To grow potatoes successfully, follow these key steps:
Preparing the Soil
- Choose a sunny, open site that is not prone to late frosts, as young shoots are vulnerable to frost damage in spring.
- Potatoes prefer rich, fertile, and well-drained soil. Work in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting, ideally in the previous autumn or winter.
- If planting in heavy clay soil, consider using raised beds filled with light, fluffy soil to give potatoes room to grow well
Planting
- Use certified seed potatoes. You can prepare them by "chitting" (sprouting) them in a cool, bright place before planting to speed up growth, especially for early varieties.
- Plant seed potatoes in spring, timing depending on variety and location:
- First earlies: late March
- Second earlies: early to mid-April
- Maincrops: mid-April to early May
- Dig trenches about 15 cm (6 in) deep or individual holes 4-6 inches deep.
- Place seed potatoes with sprouts facing upwards, spaced about 30 cm (12 in) apart in rows 60-75 cm (2-2.5 ft) apart.
- Cover with 2.5 cm (1 in) of soil initially, then fill the trench after planting
Caring for Potato Plants
- Earthing up: When shoots reach about 20-23 cm (8-9 in) tall, mound soil around the stems to protect developing tubers from light (which makes them green and inedible) and frost. Repeat earthing up several times as plants grow, building ridges 20-30 cm (8-12 in) high.
- Watering: Keep soil moist, especially during dry spells. Container-grown potatoes need regular watering.
- Feeding: Potatoes generally do well without extra feeding if soil is fertile, but maincrop potatoes benefit from a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer at the second earthing up. Container potatoes require feeding during growth.
- Weeding: Weed regularly for the first couple of months to reduce competition, then the potato foliage will shade out weeds.
- Frost protection: Protect young shoots from frost with cloches or covers if frost is forecast
Growing in Containers
- Use large containers at least 30 cm (12 in) deep and wide.
- Plant one seed potato per 30 cm diameter pot, half-filled with peat-free compost.
- As shoots grow, gradually add more compost until just below the rim.
- Keep containers in full sun and water regularly
Harvesting
- First earlies are ready about 10-12 weeks after planting when flowers appear.
- Second earlies and maincrops take longer.
- Carefully dig up tubers when foliage dies back or when potatoes reach desired size.
By following these steps—preparing fertile soil, planting seed potatoes properly, earthing up, watering, and protecting from frost—you can grow a healthy and productive potato crop
