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.

Potato — Grow

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

vegetable☀️ full-sun🪴 sandy loam📏 medium🌡️ RHS H1c

📋Quick Facts

Height

0.6-0.8m

Spread

0.3-0.4m

Water

💧💧 Average watering

Hardiness

Zone 2-11

About

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.

Top tip

Earth up stems as they grow, water in dry spells, and harvest once flowers fade or tops yellow.

Also known as: Aardappel, Patata, Ziemniak, Solanum tuberosum, Pomme de terre, Potato

How to grow potato

1
Chit your seed potatoes
Chit from late January to February. Stand seed tubers in egg boxes or trays in a cool, light, frost-free place. Shoots should be 2 cm long and dark green when you plant.
2
Prepare the soil
Fork over a sunny bed in late winter and rake in well-rotted compost. Potatoes want deep, loose, weed-free soil. Don't add lime — they prefer slightly acidic conditions.
3
Plant
First earlies from mid-March in the south, late March in the Midlands, early April in the north. Set tubers 30 cm apart, 12 cm deep, rows 60 cm apart for earlies; 75 cm apart for main-crop. Shoots facing up.
4
Earth up
When shoots reach 20 cm, draw soil up the stems with a hoe so only the top leaves show. Repeat every fortnight until the foliage closes the row. Earthing up gives more tubers and stops them turning green.
5
Water
Water deeply once flowering begins. A dry July gives a smaller crop and increases scab. Mulch around the base after the last earthing-up to hold moisture.
6
Lift
Earlies are ready about 12 weeks after planting, when the plants flower. Main-crops are ready when foliage yellows and dies down, usually August to October. Lift gently with a fork from the side of the row.
7
Watch for blight
Foliage browning fast in warm humid weather means blight. Cut the haulm (stems) at ground level immediately to stop the disease reaching the tubers. Leave tubers in the ground for two weeks for spores to die off, then lift. Sarpo varieties are blight-resistant.

Common questions

Pest Resilience

2/5 — Somewhat vulnerable

Blight is the main risk in wet summers; also slug damage and wireworm.

Companion Planting

Grows well with

Broad bean Cabbage

Keep apart from

Courgette Cucumber Pumpkin Squash winter Tomato

Visual Characteristics

Fruits

Yes

Harvest: Late summer to autumn / fall

🍳

Culinary

Culinary Use

Roasted, mashed, chips, baked, gratin, gnocchi, salads, soup

The potato year in your garden

Dispatching imaginary bots to check your garden out...

What to do now

How to Propagate

🌱Tuber

Moderate

This plant produces viable seeds for propagation

Hardiness Zones

H1a (tender)H7 (very hardy)

H1a

H1b

H1c

RHS H1c

USDA 10–11 equivalent

Potato

Potato

📋Quick Facts

About

How to grow potato

Common questions

Pest Resilience

Companion Planting

Visual Characteristics

The potato year in your garden

How to Propagate

Hardiness Zones

Names in Other Languages(5)