Potatoes are one of the most popular and versatile crops to grow in UK gardens. From creamy new potatoes to floury bakers and colourful heritage types, they are a staple in countless dishes and a reliable source of nutrition. Growing potatoes at home is highly rewarding because they are easy to plant, productive and suitable for gardens of all sizes. Even those with limited outdoor space can grow them successfully in bags, barrels or containers. Learning how to plant potatoes properly is the first step towards producing heavy yields and enjoying one of the most satisfying crops a gardener can harvest.
Understanding potato plants
Potatoes, or Solanum tuberosum, belong to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which also includes tomatoes, peppers and aubergines. Unlike these crops, potatoes are grown for their underground tubers, which store starch and nutrients. Above ground, the potato plant produces leafy stems and sometimes small white, pink or purple flowers. Below the surface, stolons develop, and tubers form at their tips. These are the edible potatoes we harvest. Potatoes are not grown from true seed in most home gardens but from seed potatoes, which are small tubers specifically produced for planting.
Types of potatoes
Potatoes are classified according to when they mature. First early potatoes, often called new potatoes, are planted in early spring and harvested young, producing tender, waxy tubers with a delicate flavour. Second earlies mature a little later, offering a slightly larger harvest. Maincrop potatoes take the longest to grow but yield larger tubers that can be stored through winter. Within these categories, varieties differ in flavour, texture and culinary use. Choosing a mix of types ensures a continuous harvest and a range of potatoes suitable for boiling, roasting, mashing and baking.
Chitting potatoes
Before planting, seed potatoes are often chitted, a process that encourages shoots to develop from the eyes of the tuber. To chit potatoes, place them in a light, cool but frost free room, such as a windowsill or porch, with the end that has the most eyes facing upwards. After two to four weeks, sturdy green shoots emerge, making the potatoes ready for planting. Chitting is not essential but it gives plants a head start and results in an earlier and often more reliable crop.
When to plant potatoes
In the UK, potatoes are planted from March to May depending on the variety and the local climate. First earlies are usually planted in March, second earlies in April and maincrop potatoes from April into May. The soil must be workable and free from frost before planting, as potatoes are sensitive to cold. Frost protection may be necessary for young shoots, especially if a late frost is expected. Staggering the planting of different types allows for harvests from early summer through to autumn.
Preparing the soil
Potatoes prefer fertile, well drained soil that is free of stones, which can cause misshapen tubers. Light, sandy loam soils are ideal, but clay soils can be improved with compost or well rotted manure. Potatoes thrive in soil enriched with organic matter, as they are heavy feeders. The ground should be dug over to a depth of at least twenty five centimetres, removing weeds and incorporating compost. Crop rotation is important, as growing potatoes in the same place each year increases the risk of pests and diseases, particularly potato blight.
How to plant potatoes in the ground
Potatoes are usually planted in trenches or individual holes. Dig trenches about ten to fifteen centimetres deep and place seed potatoes in them with the shoots facing upwards. Space first and second earlies about thirty centimetres apart, with rows sixty centimetres apart. Maincrop potatoes should be spaced forty centimetres apart in rows seventy five centimetres apart to accommodate their larger size. Cover with soil and water lightly. As the plants grow, earth is gradually drawn up around the stems, a process called earthing up, which protects tubers from light and increases the yield.
Growing potatoes in containers
For those with limited space, potatoes can be grown very successfully in bags, barrels or large pots. Place about ten centimetres of compost in the bottom of the container, position three or four seed potatoes on the surface, and cover with more compost. As shoots appear, continue to cover them with layers of compost until the container is full. This mimics earthing up and allows tubers to develop along the buried stems. Container grown potatoes require regular watering and feeding, but they produce excellent crops and are easy to harvest.
Watering and feeding potatoes
Potatoes need consistent moisture, particularly once tubers start forming. Irregular watering can lead to problems such as scab or split tubers. Water deeply during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Mulching with organic matter helps retain moisture. Potatoes benefit from feeding with a fertiliser high in potassium, which encourages tuber development. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which produces leafy growth at the expense of tubers. A balanced approach ensures both healthy foliage and good yields.
Earthing up potatoes
Earthing up is a crucial part of growing potatoes. As shoots reach about twenty centimetres in height, draw soil up around the stems to form ridges. This protects developing tubers from light, which causes them to turn green and become inedible. Earthing up also supports the stems and improves drainage around the plant. The process should be repeated several times as the plants grow, building ridges of soil until they are about twenty centimetres high. In container growing, this is achieved by adding more compost in layers.
Protecting potatoes from frost
Young potato shoots are highly vulnerable to frost. Covering them with fleece, cloches or a layer of soil helps protect against damage. If shoots are blackened by frost, the plant may recover by sending up new growth, but yields will be reduced. Monitoring weather forecasts and taking precautionary measures is essential in the early stages of growth.
Pests and diseases
Potatoes are prone to certain pests and diseases. Potato blight is the most serious, particularly in damp summers, causing leaves to rot and tubers to decay. Choosing resistant varieties and practising crop rotation help reduce risk. Potato scab causes rough patches on the skin of tubers but does not affect edibility. Wireworms and slugs can also damage tubers underground. Regular inspection and good cultivation practices help minimise problems.
Harvesting potatoes
The time of harvest depends on the variety. First earlies are ready about ten weeks after planting when the flowers open or the buds drop. Second earlies follow at around thirteen weeks, while maincrop potatoes are harvested after fifteen to twenty weeks when the foliage begins to die back. To harvest, carefully lift the plants with a fork, taking care not to damage the tubers. First and second earlies are best eaten fresh, while maincrops can be stored for months if cured and kept in a cool, dark place.
Storing potatoes
After harvesting maincrop potatoes, allow them to dry on the soil surface for a few hours, then move them to a dark, well ventilated space to cure for about two weeks. This toughens the skins, making them suitable for storage. Store potatoes in hessian sacks or paper bags in a cool, frost free environment. Avoid storing them in plastic bags, as lack of ventilation encourages rot. With proper storage, maincrop potatoes can last throughout winter, providing a reliable food source.
Common mistakes to avoid
Planting seed potatoes in cold, wet soil often leads to rotting. Failing to earth up properly exposes tubers to light, turning them green and toxic. Overwatering or underwatering causes poor quality tubers, while neglecting crop rotation increases the risk of disease. Storing damaged or damp potatoes often results in rot. Avoiding these common errors ensures a healthy and productive potato crop.
Why grow potatoes at home
Growing potatoes at home offers many advantages. Freshly harvested potatoes have a flavour and texture far superior to shop bought ones. Home growing also allows you to try unusual heritage varieties not commonly available in supermarkets. Potatoes are versatile in the kitchen, forming the basis of countless dishes from chips and roast potatoes to soups and stews. They are also highly productive, yielding a significant harvest from a relatively small space. For both novice and experienced gardeners, potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops.
Conclusion
So, how do you plant potatoes? It begins with choosing the right variety, chitting seed potatoes for a head start and planting them in well prepared soil or containers. Earthing up, consistent watering and protection from frost are essential steps, while careful harvesting and storage ensure months of delicious potatoes. With their ease of cultivation, high yields and culinary versatility, potatoes remain one of the most valuable crops for UK gardens. Planting them is straightforward, and with attention to a few key details, the rewards are plentiful and long lasting.
