Growing Potatoes

Growing Potatoes

There are many wonderful varieties of potatoes, belonging to one of three main groups; first early, second early or maincrop. This will give you an idea of when to plant them, how much space they need and when to harvest them.

Early varieties need less space and time to grow and are know as new potatoes. Maincrop potatoes need more space and time to develop but have greater yields and are better for storing.

First earlies are usually planted in late March and are ready to harvest 8-16 weeks later.

Second earlies are usually planted early to mid April and are ready to harvest 16-18 weeks later.

Maincrops are usually planted mid to late April and are ready to harvest 18-20 weeks later.

 

How to Grow Potatoes

 

Chitting Potatoes

chitting_potatoes

This is a way of encouraging potatoes to sprout shoots before planting them out. It is a good idea to chit early varieties to allow them to grow quickly but it is less important for maincrop varieties.

Depending on the variety, where you live and where you intend to grow them, chitting can begin as early as January.

To chit potatoes, stand them with the rose end facing upwards – this is the end with the most ‘eyes’ or dents where the shoots will sprout. A great way to do this is to stand them in old egg boxes or seed trays so that the potatoes are not touching each other.

The potatoes are ready to plant out once the shoots are about 2.5cm / 1in long. This usually takes about 6 weeks.

 

Planting potatoes in containers

Potato_Planter


If you do not have the space to grow potatoes in the ground, then small crops can be planted in large, deep containers or planter bags in a sunny, frost free position. Ideal for patios and balconies or any spare space you can find.

Line the bottom of the container with about 12cm / 6in of compost or soil and plant the potatoes just below the surface. As the shoots start to grow, keep adding compost until the container is full.

It is important to keep potatoes well watered in dry weather while the tubers are developing.

 

 

App

 

Planting potatoes in the ground


Traditionally, potatoes are planted in narrow trenches, about 12cm / 5in deep.

Early varieties should be spaced 30cm / 12in apart along the trench with 60cm / 24in between each trench or row.

Maincrop varieties should be spaced 37cm / 15in apart along the trench with 75cm / 30in between each trench or row.

It is important to ‘earth up’ potatoes as the shoots start to grow. This helps to protect the new shoots from light frosts early in the season and later in the season it prevents tubers near the surface from turning green. To earth up potatoes, cover each plant with a ridge of soil so that the shoots are just covered. This should be done at regular intervals so that eventually, each plant has a mound about 15-23cm / 6-9in high.

Potatoes like a sunny, frost free position so avoid planting in frost pockets as the young shoots are particularly susceptible to frost. Frost will turn the shoots black and delay the crops.

 

Harvesting

Small_5kg_Sack

With earlies, wait until the flowers open or the buds drop. They are ready to harvest when they are about the size of hens eggs and can be used straight away.

Maincrop varieties should be left in the ground much longer. Wait until the foliage begins to and turn yellow and die back. The foliage should then be cut back to ground level and removed but do not dig them yet. Wait about 10-14 days after removing the foliage before lifting the potatoes and allow them to dry for a few hours before storing in paper or hessian sacks.

 

 

 

 

Potato planter bags and hessian storage sacks available:

Potato_Planter 25kg_Hessian_Sack Half_Size_Sack Potato_Planting_Bag_Orange
Potato Planter Bags Hessian Sacks Half Size Hessian Sacks Potato Planter Bags