Potato Seed: Everything You Need to Know About Growing Potatoes

Potato seed, often referred to as seed potatoes, is the key to growing a successful potato crop. These specially grown tubers are certified as disease-free and ready to be planted to produce new potato plants. Whether you’re growing in a garden bed, container, or potato bag, understanding how to use potato seed properly is crucial for a productive and healthy harvest.

This guide provides detailed information about potato seed, including how to prepare, plant, and care for it to achieve the best results.

What Is Potato Seed?

Potato seed refers to tubers specifically grown and certified for planting. Unlike regular potatoes, seed potatoes are free from diseases and bred for consistent growth and high yields. They sprout and grow into full potato plants that produce multiple new tubers.

Key Features of Potato Seed

• Certified Disease-Free: Minimizes the risk of blight, scab, and other diseases.
• Sprouting Ready: Often pre-sprouted or chitted to encourage faster growth.
• Variety Options: Available in early, maincrop, and salad types to suit different needs.

Types of Potato Seed

1. First Early Seed Potatoes

• Planting Time: Late February to early March.
• Harvest Time: 10–12 weeks after planting.
• Examples: Rocket, Swift, Arran Pilot.
• Best For: Early harvests of tender new potatoes.

2. Second Early Seed Potatoes

• Planting Time: Mid-to-late March.
• Harvest Time: 13–15 weeks after planting.
• Examples: Charlotte, Kestrel, Maris Peer.
• Best For: Salads and mid-season meals.

3. Maincrop Seed Potatoes

• Planting Time: Late March to early April.
• Harvest Time: 18–20 weeks after planting.
• Examples: Maris Piper, King Edward, Desiree.
• Best For: Storage and large yields.

4. Salad Seed Potatoes

• Planting Time: Mid-March.
• Harvest Time: 12–14 weeks after planting.
• Examples: Pink Fir Apple, Nicola, Ratte.
• Best For: Waxy potatoes ideal for salads.

Where to Buy Potato Seed

1. Garden Centres and Nurseries

• Widely available during planting season (January–April).
• Advantages: Inspect the quality of tubers and get expert advice.

2. Online Retailers

• Websites like Suttons, Marshalls, and Dobies offer a wide variety.
• Advantages: Convenient with more variety available.

3. Farmers’ Markets

• Great for discovering unique or heirloom seed potatoes.
• Advantages: Support local growers and access fresh seed potatoes.

4. Allotment Shops

• Often stock affordable and regionally-suited potato seed varieties.
• Advantages: Tailored to local growing conditions.

How to Prepare Potato Seed

1. Chitting

Chitting encourages seed potatoes to sprout before planting, ensuring faster and healthier growth.

How to Chit Seed Potatoes:

1. Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot, with the eyes (sprouting points) facing upward.
2. Allow sprouts to grow to 2–3 cm long before planting.
3. Start chitting 4–6 weeks before your planned planting date.

When to Plant Potato Seed

• First Earlies: Late February to early March.
• Second Earlies: Mid-to-late March.
• Maincrop: Late March to early April.

Factors to Consider:

• Wait until the soil is frost-free and workable.
• In colder regions, use cloches or fleece to protect young plants from frost.

How to Plant Potato Seed

1. Prepare the Soil

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

2. Planting in the Ground

1. Dig trenches or individual holes about 10 cm deep.
2. Place chitted seed potatoes with the sprouted eyes facing upward.
3. Space seed potatoes:
   • First and second earlies: 30 cm apart with rows 60 cm apart.
   • Maincrop: 40 cm apart with rows 75 cm apart.
4. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.

3. 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 lightly.
4. Add more soil as the plants grow, leaving the top leaves exposed.

Caring for Potato Seed Plants

1. Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Increase watering during tuber formation.

2. Earthing Up

• Mound soil or compost around the stems as plants grow to protect developing tubers from sunlight and prevent greening.

3. Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and during early growth to encourage healthy plants.

4. Frost Protection

• Cover young plants with fleece or cloches if frost is forecast.

5. Pest and Disease Management

• Rotate crops annually to reduce the risk of blight and other diseases.
• Protect against slugs, wireworms, and aphids with organic pest control methods.

Harvesting Potato Seed Crops

1. First and Second Earlies

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

2. Maincrop Potatoes

• Wait until the foliage dies back completely, around 18–20 weeks after planting.
• Use a garden fork to gently lift the tubers, taking care not to damage them.

Common Challenges in Growing Potato Seed

1. Frost Damage

• Cause: Planting too early or exposure to unexpected frost.
• Solution: Use cloches or fleece to protect young plants.

2. Poor Sprouting

• Cause: Low-quality seed potatoes or improper storage.
• Solution: Use certified seed potatoes and start chitting early.

3. Blight

• Cause: Wet, humid conditions.
• Solution: Plant resistant varieties and ensure good airflow between plants.

Tips for Growing Potato Seed Successfully

1. Start Early: Begin chitting in late winter to prepare seed potatoes for planting.
2. Choose the Right Variety: Match your seed potatoes to your desired harvest time and cooking needs.
3. Monitor Moisture Levels: Keep soil consistently moist but not overly wet during the growing season.
4. Rotate Crops: Avoid planting potatoes in the same spot each year to prevent soil-borne diseases.
5. Protect from Frost: Cover young plants with fleece during frost warnings.

Top 10 Questions About Potato Seed

1. What is potato seed?

Potato seed refers to small, certified disease-free tubers used for planting potato crops.

2. How do I prepare potato seed for planting?

Chit the seed potatoes by placing them in a cool, bright spot to sprout 4–6 weeks before planting.

3. When should I plant potato seed?

Plant potato seed from late February to early April, depending on the variety.

4. How deep should I plant potato seed?

Plant seed potatoes about 10 cm deep.

5. Can I grow potato seed in containers?

Yes, seed potatoes thrive in containers or potato bags with proper soil depth and drainage.

6. How far apart should I plant potato seed?

Space first and second earlies 30 cm apart and maincrop potatoes 40 cm apart.

7. How do I protect potato seed from frost?

Use fleece, cloches, or soil to shield young plants from frost.

8. How do I prevent potato blight?

Plant resistant varieties, ensure good airflow, and avoid overhead watering.

9. When should I harvest first early potatoes?

Harvest first earlies 10–12 weeks after planting when the plants flower.

10. Can I use supermarket potatoes as seed potatoes?

It’s not recommended, as supermarket potatoes may carry diseases and are often treated to prevent sprouting.

Conclusion

Potato seed is the key to a productive and healthy potato crop. By choosing certified seed potatoes, preparing your soil, and planting at the right time, you can enjoy a delicious and versatile harvest. Whether you’re growing in a garden bed, container, or potato bag, potato seed is easy to plant and care for, making it a perfect choice for gardeners of all skill levels.