How to chit seed potatoes, advice on planting out and container growing
Why not grow your own potatoes and taste the difference, you will be surprised how good they taste and save money at the same time. Now is the time to select your seed potatoes. There are many varieties to choose from ranging from first early, second early and main crop varieties.
To chit your seed potatoes place in an open egg box or paper lined seed tray, the egg box will support the seed potatoes. Place the seed potatoes up on end with the tiny buds facing upwards to sprout. Place the box in a light frost free room for around six weeks or until strong shoots appear 3-4cm in length. They are now ready to be planted out. Potatoes can be grown in most soil types. If you are planting in ground that hasn’t been used for a while, make sure you clear the area of weeds and heavy stones. The soil should be open, well drained and moisture retentive. Make a flat bottomed trench and cover with a layer of well rotted garden compost. All potatoes should be planted at a depth of 12cm.
As the tubers grow they will produce haulms (stems and leaves) when they are 23cm high, earth the loose soil up around the stems continue to do this as the stems grow, to produce a flat topped ridge. Earthing up, is simply covering the stems with loose soil to avoid green potatoes that are poisonous. At this time it is important to water the crop as the tubers below ground are growing. Regularly weed between the rows as the crop grows.
Please follow the instructions on the suppliers’ packet for planting out First Earlies, Second Earlies and Main Crop as these may vary for specific varieties.
First Earlies
Here are some of the varieties: Pentland Javelin, Maris Bard, Sharpes Express, Foremost, Rocket, Casablanca. When harvesting wait until the flowers open, carefully remove the soil around a small part of the ridge to check on the size of the new potatoes. If they are not large enough then continue to earth up until ready. If you decide to grow first earlies you will have a crop of new potatoes around June or July.
Second Earlies
Here are some of the varieties: British Queen, Nadine, Wilja, Estima, Stroma, Kestrel, Jazzy. Second earlies can be lifted July to August.
Main Crop
These are the following: King Edward, Desiree, Stemstar, Cara, Maris Piper. When harvesting wait until the foliage turns yellow and starts to die back. Allow potatoes to dry a few hours store in a cool dry, dark, frost free place. Main crop varieties can be lifted in August to use. Potatoes for storage should be harvested in September or early October.
Container Growing – Earlies
If you are short of space why not use a container or pot. The pot or container should be large enough to hold a 50 litre bag of multi-purpose compost. The pot or container should have holes in the base to allow for drainage. Add 10cm of compost to the bottom of the pot or container. Place 2 to 3 seed potatoes into the bottom of the pot or container, cover with 10cm of compost and water. When the shoots have grown about 8cm above the compost, cover with another 10cm of compost, continue to do this, to top up with compost as the seed potatoes grow up to the top of the pot. Let the plant grow and water regularly. Harvest the potatoes when the plants start to flower. If you have any green potatoes throw these away as these are poisonous.
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