All Blue Potatoes

All Blue Potatoes

In recent years, All Blue potatoes have grown in popularity due to not only their unique coloring but also their superior culinary attributes. A deep blue almost purple-skinned potato that grows to the size of a small russet, All Blue potatoes also exhibit deep blue flesh that is veined with white. These potatoes are moist and firm when cooked and retain their unique blue coloring. The flesh is buttery, yet firm and has a slight nutty-flavor that lends itself well to frying, roasting, or baking.

All Blue is very similar to Russian Blue potatoes in size, shape, and flesh color, the only difference being that Russian Blue potatoes tend to looses some of the blue flesh colored when cooked. Originally, from South America, various all blue varieties have become increasingly popular in the United States due to the ease of growing and wide distribution at farmer's markets and use by chefs in restaurants.  

Growing All Blue Potatoes:

1. Start with certified organic, certified virus-free seed stock.
2. Plant seed potatoes just prior to the last frost in your area, or when the soil temperature in your garden is 54 degrees or higher. 
3. Dig a trench 6 - 8 inches deep and spread a thin layer of compost or rock and chicken in the trench. Dig in with a garden fork or spade. 
4. Place seed potatoes 8 -10 inches apart and cover with 4 -6 inches of topsoil. Water in well. 
5. Continue watering on a regular basis allowing the top 4-6 to dry out slightly before watering.
   
6. As the potato plants grow, hill up the soil around the base up the plant every 1-2 weeks, creating a mound that is 4 - 6 inches high. 
7. Once the potato plants flower, you can start to harvest baby potatoes from the sides of the mound. 
8. All Blue potatoes take 80+ days to reach maturity.

Where to shop for All Blue Seed Potatoes: