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Monday 12 October 2026
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.
🍂 Essential Garden & Allotment Products for October
October is the perfect time to prepare your garden
for winter, improve your soil and get ahead with
autumn planting. Here are some useful gardening
essentials for this month.
🌱 Compost & Soil Improvers
Give your garden beds a boost before winter with compost and organic matter.
Shop Compost & Soil Improvers
🌿 Autumn Plant Feed & Fertiliser
Prepare your soil for autumn planting with suitable fertilisers and soil nutrients.
Browse Garden Fertilisers
🥬 Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
Keep growing through autumn by starting suitable hardy crops under cover.
Shop Seed Trays
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When & Where to Plant Potatoes
When & Where to Plant Potatoes
Potatoes are adaptable but getting timing and location right makes for healthier, higher-yielding plants. Whether you’re using beds, containers, or grow bags, here’s how to give your spuds the best start.
When to Plant Potatoes
- First Earlies:
Plant as soon as the soil is workable, 2–4 weeks before your last expected frost. For most regions, that’s late February to March (under fleece or cloche in cold areas). - Second Earlies:
Plant from mid to late March or early April. - Maincrops:
Plant in April to early May, once soils have warmed up.
Tip:
Soil should be at least 6°C (43°F). Too cold, and seed potatoes may rot.
Where to Plant Potatoes
- Full Sun:
At least 6 hours of direct sun each day for strong growth and big yields. - Well-Drained Soil:
Avoid waterlogged spots—potatoes easily rot in poorly drained ground. - Soil Type:
Loose, friable (crumbly), slightly acidic soil is best. Heavy clay? Add compost or organic matter before planting. - Crop Rotation:
Never plant potatoes in the same spot 2 years in a row—rotate with beans, leafy greens, or brassicas to reduce pests and disease build-up.
Beds vs. Containers vs. Grow Bags
- Beds:
Choose a spot with space to earth up and rotate crops in future seasons. - Containers/Bags:
Use for small spaces or patios. Place where you get the most sun, and water/fertilize more often than in open ground.
Siting for Protection
- Late Frost Risk:
Be ready with fleece or cloches to cover shoots if a frost threatens after planting. - Wind:
Shelter from harsh winds, especially for tall maincrop varieties.
Soil Prep Checklist
- Remove weeds, stones, or old roots.
- Add compost or well-rotted manure weeks before planting.
- Avoid liming soil right before planting—it can cause potato scab.
Pro Tip for Eager Growers
- In very mild climates, you can try a late autumn/winter planting for “Christmas potatoes” using frost protection or in a greenhouse.
What’s Next?
Now you’re ready to get spuds in the soil! Dive into the next article: Chitting Potatoes: Is It Really Necessary? to decide if you should pre-sprout your seed potatoes or go straight to planting.