Potato
Let seed potatoes sprout before planting. Plant in rows and cover the stems with soil as they grow. Water well in summer.
Things to look out for
- Pile soil around stems so potatoes don’t turn green in the light
- In warm, wet spells watch for leaf disease and remove poorly leaves
- Water well while potatoes are forming underground
What to sow
Before planting, let seed potatoes sprout on a bright windowsill for 2–4 weeks.
UK window: Feb–Mar (chit)
What to plant out
Plant in long rows about a hand deep, with space between plants and rows. When stems are 10–15 cm tall, pile soil around them so the potatoes stay covered.
UK window: Mar–Apr
How to care
Keep the soil moist, especially when potatoes are growing underground. Keep piling soil around stems to stop light reaching the potatoes. Watch for leaf disease in warm, wet weather.
When to harvest
Earlies: start digging from flowering (about 10–12 weeks after planting). Maincrop: wait until leaves go yellow and dry, then dig up and let potatoes dry before storing.
UK window: Jun–Oct