisture, and prevent greening. In containers and grow bags, continue adding soil or mulch until they are full.

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

Mulch – Once the container is full, add mulch (straw, hay, etc.) to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent greening. Also suitable for trenches and raised beds.

Harvesting

  • Takes 80-100 days to mature.
  • Signs of maturity: Yellowing and dying foliage, or when tubers reach a good size for eating—this can be a couple of weeks after flowering for fresh use or closer to 100 days for larger tubers with firmer skins.
  • Stop watering two weeks before harvest to toughen the skin for storage.
  • As these have thinner skins, they are best eaten within a few weeks of harvesting. When storing, keep in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area, preferably in mesh bags, and check regularly for quality.

Pests & 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
Exposed tubers turn green and produce solanine (toxic in large amounts). Prevent greening by covering them with soil or mulch.

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

1kg
Harvesting Time

Harvest 80-100 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 15-20cm cm deep in trenches, vegetable beds, and raised beds.
For pots and grow bags, plant into one-third of a combination of potting mix and compost, which is roughly 10 cm deep from the bottom of the pot.
Planting Width

For trenches, vegetable beds, or raised beds: Plant tubers 30-45 cm apart, with at least 50 cm between rows.
In pots or grow bags, plant 15 cm apart, ensuring space between them. Usually two to three potatoes per pot or grow bag.
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 those who want a head start on their crop.

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 one-third of the pot or grow bag with a good-quality potting mix and compost. Place seed potatoes on the mix, eyes up, 15 cm apart. Cover with 5–10 cm of compost. When plants reach 10 cm, add another 5–10 cm of compost, leaving half the leaves exposed. Repeat until the container is full, then add mulch. Place the pot or grow bag in a sunny position and water regularly.

Trenches: For trenches, dig to a depth of 20–30 cm, placing the removed soil to the sides of the trench—this will make hilling up easier as the plants grow. 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 the potatoes 30-45 cm apart, and for multiple rows, leave at least 50 cm between each row. Backfill the trench with some of the removed soil and compost mixture, then water well. As the plants grow, gradually pull in the soil from the sides to hill them up, aiming to eventually build up to 25–30 cm for protection and moisture retention. Add mulch if needed.

Vegetable beds and raised beds: You can use either the trench method or dig individual holes. Prepare your beds with well-draining soil and compost before planting.

For the trench method, dig a trench 20–30 cm deep, sprinkle a complete fertiliser, and place the tubers 30-45 cm apart. Cover them lightly with soil, gradually filling in the trench as the plants grow.

Alternatively, dig holes 15–20 cm deep and 30-45 cm apart. Sprinkle a complete fertiliser into each hole before placing the tubers inside. Backfill with the remaining soil mixture and water thoroughly.

As the plants grow, use a hoe to gently draw up the surrounding soil and compost around the stems, creating a deeper column for tuber development. Continue hilling up gradually, aiming to build up 25–30 cm or until further hilling is no longer possible, or the plants provide themselves with shade. This helps protect developing tubers, retain moisture, and encourage higher yields.

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

Please note: As a second early variety, Salad Rose performs best when given enough space to develop strong yields. It thrives in raised beds and vegetable beds, but can also be grown in grow bags or containers, where careful spacing will help optimise growth. If using grow bags, we recommend planting only two seed potatoes per bag to allow sufficient room for development.
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 can be sprinkled between layers as plants grow to support tuber development. 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 'Salad Rose' is a second early variety, typically maturing in 80–100 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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