New potatoes have loose skins & are the first potatoes to be harvested each year.

Main Crop potatoes provide the main proportion of the potatoes we eat.

• Main crop potatoes are left in the ground until they have ‘bulked up’ (grown to a good size).
• Main crop potatoes are lifted & stored through the winter, to give a constant supply of potatoes until the following year’s earlies are ready. But the skins must ‘set‘ for the potatoes to store satisfactorily.

The difference between New and Main Crop potatoes is that the skins are “set” on main crop. Sharpes Express, Maris Bard, Rocket, etc. are traditionally grown as New potatoes, but any variety can be defined as New, depending on when it is harvested. King Edwards & Pink Fir Apple, usually grown as main crop, may be lifted before the skins are set, and eaten as new potatoes.

Related articles:

• How to Deal with Potatoes that Look Ready.
• Potato Skins must Set for Storage.
• Look after Potato Ridges.