Amandine potato: early variety, fast growing and harvesting

Q: What should I use to plant potatoes?

Potatoes benefit from association with garlic, onions, beans, peas, cabbage and corn.Avoid proximity to tomatoes and eggplants. They belong to the same family. They consume the same nutrients and suffer from the same diseases.Don't forget to rotate your crops. After your harvest, wait four years before planting potatoes again in the same spot.

While some varieties of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) date back to the 19th century, Amandine is a youngster. Created in France in the 90s by crossing the Charlotte Potato and the Mariana, it is appreciated for its regular tubers and early maturity. It appeals to amateur gardeners and cooks alike.

How to recognize the Amandine potato?

The Amandine potato (Solanum tuberosum) has an upright growth habit and measures around 60 cm in height, with a spread of 30 cm. It is a perennial plant grown as an annual in the vegetable garden.

Its stems support bright green foliage. The pinnate leaves are sharply divided, with 7 to 9 leaflets.

Blooms consist of white star-shaped flowers with a yellow heart. They give rise to a round, yellow or green berry.

Amandine potatoes produce medium-sized tubers. Elongated and very regular, their skin is pale yellow, thin and smooth. The flesh is firm.

Is the Amandine potato toxic?

Amandine potato tubers are not toxic. On the contrary, they are edible, which is why the plant is widely cultivated.

However, the aerial parts contain solanins, a toxic substance. Do not eat the berries or flowers.

What's more, if your tubers are green, they have been exposed to light. Their solanine content is then too high, making them unfit for consumption.

Our care tips

The winter before planting, work the soil to a depth of 20 cm to loosen it. Add a potassium-rich fertilizer to enrich it.

Watering

Water without wetting the foliage, either at the base of your Amandine potato, or between the rows.

Adapt the amount of water to the development of the plant. Your watering should be more copious during the flowering period, without soaking the soil. Reduce the volume when the foliage starts to turn yellow.

Planting

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Work the soil to a depth of 20 centimetres. Add a potassium-rich fertilizer.

Dig furrows 8 to 10 centimetres deep. If you're planting several rows, space them at least 50 centimetres apart.

Plant your tubers, sprout side up. Leave 30 centimetres between plants. Cover with soil and form a mound about 15 cm high to prevent the tuber from catching the light.

Hilling

Plug your plants regularly to encourage production.

Weed around the base of your Solanum tuberosum 'Amandine'. After that, it will be too late: ridging will bury weeds under the soil.

Scrape the soil between the rows to loosen it. Using your hoe or ridger, pull the soil from each side of the row towards the stem. Form a mound about 15 to 20 cm high. Only the top 5 to 10 cm of foliage should remain visible.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Amandine potato early?

Yes, Amandine is an early to semi-early variety. It has a short cycle, between 70 and 90 days after planting. It can be harvested quickly and is also suitable for early crops.

What use for the Amandine potato?

Amandine is a firm-fleshed potato, ideal for many culinary preparations. It is ideal for boiling, steaming and salads. Its firmness also makes it an excellent choice for simmered or sautéed dishes.

Can Amandine potatoes be grown as early as possible?

Yes, the Amandine potato is an early variety suitable for early cultivation. It should be planted under cover or in warm soil before the end of winter. Harvesting takes place two months later, during flowering.

When to harvest the Amandine potato?

Amandine is harvested between 2.5 and 3 months after planting, depending on growing conditions. You must wait for the foliage to turn yellow and dry out completely before harvesting.

If you're growing Amandine as an Early potato, remove the plants as soon as they flower, i.e. Two months after planting.