When planning to grow potatoes there are a two things to bear in mind before you start.
- Do you want early, late or both varieties.
- What space do you have.
Early varieties take up less space as the tubers are smaller, approx 20 cm between each plant and 50cm between each row. They are ideal for growing in pots, potato sacks or large buckets, will be lifted by the end of June providing space in the vegetable patch for a crop of something else. Late varieties need plenty of space, approx 30cm between each plant and 60cm between each row and will be in place until September. They will grow in pots but the crop will be less productive and you will get smaller tubers.
How many plants do you need?
In a good season each potato planted should produce enough tubers to feed a family of 4 for a week having 1 meal with potatoes each day. As potatoes store well the number of plants you grow will really be down to the amount of space you have available for them, bear in mind you might want to grow other vegetables as well so a bit of planning is necessary here. If you fancy growing early and late varieties and space is limiting then I suggest you grow your earlies in pots. Once grown the patch of soil should not be used for potatoes again for 2 seasons so if you really love spuds don’t fill you whole plot with them you need to plan in crop rotation.
Soil preparation
Potatoes will grow in almost any soil type and are particularly good for growing in uncultivated soil as the tubers swell they break up and loosen the soil, earthing up helps turn the top soil and the dense leafy plants shade out most weed seeds. If possible dig in compost or well rotted manure to the patch in the autumn. Remove any weeds in spring.
Sewing the seeds
Seed potatoes are usually available from late January. There are loads of varieties to choose from so have a look around and find the best for your culinary choices. Lay the seed potatoes out, preferably with the rose end upper most, the end with the most eyes in it, an egg box is ideal for this. They should be left in a light, but not sunny, frost free place. We use the shed or garage, my father in law uses his spare bedroom. Leave them there until the shoots start to appear and have grown to approx 5cm long.
When your seed potatoes are ready lay them in a trench approx 10 cm deep with the shoots uppermost then cover them with soil. Early varieties need approx 20 cm between each plant and 50cm between each row, main crop varieties need approx 30cm between each plant and 60cm between each row.
Plant care
Your plants will soon start to push shoots through searching for light. If there is a risk of frost cover the young tender leaves with soil to protect them. Once the leaf stem or haulm is approx 20 cm long it is time to earth up, this means building up the soil around the plant to ensure any tubers are covered by a protective layer of soil. If exposed the tubers will be green and poisonous, earthing up is important. Use the loose soil available between the rows for earthing up, use a hoe to build a ridge around the plant stems 10 – 15 cm high.
As the plants mature, if the weather is dry, water them regularly, this is the time when the tubers are maturing. Additional water will help you to produce a better crop of larger potatoes.
Growing potatoes in containers
Container growing is ideal for new potatoes and fine for main crop if you don’t mind a smaller potato. You will need 1 container per seed potato for the best success, plant no more than 3 if you have containers large enough. When your seed potatoes have been chitted three quarters fill your container with compost or soil, place the seed potato in and cover with a 10cm layer of soil/compost. As the plant grows above the top of the container add more soil/compost to just below the container rim. Water them regularly.
Happy growing!