Potatoes are a staple crop for any home gardener – easy to grow and tasty to eat! Whether you’re after buttery new potatoes or hearty maincrop varieties that are perfect for mashing, growing your own spuds is a rewarding experience. Plus, they store well, making them a practical choice for any kitchen.
Here’s all you need to know about growing potatoes at home.
Types of Potatoes
Potatoes come in several categories based on harvest time and use:
- First Earlies: Ready in as little as 10–12 weeks, these small potatoes are planted between February and April. They’re small, sweet and take up much less growing space than main crops.
- Second Earlies: Planted between March and April, second earlies take 13–14 weeks to mature; great for salads. They’re slightly bigger than first earlies.
- Maincrop: Generally the largest potatoes you can grow, maincrops require 15–20 weeks through late summer and early autumn; ideal for baking, roasting, and storing.
- Specialty Varieties: Unique options like purple or fingerling potatoes for adventurous gardeners.
How to sow potatoes
The first step that many people take before planting their seed potatoes is called chitting. This means storing your potatoes in a light but cool space a few weeks before they’re planted in the ground as a way of encouraging the tuber to produce strong, short, stubby green shoots before planting. Essentially, this gives them a head start!
Where to Plant
Potatoes thrive in loamy, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. If you have growing space that’s got well-rotted manure, this is a great spot for potatoes! But, remember to rotate your crops to optimise nutrients in the soil and prevent diseases.
The great thing about potatoes is that you can grow them in so many different ways so whether you have a balcony or a garden, you can still enjoy tasty potatoes! Just make sure your growing space in a sunny location with at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Planting in the ground:
1. Dig trenches about 10-15cm deep.
2. Space the trenches 60cm apart to allow room for growth and easy access.
3. Place seed potatoes 30cm apart within the trench, with the sprouts facing upward.
4. Cover the seed potatoes with soil, leaving a small mound over each one.
5. As the shoots grow, "earth up" the soil around the base to cover the lower stems and protect the tubers from light. This simply means adding more soil on top of the potatoes each time the leaves begin to sprout above ground.
6. Keep the potatoes well watered!
Top tip: Earthing up protects the shoots from frost damage in late spring and ensures the developing potatoes aren’t exposed to light, which turns them green and inedible.
Planting in grow bags:
1. Fill the bottom of the grow bag with about 10-15cm of compost or soil.
2. Place 2-3 seed potatoes on the soil surface with sprouts facing upward.
3. Cover the seed potatoes with another 10cm of compost.
4. As the plants grow, gradually add more compost to cover the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. Repeat until the grow bag is full.
5. Keep the grow bag in a sunny location and ensure consistent watering.
Taking care of potatoes
Water your potatoes consistently, especially during flowering when tubers are forming but try to avoid overwatering to prevent rot. Using a balanced fertiliser or potato-specific feed every 4–6 weeks can also help with growth.
Harvesting potatoes
Harvesting your potatoes is the fun part! First and second earlies are ready to harvest when flowers bloom, usually 10–14 weeks after planting whereas main crop potatoes can be harvested when the foliage turns yellow and starts to die back.
The best harvesting technique for potatoes is to gently lift plants with a garden fork. Dig into the soil some pace from the trench to avoid piercing the tubers then gently lift up your fork to lift up the potatoes.
Once the soil is loose you can dig around with your hands to lift them out the ground – don’t forget to dig deep, you’ll be surprised just how many potatoes are hiding in the soil!
If you’ve using grow bags, lay out a sheet of plastic on the ground and gently tip the grow out to reveal your spud harvest.
Let the tubers dry for a few hours, then store in a cool, dark, and dry place. Avoid washing until ready to use.
Common potato pests and diseases
Not every potato harvest will be a complete success but that’s just a natural part of gardening. Common diseases and pests can affect your crop so it’s important to look out for these signs:
Potato Blight
Signs: Yellowing leaves with brown spots that spread quickly, especially in warm and humid conditions.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Choose blight-resistant varieties.
- Ensure good air circulation between plants by maintaining proper spacing.
- Remove and destroy any affected plants promptly to prevent the spread.
Slugs
Signs: Holes in leaves and damaged tubers.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Use organic slug pellets sparingly or lay beer traps near plants.
- Encourage natural predators like birds and frogs in your garden.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of tiny green or black insects on stems and leaves, often accompanied by sticky residue.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Introduce beneficial insects like ladybirds.
- Use a mild soapy water spray to remove aphids naturally.
Wireworms
Signs: Small holes in tubers caused by the larvae of click beetles.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Rotate crops annually to disrupt the life cycle.
- Avoid planting potatoes in areas recently used for grass.
Growing potatoes is easier than you might think, and the results are incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re filling your plates with creamy mash or crispy fries, there’s nothing like homegrown spuds. So grab your seed potatoes and get planting—your harvest awaits!
Potato FAQ
What is "earthing up"?
Earthing up refers to the process of mounding soil around the base of potato plants as they grow. This practice helps to protect developing tubers from sunlight, which can cause them to turn green and become toxic. It also encourages the plant to produce more tubers and shields early shoots from frost damage.
What does it mean if potatoes are green?
Green potatoes occur when the tubers are exposed to sunlight, which triggers the production of chlorophyll and solanine, a natural toxin. To prevent this, ensure tubers are always covered with soil or mulch. Green potatoes should not be eaten, as they can cause stomach discomfort and other issues.
How many potatoes can I expect from one plant?
A single potato plant typically yields between 10 and 15 potatoes, depending on the variety, growing conditions, and care provided during the growing season.
Can I grow potatoes from store-bought ones?
Although it is technically possible to grow potatoes from store-bought ones, it is not recommended. Store-bought potatoes may carry diseases or be treated with sprout inhibitors that can hinder growth. Certified seed potatoes are a safer and more reliable option for growing a healthy crop.
How do I know when my potatoes are ready to harvest?
Potatoes are ready to harvest at different times depending on their type. Early varieties are usually ready when the plants begin to flower, and you can check the size of the tubers by carefully digging around them. Maincrop potatoes should be harvested when the foliage turns yellow and dies back completely.
How do I store harvested potatoes?
Once harvested, potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Hessian sacks or paper bags are ideal for storage, as they allow air circulation while keeping the potatoes in a dark environment. Avoid using plastic bags, as they trap moisture and can lead to rot.