Crop Spotlight: Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the UK’s most popular crops, and for good reason; they’re versatile in the kitchen, productive in the garden, and rewarding to grow. Whether you’re after tender new potatoes in early summer or heavy yields of maincrop spuds for storage, there’s a variety and growing method to suit every plot.

When to Plant

Earlies: Chit seed potatoes February–March, then plant March–April. These give the first harvests of the season.
Maincrop: Plant seed potatoes in April for larger, later harvests that store well through winter.

How to Grow

Space seed potatoes 30cm apart in rows. Use 60cm between rows for earlies and 75cm for maincrop.
Earth up soil around shoots as they grow to protect developing tubers from light.
Keep well-watered, especially during dry weather, to prevent scab and ensure healthy yields.

Harvesting

Earlies: Ready in June–July, about 10–12 weeks after planting. Harvest when flowers open or buds drop. Lift carefully to avoid bruising.
Maincrop: Harvest in August–September once the foliage dies back. Dry tubers thoroughly before storing in a cool, dark place. Properly cured maincrop potatoes can last for months.

Polytunnel Growing Tips

A polytunnel allows much earlier planting of earlies in February–March, giving harvests as early as May.
Tunnels also provide frost protection for tender shoots in spring.
Maincrop potatoes benefit from polytunnel protection against blight, as reduced leaf wetness lowers disease risk.
Ventilation is important to prevent excess humidity and rot.

Quick Tips Recap

Plant: Feb–Mar (earlies, under cover), Mar–Apr (earlies outdoors), Apr (maincrop)
Spacing: 30cm between plants; 60–75cm between rows
Harvest: Jun–Jul (earlies), Aug–Sep (maincrop)
Polytunnel advantage: Much earlier harvests, frost protection, reduced blight risk