{"product_id":"seed-potato-imperial-blue","title":"Seed Potato - Imperial Blue","description":"\u003ch3\u003eSeed Potato - Imperial Blue\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum (NOT to WA, TAS \u0026amp; Kangaroo Island)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eIndeterminate variety\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertified Seed Potato\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSeed potatoes are live tubers, not dry seed. They may arrive dormant, break dormancy, and sprout lightly or actively, depending on variety and seasonal timing. \u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;\"\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.happyvalleyseeds.com.au\/pages\/essential-guide-to-purchasing-and-growing-seed-potatoes\" title=\"Essential Guide to Purchasing and Growing Seed Potatoes\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eread \u003c\/a\u003eour Seed Potato Growing and Storage Guide before ordering, especially if you live in a cooler region and need to hold tubers before planting. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;\"\u003eIf you require completely dormant seed potatoes for long-term storage, please contact us before ordering. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.happyvalleyseeds.com.au\/pages\/essential-guide-to-purchasing-and-growing-seed-potatoes\" title=\"Essential Guide to Purchasing and Growing Seed Potatoes\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eImperial Blue Seed Potato (\u003ci\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c\/i\u003e) is a standout variety that brings gourmet appeal to your home vegetable garden. With its smooth blue-purple skin and creamy white flesh, this eye-catching potato is as beautiful on the plate as it is delicious. Rich in natural antioxidants from its coloured skin, Imperial Blue offers both visual appeal and added nutritional benefits, making it a rewarding choice for gardeners who love growing something a little different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA versatile, all-purpose variety, Imperial Blue is perfect for roasting to a golden crisp, mashing into creamy comfort food, boiling for fresh salads, or turning into fluffy fries and authentic gnocchi. Medium-sized and round, these tubers combine striking presentation with exceptional flavour, elevating everyday cooking with homegrown goodness. As an early maturing variety, Imperial Blue rewards growers with reliable yields and a harvest time of approximately 80 to 100 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 10.0pt 0cm 10.0pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13.0pt;\"\u003ePlanting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChoose a sunny position in the garden with well-drained, friable soil. Prepare the planting bed deeply, working the soil to at least 25 cm to allow the tubers room to develop evenly. Incorporating compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting will help to improve soil structure and drainage. Plant seed potato tubers in furrows approximately 10 cm deep, spacing them 25 cm apart within the row and allowing 75 cm between rows. Larger seed potatoes can be cut into sections before planting, provided each piece retains at least one healthy eye or sprout. Allow cut surfaces to dry for a day or two before planting to reduce the risk of rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 10.0pt 0cm 10.0pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13.0pt;\"\u003eWhen to Plant in Australia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 5.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCool and Alpine Regions (TAS, VIC highlands, NSW tablelands): \u003c\/b\u003eAfter the last frost, typically August to October. Soil temperature should be at least 8 to 10 degrees Celsius before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 5.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperate Regions (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth): \u003c\/b\u003eMid July to October. In milder coastal areas, earlier plantings from mid July can get a head start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 5.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubtropical Regions (Brisbane, coastal NSW): \u003c\/b\u003eApril to August. Cooler autumn and winter months provide the best growing conditions in subtropical zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTropical and Arid Regions (Far North QLD, NT, inland WA): \u003c\/b\u003eApril to August, during the dry season when temperatures are cooler. Select a position with some afternoon shade in warmer areas to prevent heat stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 10.0pt 0cm 10.0pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13.0pt;\"\u003eWatering and Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWater regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, particularly once the plants begin to flower and tubers start forming underground. Avoid overhead watering where possible, as wet foliage can encourage fungal diseases. As the plants grow, mound soil or mulch around the base of the stems to cover developing tubers and prevent greening from sunlight exposure. Fertilise well at planting time and side-dress with a potassium-rich feed as the plants grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 10.0pt 0cm 10.0pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 13.0pt;\"\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10.0pt;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePotatoes are ready to harvest once the foliage begins to yellow and die back. For new or baby potatoes, you can carefully dig around the base of the plant a few weeks earlier. Use a garden fork to gently lift the tubers, taking care not to pierce them. Allow harvested potatoes to cure in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight for a few days before storing in a cool, dark, dry place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 10.0pt 0cm 10.0pt 0cm;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Happy Valley Seeds","offers":[{"title":"1kg","offer_id":52153523274040,"sku":"BW-POT-22_1kg","price":13.19,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2kg","offer_id":52153523306808,"sku":"BW-POT-22_2kg","price":24.63,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/5416\/2522\/files\/seed-potato-imperial-blue-pre-order-6397245.jpg?v=1775889067","url":"https:\/\/www.happyvalleyseeds.com.au\/products\/seed-potato-imperial-blue","provider":"Happy Valley Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}