Potato crop sheet

Activity

Potato cultivars are grouped according to season; earlies, second earlies and maincrop. The difference between them is the number of days it takes for the potatoes to mature.

Learning objectives

Learn what plants need to grow
Choose from a selection of tools to complete the task

Preparation

Specially prepared seed potatoes can be purchased from garden shops from January onwards.
To ‘chit’ (or sprout) them, place them upright on a tray in a cool, not frosty, light place. When the shoots are 2.5cm plant them outside.

Equipment needed

Rake or hand cultivator
Trowel or bulb planter
Measuring stick
Chitted seed potatoes (check variety for type)
Enviromesh or horticultural fleece
Label and pencil
A hoe

Step by step

Potatoes are ideal to grow in large tubs or baskets. Plant low and keep covering with soil/ compost as the plant grows. They can also be grown conventionally in vegetable beds.
Make holes along a measuring stick about 8-15cm deep and 35cm apart in the row. You can use a trowel or bulb planter to do this. If you are growing in a bag, space the potatoes far apart.
Plant the potatoes at the bottom of the holes with the shoots pointing upwards, cover with soil.
If planting in a vegetable bed, the next row should be 75cm apart to allow for ‘earthing’ up which stops any green potatoes developing. ‘Earthing up’ is a term where the soil is heaped up over the emerging potato plant. A hoe is the best tool for this job if you are planting in beds.
Potatoes need watering every 10-14 days during dry periods. Potatoes flower and then the foliage begins to die back. This is when the potatoes or tubers are ready to lift.
Potatoes take a set number of days to mature; first earlies take 100-110 days second earlies take 110-120 days, and main crop take 125-140 days. Lift potatoes very carefully, as using a garden fork can damage them.

Hints & tips

Potatoes are traditionally planted on Good Friday. In general the further north you are, the later you plant your potatoes.

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