Here’s a list of the key elements to producing a good potato crop from either containers or open ground;
SOIL AND POSITION In beds, potatoes need deep, fertile soil with a PH of 5-6. In planters or containers, use a mix of rotted compost, manure and good garden soil and place in a sheltered, sunny position. WHEN TO PLANT First early potato varieties can be planted in February and all other types from March onwards. Tubers should not be planted any later than late May. Many gardeners like to ‘chit’, or sprout, their potatoes before planting – place the tubers in a cool frost free place with natural light until the chits reach about 2.5cm (1”) in length.
PLANTING DEPTH
10 - 15cm – leave room to earth up as potatoes develop, as exposure to sunlight will turn new tubers green and poisonous. Simply draw soil up around the stem as it grows, or add around 10cm of compost when the plants are around 15cm tall. Plant between 3 and 5 tubers per planter or container, depending on the size of the
FERTILISER
Apply a high potash fertiliser either when, or shortly after, planting and ensure the potato tubers do not come into direct contact with the fertiliser granules.
WATER
Heavy watering when the new tubers reach the size of marbles should result in a higher yield. It’s especially important to make sure the soil in planters and containers is kept moist as it can very quickly dry out.
HARVESTING AND STORAGE
Depending on the variety, potatoes take the following time to reach maturity;
Type
Plant to Harvest Time
First Early
10 weeks
Second Early
13 weeks
Early Maincrop
15 weeks
Late Maincrop
20 weeks
Potatoes which are left in the soil longer than the above periods will become larger, but are also more susceptible to slug attack. Dig up the potatoes in dry conditions, leave on the soil to dry and then store in boxes or Hessian sacks, NOT polythene – this causes the stored tubers to rot.
This is by no means a definitive account of how to grow potatoes, but will hopefully prove to be of help!
