When do I plant seed potatoes in the UK?

First earlies in mid-March in southern England, late March in the Midlands, early April in northern England and Scotland. Second earlies a fortnight later. Main-crop varieties from late April to mid-May. Earlier in mild south-coast gardens with fleece protection — but emerging shoots are frost-tender, so don't rush. If a frost is forecast after shoots emerge, draw soil over them or cover with fleece overnight.

Do I need to chit potatoes?

Chitting (sprouting) speeds up early varieties by 2–3 weeks and gives a slightly bigger crop. Stand seed tubers in a cool, light, frost-free place in egg boxes from late January. They're ready when shoots are 2 cm long, stocky and dark green. Main-crop varieties don't strictly need chitting — they have time to catch up — but you can chit them too. Don't use shop-bought eating potatoes; they may carry diseases and produce unpredictable crops.

How deep should I plant potatoes?

12 cm deep with 30 cm between tubers for earlies, 38 cm for main-crops. Rows 60 cm apart for earlies, 75 cm apart for main-crops. Make a trench with a draw hoe or spade; set tubers in with shoots facing up; cover with soil. Depth matters because the new tubers form on stems above the seed potato — too shallow and they turn green in light; too deep and they take longer to emerge.

How do I stop potato blight?

You can't stop it in a wet UK summer, but you can choose blight-resistant cultivars (Sarpo Mira, Sarpo Axona, Lady Balfour). Space plants well, water at the base, never the foliage. From July, check for brown patches on leaves daily. When blight strikes, cut all haulm at ground level immediately and burn it — don't compost. Leave tubers in the ground for two weeks so spores die off, then lift.

What's the difference between first earlies, second earlies and main-crop?

Days to maturity and how they store. First earlies (Charlotte, Pentland Javelin) crop in 10–12 weeks from planting — small, waxy, eat fresh. Second earlies (Maris Peer, Charlotte) take 13–14 weeks. Main-crops (Maris Piper, King Edward, Cara) take 18–20 weeks, give the heaviest crops, and store through winter. For a small garden, earlies in pots and bags give the best value; for a proper crop you want main-crops in the ground.

Can I grow potatoes in containers in the UK?

Yes — first and second earlies do well in 40-litre potato bags or large containers. Fill the bottom third with multipurpose compost, plant 2–3 chitted tubers, cover with 10 cm compost, then top up as shoots grow until the bag is full. Water consistently — containers dry out fast. Crop is ready when the foliage yellows or the plant flowers, depending on variety.

Pomme de terre

Solanum tuberosum

Plant seed potatoes from mid-March in southern England, mid-April in northern Scotland — earlier under fleece in mild south-coast gardens. Chit your tubers from late January by standing them in a cool light place to sprout. First earlies crop from late June; main-crops from August to October. Potatoes are frost-tender on the foliage (RHS H1c) so emerging shoots need earthing up or fleecing if a late frost is forecast. They want deep loose soil — fork it over and rake in compost before planting. Earlies in pots and bags suit small gardens; main-crops want a proper bed. Blight is the constant threat from July onwards — grow Sarpo varieties outdoors if you can't get under cover.

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