Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

'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

Where to buy Maris Piper potatoes

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyes
Harvestyesyesyes

Solanum ‘Maris piper’ and wildlife

Solanum ‘Maris piper’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Solanum ‘Maris piper’ poisonous?

Solanum ‘Maris piper’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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