Planting

We recommend that you buy seed potatoes in January or February. The best size to buy is between 1 to 2 oz. However, the yield is not greatly affected by the size of potato planted, and all sizes offered by us, including the smallest, will give good results.

If you buy the potatoes before the recommended planting time, set them out in trays (containing 1 inch (2.5cm) of dry peat if preferred) with the end of the potato with most eyes at the top, and keep in a cool, light, frost-free position until it is time to plant. Alternatively you can buy potatoes at planting time and plant them straight away (after knocking off any long white shoots) but this will reduce the yield and give a later crop, especially for earlies.

Recommended planting times:

EARLIES from late March, 12 inches (30cm) between potatoes, 24 inches (60cm) between rows and 5 inches (13cm) deep.

MAINCROP from Mid-April, 15 inches (38cm) between potatoes, 30 inches (76cm) between rows and 5 inches (13cm) deep.

Cover with soil and make a low ridge.

Care

Protect shoots from frost if necessary by covering with a protective material such as dry straw. When plant is approximately 6 inches (15cm) high, draw loose soil up against stems to approximately 5 inches (13cm) high. Increase the height of the ridge by a further inch or two (3-5cm) when the plant has grown sufficiently. Water in dry weather.

Harvesting

FIRST EARLIES: June-July
SECOND EARLIES: July-August

When flowers are fully open, examine potatoes. They will be ready when they are the size of hen's eggs. To lift, insert fork well away from plant and ensure all tubers are lifted from soil.

MAIN CROP: August-October

Cut off foliage when it has turned brown and wait 10 days, then lift as above. To store, leave to dry for a few hours and place in boxes or bags in a dark frost free room.

This year we will be stocking over 30 varieties of seed potato - click here for details.