Potato Growing tips , the easy way to grow your own potatoes

Grow from certified seeds which are proven to be free from disease.

First and second earlies will need Chitting. Chitting is a simple process placing the potatoes in an open tray eyes up in an area with light. They are ready to be planted when the shoots have reached an inch or so. Chitting should be carried out during February-March with the first earlies being planted out March-April and the second earlies planted out April.

Tubers should be planted on 4-5 inches of a good compost or organic mix. Depending on the pot size they can be planted in groups of 3-5 and covered with another 5 inches of your compost mix. Once the shoots have broken through and the leaves produced have reached 6inch tall you will have to cover them again. You should leave it until it is just below the top of the pot and still have room to water without removing compost. The covering process may have to be repeated several times during growth. Water when needed, weekly or more and feed at the same time using a liquid tomato feed.

Potatoes being planted in the ground should have the first earlies planted 1 foot apart in rows of 2 feet. Second earlies and main crops should be planted 15inches apart as they will need slightly more space. Water them during planting and only continue to water during hot days if they are dry. To protect the potatoes from frost you should pull soil over the potatoes once the shoots have reached 6inch or so, this process is known as Earthing up.

First earlies should be ready for harvest during early summer, May-July. Second earlies should be ready for harvest during later summer, June-September. Main crop should be ready during autumn, September-November