Early/Maincrops

[Grow Own]

What does early varieties mean?

I can't seem to find a definition online

same with maincrop varieties

Also there appears to be short rooted and long rooted.

Are "early varieties" the same as "short rooted" varieties?

Are "main crop varieties" the same as "long rooted" varities?

What are "storage varieties"

[Alison]

No idea about short / long rooted, never heard that definition. However, the other definitions are fairly straightforward and simply relate to how long they take to mature. In other words, if you planted them all on the same day, earlies would be ready first, then second earlies, early main crop, etc, etc... It's not that you plant earlies any earlier (although I usually do some a few weeks before in the tunnel where they have protection from the elements), it's just that they are ready quicker. As far as storage is concerned, earlies don't store well and are best eaten fresh but main crops can be stored into the spring in frost free sacks.

[WendyC]

Early potatoes are ready earlier than main crop. So earlies take 10-14 weeks, depending on growing conditions, assuming you are UK based. Whereas main crop you'd want to leave to grow for nearer 18 weeks. Never heard of long or short rooted varieties, where have you seen this referred to? Storage varieties are ones you can lift and store to see you through the winter and early spring. These would tend to be maincrop, as early varieties are generally lifted and eaten as needed as the flavour is best when eaten straight away.
Welcome to the Vine!

[Jungle Jane]

When buying seed potatoes some will have started chitting so they will have roots growing out of the potato,this isn't anything to do with variety tho,you want to look for healthy root growth in any potato seed,not thin white roots (as soon as they start chitting they need to get light) in some shops they're on the shelves not getting light. I prefer earlies & second earlies-all foliage usually gets removed before blight flies in,as they're ready earlier than main crop.

[Kristen]

I thought there was a definition on the Potato Council Website - but if there is I can't, now, find it! - so hopefully this one, from JBA's site, is correct:

First earlies mature in 70-90 days.
Second earlies mature in 90-110 days
Maincrops mature in 110-145 days.

[Grow Own]

I was actually referring to Carrots!

So Early Varieties are just carrots that are ready to harvest earlier than others?

And main crop varieties are just carrots that are ready to harvest at the normal time?

I'm guessing Storage Varieties are just carrots you can store in a box?

[Kristen]

I was actually referring to Carrots!

Doh! That would explain the Long/Short root point ...

[Alison]

I was actually referring to Carrots!

So Early Varieties are just carrots that are ready to harvest earlier than others?

And main crop varieties are just carrots that are ready to harvest at the normal time?

I'm guessing Storage Varieties are just carrots you can store in a box?

Ah, that's my fault, thought you were on about spuds . Yes, you're quite right, although confusingly, early types really means quick to mature and can beep a good crop for late sowing too when there is less season left. As with the spuds, it's the main crops that tend to store best

[Alison]

Oh and short and long just refer to the length of the carrot. I like them nice and long but if you have a shallow depth of good soil the short ones can be better.

[Grow Own]

I'm confused again

So early varieties of potatoes could mean something completely different to early varieties of carrots?

[Jungle Jane]

I thought you were originally talking about potatoes too sorry,early varieties of any fruit & veg mean they're ready first,need less growing time. I grow an early variety of runner bean,I sow some in the spring,some in the summer,so when the earliest bean plants start giving up,I still have flowers & beans on the later sown ones. So it gives me a longer harvest

[veggiechicken]

If you plant an early and a late "anything" on the same day in the same conditions , the early one will be ready to eat first.
To confuse you further, because "earlies" take less time to mature you can often make a second sowing of "earlies" later in the year so that you have two crops of "earlies" but only one crop of "mains".

[Grow Own]

Ah I think I get it.

So basically

Early crops are just ready to harvest earlier than maincrops?

[veggiechicken]