Get ready to plant the first of this season’s potatoes, starting by stocking up on seed potatoes from the mouthwatering selection now on sale at our garden centre here in Chorley. You can risk planting fast-growing new (first early) potatoes from mid-March; slower-maturing second earlies and maincrops go in from early to mid-April.
Seed potatoes, particularly earlies and second earlies, benefit from 'chitting' prior to being planted.This process encourages strong shoots to sprout over several weeks to encourage faster growth and heavier crops once they in the ground.
From late January/ February, ‘chit’ your seed potatoes by setting them out in seed trays, shallow boxes or empty egg cartons in a cool, bright, frost free position (10C/ 50F) to allow them to sprout. You will notice that the immature 'chits' are all at one end (called the rose end). Place the rose end upwards. Sturdy 'chits' will form and should attain up to 25mm in length.
Save yourself some work – and backache – by trying no-dig potato growing this year. It works in the opposite way from conventional spud growing, as you start from the ground and work your way up.
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Planting times are largely dependent on weather, soil conditions and regional variations but the table above is a general guide on when to plant potatoes. Begin by hoeing the soil, forking out perennial weeds, then spread well-rotted manure or compost over the surface. Dig a trench to a depth of about 4" and place the seed potatoes into the trench with the rose end facing upwards. Fill the trench with soil to cover the potatoes. An application of potato fertiliser can be scattered along the top of the trench if required.
Happy Potato Planting!!