Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
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Selecting Seed Potatoes for Top Results
Selecting Seed Potatoes for Top Results
Great potatoes start with great seed! Healthy, high-quality “seed potatoes” ensure strong plants, big yields, and reduced risk of disease. But with so many options on the racks—or online—how do you pick the best?
Here’s your go-to guide for choosing seed potatoes that’ll set you up for spud success.
What Are Seed Potatoes?
- “Seed potatoes” are just small, specially grown potato tubers.
- They aren’t true seeds!
- Certified seed potatoes are guaranteed to be disease-free and grown to high standards, unlike supermarket or leftover kitchen potatoes.
Why Not Use Supermarket Potatoes?
- Store-bought spuds are often treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting.
- They may harbor hidden diseases like blight, virus, or scab.
- Using supermarket potatoes can introduce pests that ruin your soil for years.
Always buy certified seed potatoes from a trusted nursery or garden center.
How to Choose Quality Seed Potatoes
- Inspect Each Tuber:
- Should be firm, plump, and free of soft spots.
- Watch for cuts, mold, shriveled areas, or green patches (a sign of sun exposure).
- Size: Large tubers can be cut into pieces (each with at least one “eye”); small, egg-sized potatoes can be planted whole.
- Variety Matters:
- Match your garden’s conditions and your favorite recipes:
- Early types for impatient gardeners or containers
- Maincrops for big yields and long storage
- Culinary traits (see previous article)
- Match your garden’s conditions and your favorite recipes:
- Certified Label:
- Look for “certified seed potato” labels or supplier assurances, especially if buying online.
How Many Seed Potatoes Do You Need?
- 1kg (about 2.2 lbs) of seed potatoes typically plants a 3–4m row (10–12 feet), and yields 10–15kg (22–33 lbs) of spuds.
- For grow bags: 3–5 tubers per standard bag (around 40 liters).
Should You Cut Large Seed Potatoes?
- If your seed potatoes are big, you can cut them into pieces, each with one or two “eyes” (small sprouts).
- Let the cut surfaces dry for a day before planting to reduce rot risk.
- Do not cut if there are no obvious eyes!
Ordering Online vs. Local:
- Buying locally lets you choose each potato and often means varieties suited for your area.
- Ordering online offers a greater selection, but purchase early—many favorites sell out fast!
Pro Tips:
- Store seed potatoes in a cool, light place (not dark) before planting so they begin to sprout (“chit”).
- If you missed delivery or your garden center is out, ask neighbors or local gardening groups for swap shares!
Next Steps
Seed picked? Next up, discover Understanding Blight-Resistant Potatoes to make sure your crop stands strong all season long.