Growing Seed Potatoes

Quick Guide to Planting Seed Potatoes

Growing your own potatoes starts with a few key steps to ensure a bountiful, early harvest.

The Pre-Planting Prep (Chitting)

• Goal: Encourage strong sprouts (chits) before planting for an earlier crop.
• Time: Start 4–6 weeks before planting outdoors.
• Method: Place seed potatoes in shallow trays (rose end/most eyes up) in a cool, bright, and frost-free location.
• Result: Plant when chits are short, sturdy, and about 2–3 cm long.

Planting in the Ground

Potatoes need well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost or manure, and plenty of sun.

• When: Plant after the danger of a hard frost has passed.
• Depth: Dig a trench about 15 cm (6 inches) deep.
• Spacing:
  • Early Varieties: 30cm apart.
  • Maincrop Varieties: 45cm apart.
• Action: Place the potatoes with the chits pointing upwards, then carefully fill the trench with soil.

Earthing Up, Protecting Your Crop

This crucial step prevents developing potatoes from turning green (and inedible) by keeping them covered.

• When: Start when the shoots reach about 20 cm (8 inches) high.
• Method: Draw soil up from the sides to form a protective mound around the stems, covering all but the top few leaves.
• Repeat: Continue to repeat the mounding process every few weeks until the plant is established

Basic Care

• Watering: Water consistently, especially once the plants begin to flower, as this is when the tubers are growing fastest.
• Containers: If space is limited, grow potatoes successfully in large bags or containers using a mix of soil and compost.