You have reached your limit of 3 free stories. A story preview is shown instead.
To view more stories
(If your subscription is current,
click here to Login or Register.)
‘Nicola’ May Be The Perfect Potato
The Nicola potato is a German cultivar celebrated for its waxy, firm texture and buttery flavor. It’s the kind of tuber that holds up well to boiling, roasting and use in potato salads, making it a high-value choice for market sellers and home growers.
Better yet, the Nicola’s waxy, yellow flesh has another secr
..........
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the page.
You must sign in, subscribe or renew to see the flip-book
‘Nicola’ May Be The Perfect Potato
The Nicola potato is a German cultivar celebrated for its waxy, firm texture and buttery flavor. It’s the kind of tuber that holds up well to boiling, roasting and use in potato salads, making it a high-value choice for market sellers and home growers.
Better yet, the Nicola’s waxy, yellow flesh has another secret — it has a lower glycemic index than most potatoes. This means eating the Nicola leads to a smaller spike in blood sugar, making it ideal for diabetics and pre-diabetics while keeping everyone else feeling fuller longer.
Considered a common variety, the Nicola is a reliable grower that produces high yields. It’s available online and at garden centers, though growers recommend buying seed potatoes from certified suppliers to reduce the risk of disease.
For best results, grow Nicola potatoes in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Start chitting or sprouting Nicola potatoes 4 to 5 weeks before planting. Keep the potatoes in cool, light conditions to encourage short, green sprouts. Be conservative with your planting date, as even a light frost can damage potato foliage. A severe frost might kill them entirely.
Before planting, thoroughly till the soil and add plenty of compost or rotted manure. The Nicola is typically ready for harvest in 90 to 110 days. It handles drought well and produces moderate-to-high tuber yields. It’s suitable for growing zones 3 through 9. As an indeterminate variety, Nicola potatoes benefit from hilling as they grow.
Water the plants thoroughly when they’re establishing and 2 weeks before harvest. It’s resistant to diseases such as late blight, rhizoctonia, blackleg, scab and potato cyst nematode. Thanks to its low starch content, the potato stores well for long-term use. If harvest must be delayed, the potato can be left in the ground for a month or longer.
Seeds are available online from www.gurneys.com and other seed retailers.
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
