The Ultimate Guide to Growing Potatoes
Looking to grow your own delicious potatoes this year? You’re in luck! At Grimsby Garden Centre, we’ve just stocked up on a fantastic selection of seed potatoes, all ready for you to plant and nurture into a bountiful harvest.
Whether you’re after buttery new potatoes or hearty spuds for roasting, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about when and how to plant your seed potatoes.
Step 1: Choose the right potato for you
We stock a wide variety of seed potatoes to suit every gardener. Here are the varieties we currently have in stock and what they’re best for.
First Earlies
Ready the quickest! Perfect for boiling and salads.
When to plant: Late February to mid-March
When to harvest: 10-12 weeks after planting (May-June)
Varieties:
- Accord
- Casablanca
- Duke of York
- Lady Christl
- Pentland Javelin
- Rocket
- Swift
Second Earlies
Slightly later, but just as tasty! Ideal for salads and sides.
When to plant: Mid-March to late April
When to harvest: 13-15 weeks after planting (June-July)
Varieties:
- Charlotte
- Kestrel
- Marfona
- Nadine
- Wilja
Maincrop
The slow and steady growers. Best for roasting, mashing, and storing.
When to plant: Late March to late April
When to harvest: 16-20 weeks after planting (July-September)
Varieties:
- Caledonian Pearl
- Red Duke of York
- Winston
- Estima
- Saxon
- Nicola
- Sharpe’s Express
- Ulster Prince
- Francis
- Cara
Remember, potatoes love sunshine and well-draining soil, so pick your spot carefully. If you’re worried about frost, start them off in pots or bags under cover.
Seed potatoes in stock now
Step 2: Chit your seed potatoes
Chitting simply means encouraging your seed potatoes to sprout before planting. Place your spuds in a cool, light space (like a windowsill) with the “eyes” facing up. After a few weeks, they’ll develop small shoots, giving them a head start when planted.
Step 3: Planting your potatoes
Here’s how to plant your seed potatoes for the best results:
- First Earlies: Plant 10-15cm deep and 30cm apart. Keep rows 60cm apart.
- Second Earlies: Plant 10-15cm deep and 35-40cm apart. Rows should be 60cm apart.
- Maincrop: Plant 15-20cm deep and 45cm apart. Leave 75cm between rows.
Start “earthing up” (covering the shoots with soil) once they’re about 10cm tall. This protects the growing potatoes from light and frost.
Step 4: Care for your crop
Growing potatoes is straightforward, but a little care goes a long way:
- Fertiliser: Use a balanced potato fertiliser or one rich in potassium to encourage healthy growth.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially when the plants start to flower. Avoid waterlogging.
- Pests and diseases: Watch out for slugs, aphids, and potato blight. Remove any affected leaves and consider organic pest control methods.
Step 5: Harvesting your potatoes
When it’s time to harvest, choose a dry day. Gently lift your potatoes with a garden fork and leave them on the soil for a few hours to harden their skins. Store them in a cool, dark place to enjoy your homegrown spuds for months to come.
- First Earlies and Second Earlies: Harvest as soon as the plants flower and the potatoes are a good size.
- Maincrop: Wait until the foliage has fully died back for maximum size and storage potential.
Get growing with Grimsby Garden Centre
Ready to dig in? Our seed potatoes are just £4.49 for a 2kg bag. Pop into Grimsby Garden Centre and pick yours today. If you need any advice or tools, our friendly team is always here to help. Let’s make this year’s potato harvest the best one yet!
