Purple Majesty Potato

If you’re looking for a potato that brings stunning color and great flavor to your garden and kitchen, look no further than the purple majesty potato. This vibrant and versatile tuber is as beautiful to grow as it is to eat, offering deep purple skin and flesh that holds its color beautifully when cooked.

Beyond its striking appearance, it’s a reliable producer with a rich, earthy flavor. It’s perfect for gardeners who want to add something special to their harvest. Let’s look at how you can grow and enjoy this remarkable variety.

This variety is known for its high antioxidant content, specifically anthocyanins, which give it that brilliant purple hue. These potatoes are medium to large in size with an oblong shape. They are a mid-season variety, typically ready for harvest in about 90-110 days after planting.

Why Grow Purple Majesty Potatoes?

There are several compelling reasons to give these potatoes a spot in your garden:

Visual Impact: The deep purple color makes them a standout in any dish, from mashes to salads.
Nutritional Powerhouse: They contain significantly more antioxidants than white or yellow potatoes.
Excellent Storage: They store very well in cool, dark conditions, lasting for months.
Disease Resistance: They show good resistance to some common potato scab and other foliar diseases.

How to Plant Your Purple Majesty Potatoes

Planting potatoes is straightforward, but getting the basics right ensures a healthy crop. Follow these steps for success.

1. Choosing Seed Potatoes

Always start with certified disease-free seed potatoes. You can find ‘Purple Majesty’ specifically labeled at garden centers or online seed retailers. Don’t use potatoes from the grocery store, as they may be treated to prevent sprouting.

2. Preparing for Planting

About 2-3 weeks before your last frost date, chit your seed potatoes. This means letting them sprout in a cool, bright place. Cut larger seed potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least 2-3 eyes. Let the cut pieces cure for a day or two to form a callus.

3. Site and Soil Requirements

Potatoes need full sun—at least 6-8 hours daily. The soil should be loose, well-draining, and slightly acidic (pH 5.0-6.5). Work in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting to improve soil structure and fertility.

4. The Planting Process

Dig trenches about 4 inches deep and 3 feet apart.
Place seed potato pieces eyes-up in the trench, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
Cover gently with 3-4 inches of soil.
As the plants grow to about 6 inches tall, begin hilling by mounding soil around the stems, leaving a few inches of leaves exposed. Repeat this every few weeks.

Caring for Your Growing Plants

Consistent care is simple but key to a good harvest. Water your potatoes deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 inches of water, especially when tubers are forming. Uneven watering can lead to misshapen potatoes.

Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting and again when you start hilling. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth instead of tubers. Keep the area well-weeded, as competition stunts growth. Mulching with straw helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting and Storing Your Crop

You can harvest “new” purple potatoes carefully by hand about 2-3 weeks after the plants finish flowering. For mature, storage-ready tubers, wait until the plant vines have completely died back.

Use a digging fork, inserting it well away from the plant center to avoid spearing tubers.
Gently lift the soil and sift through with your hands to find all the potatoes.
Let them cure on the soil surface for 2-3 hours, out of direct sunlight.

For storage, brush off excess dirt—do not wash them. Place them in a single layer in a cool (45-55°F), dark, and well-ventilated place for about two weeks to fully cure. After that, store them in breathable bags or boxes in the same cool, dark conditions.

Cooking with Your Purple Majesty Potatoes

The best part is enjoying your harvest! Their color does fade slightly with intense heat, but it largely remains. For the most vibrant presentation, use methods with shorter cook times or add them to dishes at the end.

Roasting: Toss with oil and herbs. Roast at 425°F until crispy. The color becomes deep and jewel-like.
Mashing: For a stunning side dish, mash them alone or mix with white potatoes for a lavender hue.
Salads: They hold their shape well when steamed or boiled, making them perfect for potato salad.
Frying: Make incredible purple french fries or homemade potato chips.
Baking: They bake up just like a russet, with a beautiful purple interior.

Remember, their flavor is earthier and slightly nuttier than a standard potato, which pairs well with robust herbs like rosemary, thyme, and garlic.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even the best gardeners encounter issues. Here’s what to watch for with your purple majesty potato plants.

Colorado Potato Beetles: Hand-pick the orange larvae and adults off leaves. Use row covers early in the season.
Late Blight: This fungal disease appears as dark, water-soaked spots on leaves. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Remove and destroy affected plants.
Hollow Heart: This internal cavity is caused by rapid growth from uneven watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture.
Green Tubers: If potatoes are exposed to sunlight, they produce a toxic solanine. Always hill properly and store in total darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are purple majesty potatoes healthy?
Yes, they are very healthy. Their purple color comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants linked to various health benefits. They are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Does the purple color cook out?
It can fade with long, wet cooking (like boiling), but generally holds well. Dry-heat methods like roasting, baking, and frying preserve the color best. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to cooking water can help stabilize the color.

Can I grow these in a container?
Absolutely. Use a large container (at least 10-15 gallons) with excellent drainage. Fill it partway with soil, plant your seed potatoes, and continue to add soil as the plants grow, just like hilling.

Where can I buy purple majesty seed potatoes?
You can find them at local garden nurseries in spring or from reputable online seed companies. Popular retailers like Burpee, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Gurney’s often carry them.

What do purple potatoes taste like?
They have a richer, earthier flavor compared to standard russets. Some people detect a slight nutty or buttery note, making them a flavorful choice for many recipes.

Adding the purple majesty potato to your garden plan is a decision you won’t regret. It provides a reliable harvest of nutritious, conversation-starting tubers that will brighten your meals for month’s to come. With these simple tips, you’re ready to grow a successful patch of your own. Get your seed potatoes ordered, and prepare for a colorful gardening adventure.