Vegetables/Easy
Potatoes
Solanum tuberosum
Nothing beats the taste of a freshly dug new potato. First earlies (like Charlotte) are ready in 10 weeks, second earlies in 13, and maincrop varieties (like Maris Piper) in 20 — plant a mix for a rolling harvest from June to October.
Chit seed potatoes in a light, cool room for 4–6 weeks before planting so they have short, stubby sprouts. Earth up (mound soil over the shoots) as they grow — this prevents tubers turning green and increases yield.
Year at a glance
Common problems
Brown patches spreading on leaves and stems
Late blight — remove and burn affected foliage immediately; harvest tubers straight away.
Green patches on the tuber skin
Tubers exposed to light. Earth up shoots regularly and cut away green flesh (it's toxic) before eating.
Small, deformed tubers
Drought at flowering, or overcrowded plants. Water deeply once flowers open and space seed potatoes 30 cm apart.
Questions, answered
Do I need to chit potatoes?+
First and second earlies benefit clearly; maincrop varieties less so. Stand tubers in an egg tray in a bright, cool room for 4–6 weeks before planting.
When do I harvest new potatoes?+
As soon as the plants flower — that's typically 10–13 weeks after planting for earlies.
Can I grow potatoes in a bag?+
Yes — a 40L potato bag with 3 seed potatoes yields around 1.5 kg. Water often and earth up as shoots grow.