How to Plant Seed Potatoes

The traditional method of planting and growing potatoes is to choose a nice south facing site that is away from tree and hedges. You should try not to plant potatoes in areas that can be prone to frost in low lying pockets.

Soil Conditions for Growing Potatoes

Ideal soil conditions for growing potatoes are sandy loam soils which can be enriched with lots of organic matter to aid water retention and provide suitable feeding for you potatoes.

Heavy clay soils can be improved by adding sharp sand and lots of organic matter in the autumn of the year so that the new soil mixture can be exposed to frost which will help break up the soil structure and make it easier to work with.

If you are unable to get organic matter you can add compost to the area you wish to plant your potatoes in.

Using Fertiliser

In the early part of spring where weather conditions allow you can broadcast a balanced potato fertiliser at a rate of around 4oz per square yard. Vitax organic potato fertiliser would be suitable for this as it is a slow release fertiliser formulated for potatoes.

Once you have spread your fertiliser you can either fork the soil so that it is well mixed or gently rotovate and leave for around 10 days before planting for the fertiliser to work into the soil structure.

Get Digging

Now to make your potato beds. Dig a trench 6 inches deep and the width of your shovel. Sprinkle 2oz of your potato fertiliser for each metre length of your trench. Again gently fork the fertiliser into the soil in the bottom of the trench.

Slugs

If you have problems with slugs in your garden them now would be the time to add slug pellets to the trench following the recommended dosage from the manufactuer or use nemaslug which are nematodes designed to attack slugs and stop the problem.

Planting your Seed Potatoes

Now to plant your potatoes. First earlies should be planted 12″apart along your drill and the space between drills should be around 24″.

Second earlies and maincrops can be planted 15″ apart  with a space of 28″ between the drills.

Now that you have your potatoes in the ground simply use the soil that you had already taken out of the trench and carefully scatter it on top of the potatoes until the trench is once again flat.

Earthing Up

Once the potatoes start to grow through the top of the drill you should then start to earth up.

Earthing up is best done with a garden hoe. The aim is to form a peaked ridge with the loose soil at the edge of the trench to prevent your potatoes turning green which would make them inedible.

This might be required 2/3 times a season.

Planting first early seed potatoes

Ideal for the earliest summer harvests.

• Planting time: Around late March
• Position: Full sun
• Planting depth: About 10 cm
• Spacing: 30 cm between tubers
• Row spacing: 60 cm
• Harvest: Usually June to July
• Approximate growing time: 10 to 12 weeks

Harvesting

Harvest once the plants begin flowering and the tubers have reached the size you need. First earlies are best eaten soon after lifting and are not normally intended for long-term storage.
 

Second Early Seed Potato

Second earlies mature after first earlies and generally produce a slightly larger crop.

• Chit the seed potatoes in a cool, bright and frost-free position.
• Allow short, strong shoots to develop rather than long, pale shoots.
• Prepare a sunny site with fertile, free-draining soil.
• Add well-rotted organic matter if the soil needs improvement.

Planting second early seed potatoes

Useful for reliable mid-season harvests.

• Planting time: Early to mid-April
• Position: Full sun
• Planting depth: 10 to 12 cm
• Spacing: Approximately 37 cm between tubers
• Row spacing: 60 cm
• Harvest: Usually July to August
• Approximate growing time: 12 to 16 weeks

How to plant

• Dig trenches approximately 10 to 12 cm deep.
• Place the seed potatoes with the strongest shoots facing upwards.
• Space tubers approximately 37 cm apart, with 60 cm between rows.
• Cover with soil and gently firm the surface.
• Water after planting if conditions are dry.

Earthing up and care

• Begin earthing up when shoots are approximately 15 to 20 cm tall.
• Continue adding soil around the stems as plants develop.
• Keep the growing area free from competing weeds.
• Water thoroughly during dry spells, especially as flowers appear.
• Avoid continuously waterlogged soil.

Harvesting

Second earlies are generally ready from midsummer. Lift one plant first to check tuber size. They are usually harvested and used as required rather than stored for long periods.

Main Crop

Maincrop potatoes remain in the ground for longer and generally produce the largest yields and biggest tubers.

• Chit seed potatoes in a cool, bright and frost-free position before planting.
• Choose a sunny site with deep, fertile and free-draining soil.
• Remove perennial weeds before planting.
• Rotate crops where possible to reduce the build-up of pests and diseases.

Planting maincrop seed potatoes

Maincrops take longer to mature but usually provide the heaviest harvest and are the best type for storing.

• Planting time: Mid-April to early May
• Position: Full sun
• Planting depth: 12 to 15 cm
• Spacing: Approximately 37 cm between tubers
• Row spacing: 75 cm
• Harvest: Usually August to October
• Approximate growing time: 18 to 22 weeks

How to plant

• Dig trenches approximately 12 to 15 cm deep.
• Place seed potatoes with shoots pointing upwards.
• Leave approximately 37 cm between tubers and 75 cm between rows.
• Cover carefully and water if the soil is dry.

Earthing up and care

• Earth up once shoots are approximately 15 to 20 cm tall.
• Continue building ridges as stems grow.
• Water thoroughly during extended dry periods.
• Consistent moisture is especially important while tubers are swelling.
• Reduce watering once foliage naturally yellows and dies back.

Harvesting and storage

Allow foliage to yellow and die back before harvesting. Lift carefully with a garden fork, dry briefly, then store sound tubers in paper or hessian sacks in a cool, dark, dry and frost-free place. Do not store damaged, diseased or green potatoes.