There is nothing quite like the taste of potatoes you have grown yourself. There is a reason potatoes are one of the most popular home-grown vegetables. First things first, you need to decide what variety to plant and where to plant them.
Early Varieties – are ‘new potatoes’, small and delicious. They’re fast growing, ready to harvest anywhere from 10 to 13 weeks. The plants take up less space and can be grown in containers anything from pots to bags. As they’re harvested by midsummer, they free up space for a later crop, such as courgettes or beans. There are 2 types of earlies.
First Early – Normally planted between February & April* and ready in approx. 10-12 weeks
Second Early - Normally planted between March & April* and ready in approx. 13 weeks
Main Crop Varieties – Normally planted mid to late April*, they produce larger potatoes and a larger crop than the early varieties and require more space. They also take longer to mature (approx. 15-20 weeks). They are ideal for roasting and baking, and can be stored for use in winter.
*Potato shoots are susceptible to frost, if planted early they must be protected. In the ground they can be covered with soil, compost or straw. In containers they can be moved to s shed or greenhouse.
Chit your Potatoes
It’s important with earlies to chit before planting. Basically, you are forcing the potatoes to sprout prior to planting which creates an earlier and stronger crop. Place the potatoes upright (with any eyes to the top) in the egg box and leave in a cool light place for 4-6 weeks. If you do not chit your potatoes, they will still grow ok but will take a lot longer to be ready to harvest.
Prepare the ground
If you are growing your potatoes in the ground it is a good idea to prepare the area in advance (this can even be done the previous Autumn into Winter). Potatoes like a rich fertile soil in a nice sunny area so adding a good helping of well-rotted manure and/or compost should ensure a good crop. Potatoes planted in the ground generally don’t need a further feed unless the soil is particularly poor. It worth noting that potatoes do benefit from regular crop rotation. By planting them in a different area of your garden every year you reduce the build-up of diseases and pests in the soil.
Planting Potatoes in the ground
If you’ve prepared it in advance your soil should now be well fertilised. Dig a trench (commonly known as a potato drill) 15cm deep and place your seed potatoes ‘eye up’ at the bottom. For early varieties plant each potato 30cm apart and each trench should be 60cm apart. For main crop varieties increase this to 40cm apart and 80cm between trenches. Cover the potatoes with a layer of soil approx. 3cm deep and water in well.
Earthing Up
As the potato shoots grow and burst through the soil they should be covered with another layer, this is commonly called ‘earthed up’. This process protects the new tender shoots from late frost damage and the potatoes now growing underneath from going green due to exposure. Basically, you are creating a ridge over the trench you originally dug, the ridges final height should be approx. 20 to 30cm when finished. Continue to earth up regularly every couple of weeks until the ridge has reached this height. The easiest way to earth up potatoes is with a soil rake or hoe, this also has the added benefit of disturbing any growing weeds. On the subject of weeds, do weed regularly until your potatoes are well established with plenty of leaves. At this point the weeds will not damage your potatoes so they can be left.
Growing potatoes in containers
More suited to early varieties which are smaller so need less space to grow. Always ensure whatever container you use that there is sufficient drainage. Pick a container at least 30cm wide and about 40cm deep and fill it halfway with a good quality compost mixed with a general fertiliser or potato/vegetable feed. Plant one seed potato per 30cm of diameter and put them just below the surface level of compost. As the shoots grow and break through the surface cover them by adding another layer of compost. Continue to do this until the level is a couple of cm below the rim.
Potatoes grown in containers will need to be fed regularly (even more frequently if using peat-free compost). A liquid feed is ideal for this.
Watering
Ground – Should only require watering in periods of dry weather.
Container – Will generally require regular watering even during wet weather, the potato leaves can stop rain soaking into the compost. Check containers regularly and do not let them dry out.
Harvesting
Harvesting is the fun part but it can be tricky to know when to harvest. The method differs depending on potato type and where they are planted however, if you gently move back the soil/compost you can check the crop and if needed cover them back up again to continue growing.
Earlies – Harvest when the plants flower or shortly afterwards.
Main Crop Varieties – Harvest after the foliage dies back. Can be left up to 4 weeks but should be checked regularly as leaving them in the ground can leave them susceptible to blight or frost.
Potatoes in containers can usually be harvested gently by hand. Those in the ground will need digging up with a fork or spade, be careful not to spear any potatoes by digging gently around a foot away from the plant.
