Potatoes - June

By the beginning of June the potato plants are beginning to join up down the rows. At this point the plant becomes susceptible to potato blight.

Potato blight is a very serious disease that can lead to the complete loss of the crop. It was the cause of the Irish potato famine (1845) that led to millions of Irish, either dying of starvation or emigrating.

Since the Irish potato famine plant breeders have sought to breed resistance into the crop. This has been only partially successful and the vast majority of potato production continues to rely on fungicides to control the disease.

From about mid June the first potatoes may be harvested. This crop is known as "the first earlies" or new potatoes. These have a flaky skin. Higher prices to the farmer are offset by much lower yields.