Hi Hank, could you be a bit clearer on your questions please. There are hundreds of early potatoes - what are you looking for?

Lady Cristl and Casablanca are very nice if you like a waxy texture. You need to harvest Lady C before the slugs get going though.

Hi Hank
Check these linkws for purple potatoes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Taylors-Seed-Potatoes-Edzell-Blue-unusual-purple-skin-floury-second-early-/190788597745?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item2c6be2f7f1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Seed-Potato-Edgecote-Purple-SE-/190771896978?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item2c6ae42292
Steve

Sorry, I just want to grow a few spuds asap, but not salad spuds. Those I grew last year ( which I mentioned in my question ) were fine but maybe there are better ?
I'll look up Lady C and Casablance, thanks Stera.
I suppose I want them for mashing if this helps, which is the usual way we eat them.( not adventurous cooks ! )
And I'll re-check the purple ones Steve.

I've never attempted to mash an early potato just boil or steam them, drain add a little butter and there you go...

I always use foremost as my first earlies, recommended to me by an old farm worker who loved his spuds and I follow on with nadine as a second early, not a big cropper but taste superb.

I don't think my suggestions would be good for mashing, sorry. But they are really very nice served whole - why not give them a try and broaden your eating habits??

I've just googled Purple spuds again and some of the advantages are -
1.High in antioxidants, providing vitamin A.
2.contain powerful antioxidants which helps cancer and heart disease.
3.they don't add weight and they lower blood pressure
4.suitable for most recipes calling for potatoes.
5.they help strengthen the immune system.

We don't eat many potatoes so I thought we might as well try these. And I'm a bit gullible and my daughter, who grew them last year talked me into trying them.

Hank Dobies sells a main crop purple seed potato

http://www.dobies.co.uk/Search/purple+majesty+potatoes?gclid=CNv3ouqKxbUCFZDKtAodWUcAAg

Whilst Gardening Express sells Salad Blue which is not a salad potato

http://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=2309

and so does Simply Seeds

http://www.simplyseed.co.uk/salad-potato-seed/salad-blue.html?gclid=CNumtbmLxbUCFYbHtAod-H0A7w

Thanks yet again M.G. I'm on it.

You're welcome Hank