AN EASY GUIDE TO GROWING POTATOES
and when to plant and harvest each variety!

Potatoes are very easy to grow and will succeed in most soil.

If you lack space then large deep tubs, pots or strong bags on a sunny patio
or balcony can be used.

Ok, what does each seed potato variety mean and when should I plant and harvest my potatoes?

FIRST EARLY Seed Potatoes:
What does this mean?
The first variety to plant in spring and early to crop
...a typical new potato.

When do I plant 1st early seed potatoes?
End of March early April
30 to 60cm Apart
7 to 10cm Deep

When do I harvest 1st early seed potatoes?
 June to July
...when the flowers are fully open.

BUY first early seed potatoes

SECOND EARLY Seed Potatoes:
What does this mean?
The second stage of planting during mid spring and fairly early to crop
...lovely eaten fresh from the garden in summer.

When do I plant 2nd early seed potatoes?
Throughout April and early May
30 to 60cm Apart
7 to 10cm Deep

When do I harvest 2nd early seed potatoes?
July to August
...when the flowers are fully open.

BUY second early seed potatoes

MAIN CROP Seed Potatoes:
What does this mean?
Main crop potatoes are slower to grow and mature.
...these produce a heavy potato crop. An ideal potato for storing and may be used throughout winter.

When do I plant main crop seed potatoes?
End of April to June
30 to 60cm Apart
7 to 10cm Deep

When do I harvest main crop seed potatoes?
September to October
...when the flowers are fully open.

BUY main crop seed potatoes

HOW DO I GROW POTATOES IN A CONTAINER?

1. CHITTING - Firstly place your dry seed potatoes in a cardboard egg box, one per cell, on a
sunny windowsill and wait for little shoots to appear all over. This is called 'chitting' and prepares
your seed potato for planting. Chitting may take a few weeks so be patient!

2. FILL a deep tub (ideally a 60cm deep container) with approx 10cm of soil mixed with compost.
Plant each seed potato in your container at about 30 to 60cm apart (about 3 or 4 per container).

3. PLANTING seed potatoes is easy. Place 3 or 4 in the filled tub (as above) and cover with a layer of soil/compost at about 7-10cm deep.

4. LAYER with soil when you see the green leaves of the potato plants growing up through the soil.
Simply add another 10cm layer of soil/compost.

5. REPEAT layering until you reach the container top.

6. HARVEST when the potato plant has grown and the flowers are fully open.

Remember - never eat any green part of a potato plant as they are poisonous. Only eat the potatoes!!