How to Grow Potatoes: A Complete Guide for a Successful Harvest

Growing potatoes is one of the most rewarding gardening activities, offering a plentiful supply of fresh, delicious tubers for your meals. Potatoes are versatile, easy to grow, and thrive in a variety of environments, making them an excellent choice for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Whether you’re planting in garden beds, containers, or potato bags, following the right steps ensures a bountiful crop.

This guide provides everything you need to know about growing potatoes, from preparation and planting to care, harvesting, and storage.

Why Grow Potatoes?

1. High Yield:
   • Potatoes produce a large number of tubers per plant, making them a highly productive crop.
2. Easy to Grow:
   • Potatoes are low-maintenance and adaptable to various growing conditions.
3. Versatile Varieties:
   • Choose from a wide range of types, including waxy salad potatoes, fluffy maincrops, and early-harvesting varieties.
4. Perfect for Containers:
   • Potatoes grow well in containers and potato bags, making them suitable for small spaces.

Types of Potatoes

1. First Early Potatoes:
   • Planting Time: Late February to early March.
   • Harvest Time: 10–12 weeks after planting.
   • Examples: Swift, Rocket, Arran Pilot.
2. Second Early Potatoes:
   • Planting Time: Mid-to-late March.
   • Harvest Time: 13–15 weeks after planting.
   • Examples: Charlotte, Kestrel, Maris Peer.
3. Maincrop Potatoes:
   • Planting Time: Late March to early April.
   • Harvest Time: 18–20 weeks after planting.
   • Examples: Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree.
4. Salad Potatoes:
   • Planting Time: Mid-March.
   • Harvest Time: 12–14 weeks after planting.
   • Examples: Pink Fir Apple, Nicola, Ratte.

When to Plant Potatoes

1. First Earlies

• Plant from late February to early March for an early harvest.

2. Second Earlies

• Plant from mid-to-late March, ideal for salads and light meals.

3. Maincrop Potatoes

• Plant from late March to early April for larger, storage-friendly tubers.

How to Grow Potatoes

1. Prepare the Potatoes (Chitting)

• When to Start: Begin chitting seed potatoes 4–6 weeks before planting, typically in January or February.
• How to Chit:
  1. Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright location with the eyes facing up.
  2. Allow sprouts to grow to 2–3 cm before planting.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil.
• Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Ensure the pH is between 5.5 and 6.5 for optimal growth.

3. Planting Potatoes in the Ground

1. Dig trenches or holes about 10 cm deep.
2. Place seed potatoes with the sprouted eyes facing upward.
3. Space potatoes 30 cm apart for earlies and 40 cm apart for maincrops, with rows 60 cm apart.
4. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.

4. Planting in Containers or Bags

1. Fill the container or potato bag with 10 cm of soil or compost.
2. Place 3–5 seed potatoes evenly spaced on the surface.
3. Cover with another 10 cm of soil and water gently.
4. Add more soil as the plants grow, leaving the top leaves exposed.

Caring for Potato Plants

1. Watering

• Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry spells.

2. Earthing Up

• As plants grow, mound soil or compost around the stems to protect developing tubers from sunlight and prevent greening.

3. Fertilizing

• Use a balanced fertilizer at planting and during early growth for healthy plants.

4. Pest and Disease Management

• Pests: Protect plants from slugs, wireworms, and aphids using organic pest control methods.
• Diseases: Use certified seed potatoes and rotate crops to prevent blight and scab.

Harvesting Potatoes

1. First and Second Earlies

• Harvest when the plants flower or the foliage begins to yellow, typically 10–15 weeks after planting.

2. Maincrop Potatoes

• Wait until the foliage dies back, around 18–20 weeks after planting.
• Use a garden fork to lift the tubers gently to avoid damage.

Storing Potatoes

1. Curing:
   • Dry harvested potatoes in a dark, cool, and dry place for 1–2 weeks.
2. Storage:
   • Store cured potatoes in a well-ventilated, dark location to prevent sprouting and greening.

Common Problems When Growing Potatoes

1. Blight

• Cause: Wet, humid conditions.
• Solution: Use resistant varieties, ensure good airflow, and avoid overhead watering.

2. Green Potatoes

• Cause: Tubers exposed to sunlight.
• Solution: Regularly earth up soil around plants to cover exposed tubers.

3. Poor Yield

• Cause: Poor soil fertility or inconsistent watering.
• Solution: Enrich the soil before planting and water regularly.

Tips for Growing Potatoes Successfully

1. Start Chitting Early: Begin chitting in late winter for a head start on the growing season.
2. Protect from Frost: Use fleece or cloches to shield young plants from late frosts.
3. Rotate Crops Annually: Avoid planting potatoes in the same spot each year to reduce disease risk.
4. Monitor Moisture Levels: Keep the soil moist but not overly wet during the growing season.
5. Choose the Right Variety: Select potato types based on your preferred harvest time and culinary uses.

Top 10 Questions About Growing Potatoes

1. What are seed potatoes?

Seed potatoes are small, certified disease-free tubers used for planting and growing potato crops.

2. When should I start chitting potatoes?

Start chitting 4–6 weeks before planting, typically in January or February.

3. How deep should I plant potatoes?

Plant potatoes about 10 cm deep.

4. Can I grow potatoes in containers?

Yes, potatoes grow well in containers or potato bags with proper soil depth and drainage.

5. How far apart should potatoes be spaced?

Space potatoes 30 cm apart for earlies and 40 cm apart for maincrops.

6. How do I prevent potato blight?

Use blight-resistant varieties, provide good airflow, and avoid overhead watering.

7. How do I know when to harvest potatoes?

Harvest earlies when plants flower and maincrops when the foliage dies back.

8. How do I store harvested potatoes?

Cure potatoes in a dark, dry place for 1–2 weeks, then store them in a cool, ventilated area.

9. Can I grow potatoes from grocery store tubers?

It’s not recommended, as grocery store potatoes may carry diseases or have been treated to prevent sprouting.

10. What is earthing up?

Earthing up involves mounding soil or compost around potato plants to protect tubers from sunlight and greening.

Conclusion

Growing potatoes is a rewarding and straightforward gardening activity that provides a delicious and versatile crop. By starting with high-quality seed potatoes, preparing your soil, and following proper planting and care techniques, you can enjoy a successful harvest. Whether you’re growing them in your garden, containers, or bags, fresh homegrown potatoes are just a few steps away.