Seed Potatoes for Sale: A Guide to Buying, Planting, and Growing

Finding high-quality seed potatoes for sale is the first step to growing a successful potato crop. Whether you’re looking for early varieties, maincrop potatoes, or salad types, purchasing the right seed potatoes ensures healthy plants and a productive harvest. With numerous suppliers offering seed potatoes for sale, understanding what to look for will help you make the best choice for your garden.

This guide provides everything you need to know about buying seed potatoes, including where to find them, what to look for, and how to plant and grow them successfully.

What Are Seed Potatoes?

Seed potatoes are specially grown tubers certified as disease-free and used for planting potato crops. Unlike regular potatoes, seed potatoes are bred to ensure reliable growth and high yields.

Key Features

• Certified Disease-Free: Minimizes the risk of introducing diseases like blight or scab to your garden.
• Pre-Sprouted or Ready for Chitting: Ensures faster and healthier growth.
• Variety Options: Includes early, maincrop, and salad potatoes.

Where to Find Seed Potatoes for Sale

1. Garden Centres and Nurseries

• Garden centres often stock a wide variety of seed potatoes during planting season (January–April).
• Advantages:
  • Inspect the tubers in person for quality.
  • Get expert advice on the best varieties for your region.

2. Online Retailers

• Online shops like Suttons, Thompson & Morgan, Dobies, and Marshalls offer an extensive range of seed potatoes.
• Advantages:
  • Convenient home delivery.
  • Access to a broader selection, including heritage and organic varieties.

3. Farmers’ Markets

• Farmers’ markets are a great place to find unique or heritage seed potatoes.
• Advantages:
  • Support local farmers.
  • Fresh and regionally-suited options.

4. Allotment Shops

• Many allotment associations sell affordable seed potatoes suited to local growing conditions.
• Advantages:
  • Localized advice and varieties.

5. Agricultural Suppliers

• Agricultural supply stores are ideal for bulk purchases.
• Advantages:
  • Economical for large-scale planting.
  • Reliable sources for certified seed potatoes.

What to Look for When Buying Seed Potatoes

1. Certification:
   • Ensure the seed potatoes are certified disease-free to reduce the risk of introducing pests and diseases.
2. Firm and Healthy Tubers:
   • Look for firm, plump tubers without blemishes, soft spots, or signs of mold.
3. Visible Eyes:
   • Seed potatoes should have multiple visible eyes (sprouting points).
4. Variety Suitability:
   • Choose varieties suited to your soil, climate, and intended culinary use.
5. Pack Size:
   • Purchase the appropriate quantity based on your available planting space.

Popular Seed Potato Varieties for Sale

1. First Early Potatoes

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

2. Second Early Potatoes

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

3. Maincrop Potatoes

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

4. Salad Potatoes

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

When to Buy Seed Potatoes

• January to February: Ideal time to buy seed potatoes to start chitting.
• March to April: Planting season begins for most varieties.

How to Prepare and Plant Seed Potatoes

1. Chitting

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

2. Preparing the Soil

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

3. Planting

In the Ground:

1. Dig trenches or holes about 10 cm deep.
2. Place chitted seed potatoes with the sprouts facing upward.
3. Space 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.

In Containers or Bags:

1. Fill the container or 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 Seed Potatoes

1. Watering:
   • Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during tuber development.
2. Earthing Up:
   • Mound soil or compost around the stems to protect tubers from sunlight and prevent greening.
3. Pest Management:
   • Watch for slugs, wireworms, and aphids, and use organic pest control methods.
4. Frost Protection:
   • Cover young plants with fleece or cloches if frost is forecast.

Harvesting Seed Potatoes

1. First and Second Earlies:
   • Harvest 10–15 weeks after planting when plants flower or 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.

Common Challenges When Buying and Growing Seed Potatoes

1. Disease Risk:
   • Solution: Only buy certified disease-free seed potatoes.
2. Poor Sprouting:
   • Solution: Start chitting early in a cool, bright location.
3. Blight:
   • Solution: Choose blight-resistant varieties and ensure good airflow between plants.

Top 10 Questions About Seed Potatoes for Sale

1. What are seed potatoes?

Seed potatoes are certified disease-free tubers used for planting potato crops.

2. Where can I buy seed potatoes?

You can buy seed potatoes at garden centres, online retailers, allotment shops, and farmers’ markets.

3. When should I buy seed potatoes?

Buy seed potatoes in January or February to start chitting before planting season.

4. How do I know if seed potatoes are fresh?

Fresh seed potatoes are firm, plump, and free of blemishes or mold.

5. What are the best varieties for beginners?

Rocket and Swift are excellent first earlies, while Charlotte is a reliable second early.

6. Can I grow seed potatoes in containers?

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

7. How do I store seed potatoes before planting?

Store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space to prevent premature sprouting.

8. Are seed potatoes resistant to blight?

Some varieties, like Sarpo Mira and Kestrel, are naturally blight-resistant.

9. How many seed potatoes do I need?

One seed potato typically produces 6–10 tubers, so calculate based on your space and needs.

10. Can I use supermarket potatoes as seed potatoes?

It’s not recommended, as supermarket potatoes may carry diseases or be treated to prevent sprouting.

Conclusion

Finding seed potatoes for sale is the first step to growing a healthy and productive potato crop. With a wide range of options available from garden centres, online retailers, and farmers’ markets, you can select the perfect variety for your needs. By choosing certified seed potatoes and following proper planting and care techniques, you’ll enjoy a delicious and rewarding harvest.