Potatoes are one of the most versatile and widely enjoyed vegetables in the UK. They are used in countless recipes, from the classic roast potato to comforting mash and crispy chips. For gardeners, they are also one of the most rewarding crops to grow at home. The process of growing a potato plant from a potato is straightforward and highly satisfying, especially when you see your first harvest of tubers lifted from the soil. Potatoes do not grow from seeds like many other plants but from other potatoes. By planting a potato with growing eyes or sprouts, you can develop a new plant that produces a whole crop. With some knowledge, planning and care, you can enjoy a successful potato harvest in your garden, allotment or even in containers.
Understanding how potatoes grow
The potato is not a root but a tuber, which is an underground storage organ. When a potato plant grows, it sends out stems and leaves above ground to capture sunlight. Below ground, the plant develops a network of roots and stolons, which are special underground stems. At the ends of these stolons, new tubers form and grow, storing energy for the plant. When you plant a potato, the eyes or buds on its surface develop into shoots. These shoots grow into stems and leaves, while underground they produce the stolons that eventually become the tubers you will harvest.
Choosing the right potato
The type of potato you choose to plant has a big impact on the outcome. In the UK, gardeners often use seed potatoes, which are small potatoes certified as disease free and intended for planting. While it is possible to grow potatoes from shop bought tubers, these are not guaranteed to be free from disease, and they may have been treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting. For the best results, certified seed potatoes are recommended. There are many varieties, including first earlies, second earlies and maincrop types. First earlies mature quickly and are harvested as new potatoes, while maincrops take longer but produce larger tubers that store well.
Preparing potatoes for planting
Before planting, seed potatoes are usually chitted. Chitting is the process of encouraging sprouts to form before they go into the soil. This is done by placing the potatoes in a cool, bright but frost free location, such as a windowsill or unheated conservatory, with the eyes facing upwards. Over several weeks, sturdy green shoots develop. Chitting gives potatoes a head start, meaning they establish more quickly once planted and produce an earlier harvest. While not strictly necessary, it is a widely practised method that improves results.
When to plant potatoes
Timing is important when growing potatoes. In the UK, first early potatoes are usually planted in March, second earlies in April and maincrops in late April to early May. The soil should not be frozen or waterlogged, as potatoes do not grow well in cold, wet conditions. A good sign that it is time to plant is when the soil is workable and the risk of frost is minimal. For gardeners in colder regions, protecting young shoots with fleece may be necessary if late frosts occur.
Preparing the soil
Potatoes prefer fertile, well drained soil that is free from stones. The soil should be dug over before planting, with compost or well rotted manure added to enrich it. Potatoes grow best in slightly acidic soil, which helps prevent scab, a common disease. The soil should be loosened to allow tubers to swell freely. Preparing the soil in advance gives your potatoes the best possible start.
Planting potatoes in the ground
To plant potatoes in open ground, dig a trench about ten to fifteen centimetres deep. Place the chitted seed potatoes in the trench with the shoots pointing upwards, spacing them about thirty centimetres apart for first earlies and forty centimetres apart for maincrops. Cover the potatoes with soil and water lightly. As the plants grow and shoots appear above ground, the soil should be drawn up around them in a process called earthing up. This encourages more tubers to form underground and prevents them from being exposed to light, which causes them to turn green and become inedible.
Growing potatoes in containers
For those with limited space, potatoes can also be grown successfully in containers, grow bags or even large buckets with drainage holes. The principle is the same as growing in the ground. Place a layer of compost in the bottom of the container, add your seed potatoes and cover with more compost. As the plants grow, keep adding compost around the stems until the container is nearly full. Container growing has the advantage of being easy to manage and harvest, and it is particularly popular in urban gardens or patios.
Watering and feeding
Potatoes require consistent moisture to grow well, especially during the stage when tubers are forming. Dry conditions can lead to small or misshapen tubers, while overwatering can cause rot. The key is to water regularly, particularly in dry spells, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Potatoes also benefit from feeding. A balanced fertiliser high in potassium can be applied to encourage strong tuber development. Feeding should begin once the plants are established and continue through the growing season.
Managing pests and diseases
Potatoes are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. One of the most feared is potato blight, a fungal disease that spreads rapidly in warm, damp conditions and can devastate crops. Choosing blight resistant varieties helps reduce the risk. Regularly removing yellowing leaves and avoiding overcrowding improves air circulation and reduces the likelihood of blight taking hold. Pests such as slugs and wireworms can also damage tubers. Using barriers, traps or encouraging natural predators can help manage these problems. Rotation is another key strategy, as growing potatoes in the same soil year after year increases the risk of disease.
Harvesting potatoes
Harvest time depends on the type of potato you have planted. First earlies are ready to harvest around ten to twelve weeks after planting, usually in June or July. These should be lifted gently with a fork when the flowers appear. They are small, tender and delicious when eaten fresh. Maincrops take longer, around twenty weeks, and are harvested in late summer to early autumn. They can be left in the ground until the foliage has died back, which allows the skins to harden for better storage. Carefully lifting them with a fork ensures you avoid damaging the tubers.
Storing potatoes
Once harvested, potatoes should be stored correctly to keep them in good condition. First earlies are best eaten fresh, as they do not store well. Maincrop potatoes can be stored for several months if kept in a cool, dark and well ventilated place. They should be placed in paper or hessian sacks, never in plastic bags, as plastic traps moisture and encourages rot. Any damaged or green potatoes should be removed before storage. Checking stored potatoes regularly helps prevent problems from spreading.
Common mistakes when growing potatoes
Many beginners make mistakes such as planting too early in cold soil, which slows growth, or failing to earth up, which results in green tubers. Overwatering is another common issue, as is planting potatoes too close together, which restricts growth and encourages disease. By avoiding these errors and following basic guidelines, even first-time growers can achieve excellent results.
The satisfaction of homegrown potatoes
Few gardening experiences match the joy of harvesting homegrown potatoes. There is a certain magic in digging into the soil and unearthing fresh tubers, especially when grown from something as simple as a single potato. Not only do homegrown potatoes taste better, but they also provide a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to the food on your plate. Whether grown in a large garden, an allotment or a small container on a balcony, potatoes reward your effort generously.
Conclusion
So, how do you grow a potato plant from a potato? The process begins with choosing the right seed potatoes, preparing them by chitting and planting them in well prepared soil or containers. With proper watering, feeding, earthing up and vigilance against pests and diseases, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest. Harvesting at the right time and storing potatoes correctly extends their usefulness well beyond the growing season. Growing potatoes is a tradition enjoyed by many gardeners across the UK, and with a little care and attention, it can become a rewarding part of your gardening year.
