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'Maris Piper' is a classic and popular potato variety, grown in the UK since the 1960s. A maincrop potato, it's the most commonly grown potato in the UK and is widely available in shops and supermarkets.
Maris Piper potatoes have golden skin with cream-white flesh that lends itself perfectly to mashing. However it's a versatile variety and the potatoes also makes great chips, roast potatoes, and wedges.
Grow Maris Piper potatoes as you would any maincrop variety – prepare the soil by digging and removing weeds, and then dig trenches 12cm deep and 60cm apart. Plant your potatoes 30cm apart and cover them with soil to fill the trench. When the shoots reach 20cm tall, "earth them up" by using a rake, hoe or spade to mound soil up around the bases of the shoots, covering the stems half way.
Maincrop potato varieties occupy the ground longer than other kinds, but produce the heaviest yields, often with very large tubers ideal for baking. Typically, they are planted in April and harvested from August to October.
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Advice on buying Maris Piper potatoes
Seed potatoes are usually available to buy from January
Choose firm potatoes with no signs of mould or disease
Store the potatoes in a cool, light place to 'chit them' (develop shoots) before planting
