http://www.ronnigers.com/index.html
Banana Fingerling
German Butterball
Atlantic - for making french fries and chips
Yukon Gold

That is a decent selection to start with.

DarJones

We've grown potatoes the last three years....and can't believe how much better potatoes out of the garden taste. Even the common varieties. This year, we should have enough to just about see us through, but last year ran out, and, had to go back to store potatoes for a few months. They were tasteless. So don't automatically reject the common varieties. It's like the difference between store bought and home grown tomatoes...no comparison!!

"So don't automatically reject the common varieties."

I agree.

Consider growing some early red potatoes. They are a real summertime treat.

Jim

Well that makes sense. I haven't bought a tomato in years because there is no comparison.

Thanks for the info...I am going to check out those sources that Darjones listed as soon as I ask one more question....

Since I am inspired by you all to reconsider the common varieties....is it correct that the early varieties will not grow "up" like the longer season varieties, so using the bin method is not really the best option?

Thanks, Kay.

I agree with the others, common varieties that you can buy locally will taste VERY good. I don't think it is worth several dollars per pound for mail order seed potatoes when you can get them locally for less than one dollar per pound. I don't know where you live, but nurseries here in Idaho have quite a good selection, including some blue / purple varieties.

I have never grown in the bin method, but it should work fine for early varieties. I like Red Norland (early) and have grown them with great success. They grow in the same manner as later varieties, just seem to develop tubers a little sooner. Should be fine in bins.

As I wrote some where else Irish-Eyes.com has almost every potatoes there is .I was looking in their catalog and there is one call "All Blue" that looks purple to me.And a lot of good info on keeping your blue potatoes blue.

After potatoes have been out of the ground awhile, home grown and store bought taste the same. The beauty of home grown is the great difference in taste, regardless of variety, of new potatoes. I grow enough to last me until thanksgiving, but you should at least grow enough to eat them as new ones. You can start graveling them out when they begin blooming and continue getting the new taste for a few weeks after digging. New potatoes, as advertised in the market are generally just little potatoes dug at the same time as the large ones on the rack beside them and there will be no taste difference but your new potatoes will be a flavor treat.

Cost is a concern. Several dollars per pound. Plus shipping! But I really have my heart set on these Purple Vikings. I am pretty sure that is what I found at the farmers market and they were just sooo good. I am afraid that if I don't order them, I won't be able to find them when the time comes to plant.

I figure I will go with one early and one late variety. The purple vikings I will buy via mail-order, but I will pick up a later variety locally. And those I will try in the bin.

I have SUCH a bad case of cabin fever. I can't wait to get to work on my garden! Kay.