Early Potatoes: A Complete Guide to Planting, Growing, and Harvesting
Early potatoes are a staple for home gardeners because they grow quickly and produce delicious, tender tubers before the main crop. Whether you’re growing them in containers, raised beds, or garden rows, early potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to cultivate.
If you’re looking to maximize your yield and get fresh potatoes earlier in the season, this guide will cover:
✔️ The best early potato varieties to grow
✔️ When and how to plant early potatoes
✔️ How to care for your crop for the best yield
✔️ When and how to harvest early potatoes
Let’s get started on growing an amazing early potato crop! 🥔🌱
What Are Early Potatoes?
Early potatoes are fast-growing varieties that mature in 10-12 weeks, making them the first potatoes of the season.
🔹 Types of Potatoes Based on Growth Time:
| Type | Time to Maturity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| First Early Potatoes | 10-12 weeks | Fast harvest, small and tender potatoes |
| Second Early Potatoes | 12-16 weeks | Slightly larger, harvested in early summer |
| Maincrop Potatoes | 16-22 weeks | Larger tubers for long storage |
Early potatoes are perfect for:
✔️ Growing in small spaces (like containers or raised beds)
✔️ Quick harvests before other crops take up space
✔️ Delicious, waxy potatoes ideal for salads and boiling
Best Early Potato Varieties
🥔 First Early Potato Varieties (10-12 Weeks)
- Rocket – One of the fastest-growing early potatoes with a high yield.
- Swift – Extremely quick to mature and great for container growing.
- Arran Pilot – A classic, flavorful waxy potato, perfect for boiling.
🥔 Second Early Potato Varieties (12-16 Weeks)
- Charlotte – A popular salad potato with a smooth, creamy texture.
- Kestrel – Has a distinctive purple skin blush and excellent taste.
- Maris Peer – Produces uniform-sized potatoes, great for roasting and steaming.
Tip: First early potatoes are best for quick harvests, while second earlies offer slightly bigger tubers with a longer growing period.
When to Plant Early Potatoes
Early potatoes are planted in late winter to early spring and harvested before summer.
| Climate | Planting Time | Harvest Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mild/Warm Regions | Late February – March | May – June |
| Cooler Regions | March – April | June – July |
🔹 Indoor Chitting: Start chitting (pre-sprouting) potatoes 4-6 weeks before planting for an earlier harvest.
Fact: The earlier you plant, the sooner you’ll get fresh potatoes in late spring!
How to Plant Early Potatoes
Step 1: Chit Your Seed Potatoes (Pre-Sprouting)
Chitting gives potatoes a head start before planting, helping them grow faster once in the soil.
✔️ Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot (like a windowsill).
✔️ Keep them in egg cartons or a shallow tray with the sprouting side facing up.
✔️ Wait for short, green shoots (1-2 cm) to develop before planting.
Tip: Avoid long, white shoots—these are weak and will break easily!
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Potatoes need well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
✔️ Dig trenches about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) deep.
✔️ Mix in compost or well-rotted manure for nutrient-rich soil.
✔️ Avoid fresh manure, as it can cause potato scab.
Container Growing: Use a deep pot (at least 30cm) with a mix of compost and soil.
Step 3: Planting the Potatoes
✔️ Space seed potatoes 30cm (12 inches) apart in rows.
✔️ Cover with soil and water well.
✔️ When shoots reach 10cm (4 inches), begin earthing up (covering with soil).
Tip: Earthing up prevents greening and improves yield by encouraging more tuber growth!
How to Care for Early Potatoes
💧 Watering
✔️ Water consistently, especially when plants begin flowering.
✔️ Avoid overwatering—soggy soil can cause rot.
🌱 Earthing Up (Mounding Soil Around Plants)
✔️ When shoots reach 10cm (4 inches), cover the base with soil to prevent sunlight from reaching tubers.
✔️ Repeat every 2 weeks as the plants grow.
🌿 Fertilizing
✔️ Use a potassium-rich fertilizer for better tuber growth.
✔️ Avoid too much nitrogen—it encourages leafy growth but fewer potatoes.
When & How to Harvest Early Potatoes
🗓️ When to Harvest
Early potatoes are ready 8-12 weeks after planting, usually when:
✔️ The plants start flowering (for some varieties).
✔️ The foliage begins to yellow and die back.
✔️ The potatoes are large enough for eating (gently dig one up to check).
🧑🌾 How to Harvest
✔️ Use a fork or hands to gently lift potatoes from the soil.
✔️ Harvest carefully to avoid damaging the skin.
✔️ Allow potatoes to dry for a few hours before storing.
Tip: Harvest early potatoes fresh—they don’t store as long as maincrop varieties.
Storing & Using Early Potatoes
✔️ Store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 4 weeks.
✔️ Don’t refrigerate—cold temperatures can turn starch into sugar, affecting taste.
✔️ Use within a few weeks for the best texture and flavor.
🔹 Best Ways to Cook Early Potatoes:
🥔 Boiled – Perfect for salads.
🥔 Steamed – Enhances natural sweetness.
🥔 Roasted – Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside.
🥔 Mashed – Creamy and smooth for side dishes.
Fact: Early potatoes are known for their tender skin and creamy texture, making them ideal for fresh eating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do early potatoes take to grow?
First early potatoes take 10-12 weeks, and second early potatoes take 12-16 weeks to mature.
Do early potatoes need chitting?
Chitting speeds up growth and helps produce a quicker harvest, but it’s not required.
Can I grow early potatoes in containers?
Yes! Use a deep container (30cm+), good soil, and keep earthing up as the plant grows.
Do early potatoes store well?
Early potatoes don’t store as long as maincrop varieties—use them within a few weeks for best quality.
When should I plant early potatoes?
Plant early potatoes from February to April, depending on your climate.
Final Thoughts: Grow Your Own Early Potatoes!
Growing early potatoes is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for home gardeners.
✔️ Choose the right variety for your needs.
✔️ Chit your potatoes for faster sprouting.
✔️ Plant, water, and earth up for a strong crop.
✔️ Harvest in just 10-12 weeks for fresh, delicious potatoes!
Ready to start planting? Get your seed potatoes and enjoy an early harvest this season! 🌱🥔