How to Grow Loddon Anna
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Loddon Anna
Solanum tuberosum 'Loddon Anna'
vegetableLoddon Anna is a heritage British potato variety known for its distinctive pink-red skin and yellow flesh with a creamy, waxy texture. It was developed in the 1980s and is prized by gardeners for its excellent flavor and suitability for salads and boiling. This mid-season maincrop potato offers reliable yields and good disease resistance.
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Example Loddon Anna timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Loddon Anna
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Loddon Anna
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Loddon Anna dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8, can grow in zones 3-9 with proper management
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Chitting & Preparation
2-4 weeksSeed potatoes are placed in cool, bright conditions to develop short, sturdy sprouts (about 1/2 inch) before planting
Chill for 2-4 weeks before planting. Choose seed potatoes with 2-3 eyes each. Avoid frost exposure during this phase.
Emergence
2-3 weeks after plantingShoots emerge from soil and first leaves unfold, creating a single stem or multiple stems depending on planting method
Monitor for frost damage in spring. Hill soil around emerging shoots if exposed. Keep soil consistently moist.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksDense foliage develops with multiple stems and compound leaves; plant grows bushy and vigorously
Hill soil around the base every 2-3 weeks to protect tubers from sunlight (prevents greening). Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Water consistently.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white or pink flowers appear on plant stems; this signals tuber development underground
Flowers are not essential for potato production. Maintain watering and continue hilling if needed. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage tuber bulking.
Tuber Maturation & Harvest
3-4 weeksFoliage yellows and dies back; tubers reach full size and skin hardens underground, creating the characteristic pink-red color
Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to allow skin to cure. Once foliage has completely died back, carefully dig up potatoes. Handle gently to avoid bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters daily. Use neem oil or spinosad spray. Rotate crops annually. Plant in early spring to avoid peak beetle populations.
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Remove affected foliage immediately. Ensure good air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Use copper fungicide if needed. Choose resistant varieties when possible.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Trap wireworms with potato pieces buried in soil 2 weeks before planting. Rotate crops. Till soil in fall to expose larvae.
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Create beer traps. Encourage ground beetles and toads. Mulch carefully to avoid harboring pests.
Uses
Salads & Boiling
CulinaryLoddon Anna's waxy, yellow flesh holds its shape excellently when boiled, making it ideal for potato salads, new potato dishes, and hot potato side dishes. Its creamy texture and mild, pleasant flavor make it a favorite for traditional British preparations. [source]
Heritage Cooking
CulinaryAs a heritage variety, Loddon Anna is prized by food historians and traditional cooks for authentic period recipes and modern farm-to-table cuisine that emphasizes variety and flavor. [source]
Home Storage & Preservation
HouseholdLoddon Anna stores exceptionally well for 3-5 months under proper conditions, making it excellent for home gardeners seeking season-long potato availability from a single planting. [source]
Garden Habitat
WildlifeThe potato plant's flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, while the dense foliage provides habitat for ground-dwelling beneficial insects that help control garden pests. [source]
Harvest Tips
Loddon Anna potatoes are ready to harvest 90-110 days after planting, once foliage has completely yellowed and died back. For tender new potatoes, harvest 60-70 days after planting once flowers have appeared. Gently dig with a fork, starting at the base of the plant and working outward, being careful not to spear tubers. For storage, cure potatoes in a cool (50-60°F), dark, humid place for 1-2 weeks before storing at 45-50°F in darkness. Stored properly, they keep 3-5 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Loddon Anna was developed at Seedsmen W. Robinson & Co. in Lindfield, England, and named after the Loddon River in Berkshire—it's a true English heirloom.
- 🌱 The distinctive pink-red skin color comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds found in blueberries and red cabbage, which have antioxidant properties.
- 🌱 Loddon Anna potatoes exhibit a fascinating trait called 'cook back' resistance—they maintain their shape and creamy texture even after extended cooking, unlike floury varieties that break down.
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