Useful Information

Fruit & Vegetable Growing

Potatoes

Chitting potatoes (encouraging the seed to sprout before planting) can lead to an earlier harvest than planting directly into the ground.  To do this, place the seed potatoes into an open container such as an egg box, in a light and airy position, protected from frost.  The potatoes will grow shoots.

Planting-out can take place as soon as the risk of frost has passed in your area (March-May).  Dig over and cultivate the ground to be planted, removing any weeds.  Raise shallow ridges 60cm / 24in apart and plant the seed potatoes into the ridge 12cm / 5in deep and 22cm / 9in apart.  If the potatoes have been chitted, take care not to damage the chits (shoots) as you plant.  When the plants reach approx 20cm / 8in tall, draw the earth up to the sides of the plant (covering the lower leaves).  This will prevent light from reaching the newly forming potatoes and encourage a higher yield.  Watering regularly will improve the yield and discourage scab from forming.