Sow indoors
—
Sow direct
—
Plant out
March – May
Harvest
June – October
Days to maturity
70–120 days
Position
Full sun
Frost sensitive
Yes
Min soil temp
7°C
Sowing and planting calendar
| Method | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start chitting | January | February | Place seed potatoes in egg boxes, eye end up, in a light frost-free place. |
| Plant earlies | Mid March | April | Under fleece if frost risk remains. South England first. |
| Plant main crop | April | May | When soil is above 7°C and frost risk has passed. |
| Harvest earlies | June | July | When plants flower or tops begin to die back. |
| Harvest main crop | August | October | Leave in ground until tops die back for storage varieties. |
Regional variation: In Scotland, delay planting until late April or May. In the south, earlies can go in under fleece from mid-March. Always protect emerging shoots from late frosts.
Growing tips
Chit your seed potatoes
Chitting means allowing seed potatoes to sprout before planting. Stand them eye end up in a cool, light, frost-free place from January. This gives a 2–3 week head start.
Earth up as plants grow
Draw soil up around stems as they emerge, covering all but the top few leaves. This prevents tubers going green, extends the cropping area, and protects from late frosts.
Choose the right type
First earlies (e.g. Rocket, Arran Pilot) are ready in 10–12 weeks and escape blight. Main crop (e.g. Desiree, King Edward) yield most heavily but take 15–20 weeks.
Water during tuber formation
Consistent watering when plants are in flower is critical — this is when tubers are swelling. Irregular watering causes hollow heart and scab.
Common problems
Potato blight
ACT NOWDark, water-soaked patches on leaves in warm, humid conditions from July onwards. Spreads rapidly and can destroy a crop in days.
Fix: Remove and destroy affected tops immediately. Harvest tubers if blight is severe. Choose resistant varieties like Sarpo Mira. Monitor blight forecasts from July.
Slugs
Slugs tunnel into tubers, particularly in heavy, wet soils in late summer.
Fix: Harvest early to avoid peak slug season. Use nematodes in late July. Grow in raised beds with grit around plants.
Wireworm
Thin tunnels through tubers — larvae of click beetles, most common on newly broken ground.
Fix: Avoid growing potatoes on land recently converted from grass. Harvest as early as possible.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant potatoes in the UK?
First earlies from mid-March, main crop from April to May when soil is above 7°C. Chit seed potatoes from January.
Do I need to chit potatoes?
Not strictly necessary, but chitting gives a 2–3 week head start and stronger plants. Particularly worthwhile for early varieties.
How do I know when potatoes are ready?
Earlies are ready when plants flower. Main crop when tops die back. Test by digging one plant — if skins rub off easily, they need more time.
Related guides
Keep track of your potatoes in Vercro
Add your potatoes to a bed and each morning Today shows the jobs that matter for them, from how far along they are and your local forecast, including a blight look-out when conditions suit it.
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