Spudtacular success with British Garden Centres’ guide to potato growing

There’s nothing quite like growing and harvesting your own potatoes. These humble vegetables are a staple in many kitchens, loved for their versatility and delicious taste and are an excellent crop for both beginners and experienced gardeners. You can grow them outdoors in any space, including pots, raised beds, or even bags if you’re short on space. And with the chitting process starting this month, British Garden Centres has put together the ultimate guide to make sure you have a spudtacular harvest this year!

Which potatoes to grow?

When planting potatoes, it’s best to choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. You can either plant seed potatoes directly into the soil or start them off in containers before transplanting them into the ground. It’s important to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, and feed the plants regularly to encourage healthy growth.

There are four types of potatoes, first and second earlies, main crop, and autumn second crop, so called due to the time they are harvested.

• First Earlies (e.g., Accord, Arran Pilot, Pentland Javelin, Red Duke of York, Orla, Rocket, and Swift) are typically planted in March and harvested from May to July)
• Second Earlies (e.g., Charlotte, Estima, Maris Peer, Nadine, Nicola, Ratte, and Saxon) are planted in April and harvested from July to August.
• Main Crop potatoes (e.g., Desiree, King Edward, Maris Piper, and Picasso) are also planted in April and harvested from July to October.
• Autumn varieties (e.g., Charlotte, Desiree, Maris Peer, and Nicola) are planted in August and harvested from October to November.

How to grow your potatoes

Chitting: Your seed potatoes should be “chitted,” which means you allow them to sprout a little before planting. To do this, place in an eggbox with the end that has the most eyes pointing up, as this is where the sprouts will emerge. The tubers should be left in a cool, light place until the sprouts are approximately 2.5cm long. At this point, they are ready to be planted in the ground or potato bag.

Planting: To ensure a successful crop, it is essential to start with nutrient-rich soil. Before planting, treat the soil with a nutrient-rich vegetable food, which will provide the necessary nutrients for your potato plants to thrive. However, it’s important to make sure that the soil is not too wet or frozen when planting, as this can impede growth. We recommend waiting until after the last frost has passed.

When planting potatoes in the ground, it’s recommended to place them approximately 15cm and 30cm apart, with the eyes facing upwards. This will give them enough space to grow and develop. For container planting, it’s crucial to use a bag or pot at least 18 inches wide to provide enough space for your potatoes to grow.

Once the shoots start to appear and grow to about 6 inches tall, it’s time to start earthing up your potatoes. This process involves covering the new shoots with compost as they grow, which will prevent light exposure and reduce the risk of potatoes turning green. Be sure to water your potato plants well, as they require consistent moisture to thrive.

Harvesting:  Potatoes classified as first, and second earlies can usually be harvested from May to July when the flowers are in full bloom. Your main crop can be harvested from September, once the shoots have turned yellow.

First, cut the foliage to the ground and then gently lift the potatoes out of the ground using a fork. This will prevent any damage to the potatoes and ensure they remain intact. Once harvested, you can either use the potatoes immediately or store them in a cool, dry place for future use.

Troubleshooting:  Blight is a type of fungus that spreads quickly, caused by the spores of Phytophthora infestans which are carried by wind. It can lead to the rotting of foliage and the potatoes, making them unfit for consumption. Blight usually occurs during warm and humid conditions in summer.

To prevent blight, it is recommended to plant your potatoes in an open area with enough space between them. Additionally, treat them with fungicide before the blight appears and ensure crop rotation every season. Certain varieties such as ‘Cara’, ‘Orla’, ‘Sarpo’ and ‘Wilja’ are known to exhibit blight resistance. If blight strikes, you can pick off the affected leaves to slow down the spread of the disease. However, severely infected potato plants must be removed and disposed of.

Paul Williams, Plant Buyer at British Garden Centres said: “Our friendly team at your local British Garden Centres store is here to help you every step of the way and our first potatoes are in store now. We can advise you on the best potato varieties for your garden and help you choose the right supplies to ensure a successful harvest. Happy planting!”