There is nothing tastier than homegrown potatoes. Whether you like them mashed, roasted, boiled or as chips, potatoes from your own garden can’t be beaten.
What I like most about growing potatoes is that you have a choice of varieties, which is much better than what you can get in a supermarket. I love to try new varieties in the hope of finding a gem.
Add to that that it’s very easy to grow potatoes, and you have a win-win situation. It’s one of those veggies I would recommend every newbie gardener give a go.
So we put together the most common questions about growing potatoes in the UK that will help new and existing gardeners.
What Types Of Potatoes Are There?
There are three types of potatoes to choose from:
- First earlies
- Second earlies
- Maincrop
Let’s look at each of these three types in more detail to see which ones are the best for you to grow.
First Earlies
As the name suggests, they are the first ones to plant out, generally in February/March. The potatoes you get from first early varieties are smaller, and they are called “new potatoes”. They are perfect for salads or just boiled.
The plants themselves are also smaller, which makes them ideal for small gardens or for growing in containers.
It takes around 10 weeks from planting them to harvesting. Which means you could be harvesting your tasty homegrown potatoes as early as June.
Because they are harvested so early in the season, it’s less likely that they suffer from potato blight, a fungal disease that could ruin your crop. This disease tends to occur from midsummer onwards, so after you have harvested.
First early varieties include: Rocket, Red Duke of York, Arran Pilot, Swift, and Colleen.
Second Earlies
They are also called “new potatoes” and are planted out in March, producing smaller to medium-sized tubers and smaller plants. They take slightly longer to grow, though, with harvesting in July.
Second earlies also tend to miss potato blight as they are harvested before the disease gets a proper hold.
This potato type works great for salads, boiled, and for chips.
Second early varieties include: Anya, Kestrel, Charlotte, Jazzy, and Vivaldi.
Maincrop
These are planted out in the latter half of April. They take longer to grow, with harvest starting from August through to October.
Maincrop potato plants are bigger and need more space, which makes growing them in containers a bit trickier. They produce large tubers and are ideal for mashing, roasting, baking, and making thick chips or wedges.
You can store them over winter too, which is great. Because they are in the ground longer, they are more susceptible to blight.
Maincrop varieties include: Maris Piper, King Edward, Rooster, Blue Annelise, Desiree, and Salad Blue.
Can You Grow Potatoes In Containers?
Absolutely! Potatoes are one of the great vegetables to grow in containers. I now only grow potatoes in pots, because it leaves me more space in my veggie beds for plants that don’t grow so well in containers.
While technically all three types of potatoes can be grown in pots or growbags, I would recommend growing first earlies or second earlies. They are smaller plants, so are more suited to container growing.
The key to growing potatoes in pots successfully is the right container. You want at least 40 litres to ensure there is enough space for the tubers.
These reusable growbags are great because they have an opening on the side, so you can check if your tubers are ready to harvest.
- ✿ 【Premium Durable Material】 The 3 Pack 10 Gallon (13.78 × 17.72 inches) grow bags are made up of high quality non-woven fabric with two sturdy handles, which ensure the planter bags can be reused.
- ✿ 【Clever Design】 The Potato grow bag comes with visualization window ability to quickly and accurately determine whether potatoes are ripe and harvest them directly without having to dig in clay soil!
- ✿ 【Easy to use & Clean】 Lightweight waterproof easy to hanging with handles, heavy duty, can be used in anywhere. When crops finished, split the bag open and recycle the soil or compost. Clean the grow bag, storage for next planting.
If you want to know more, read our guide about growing potatoes in containers.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Potatoes In The UK?
This depends on the type of potato and when you want to harvest. First earlies are planted in February/March for harvest from June.
Second earlies can be planted from March for harvest in July, and maincrops are planted from late April for harvest from August.
If you want homegrown potatoes for your Christmas dinner, you need to plant them at the end of August/early September for harvesting in December.
You can find out more in our Christmas potato growing guide.
Do You Have To Prepare The Soil For Potatoes?
Yes, potatoes grow best in fertile, well-drained soil. The best time to prepare the soil is January, while your seed potatoes are chitting.
Dig in a good amount of well-rotted manure, removing big stones while doing so. This is necessary because you don’t want the stones inhibiting the growth of your tubers.
If you are practising a no-dig garden, add a thick layer of mulch, compost, or well-rotted manure to your beds in autumn.
This will allow for the nutrients to sink further down, ready for when you plant out your potatoes.
If you grow your potatoes in containers, use good quality peat-free compost.
You can find out more in our complete guide about growing potatoes in the UK.
How many potatoes do you get per plant?
This is difficult to answer as it will depend on the potato variety, soil and weather conditions. But you can probably expect anywhere between 5 and 10 potatoes per plant.
You can increase your yield by feeding your potato plants once they have started flowering. I use this organic potato feed, it works well with all potatoes.
- For strong healthy growth
- Help increase the size of your potato harvests
- Recommended for use with other root vegetable crops
I would plant more rather than less and store any surplus potatoes in dry coarse sand or soil in a frost-free place, like a shed, and have more homegrown potatoes for the new year too!
And in case you are wondering how many plants you can get from one seed potato, the answer is it depends on how many eyes it has.
Don’t attempt to put too many seed potatoes into one container or bag though, as they will need room to grow tubers. If there isn’t enough space, they will grow less. So you are better off planting more bags to ensure you get a good yield.
How Often Do You Have To Water Potato Plants In The UK?
Potatoes are very thirsty plants, so need watering regularly. After all, potatoes consist of 79% water. (Decker and Ferruzzi, 2013)
Generally, it’s advised to keep the soil moist at all times, but not wet. That’s why well-draining soil is vital. I tend to water my potato plants every other day, unless it’s very hot and dry, then I water them every day.
If you overwater potato plants, the tubers might rot. If you grow them in pots or containers, keep in mind that the soil will dry out quicker. If you have growbags that open on the side, you can check on the moisture levels to make sure your potatoes get the right amount of water.
Do You Need To Feed Potato Plants?
While feeding isn’t essential, especially if you have prepared the soil well or use nutrient-rich compost, it can help increase the yield.
What you feed will depend on the growing stage of your potato plants. At the start, when the plant is growing foliage, you will need to feed it with nitrogen, which helps develop leaves.
These are necessary for the plant to photosynthesise, which will create food for the plant. Only when the plant has enough leaves will it start to produce tubers.
Every other week will be enough to ensure the plant has a good level of nitrogen to grow. But once the tubers start developing you want to stop feeding nitrogen, otherwise the plant fouses on growing leaves and your yield will be reduced. (Alva 2008)
This organic seaweed feed is great to start your potato plants off.
- Boosts Plant Growth & Crop Yields - Natural Seaweed fertiliser that enhances strong & healthy plant growth, promotes lush foliage, and increases crop yields for thriving plants.
- Nutrient Rich Plant Food - Enriched with iron and plant-based amino acids to nourish garden plants, improve soil health, and support plant & root development.
- Versatile & All Purpose - Ideal for lawns, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and all other garden plants. Perfect for any outdoor or indoor plants.
When the potato plant starts flowering, start feeding with a potash feed, as this is when they start developing tubers.
While it’s not vital to feed them with potash, doing so can increase your yield. (Khan et al., 2010)
This high potash feed is made for tomatoes, but will work just as well for potatoes.
- Easy to apply simply mix with water in a watering can according to instructions
- For tomatoes and flowering pot plants
- With seaweed extract for maximum growth and better crops
When Can You Harvest Potatoes In The UK?
This will depend on when you have planted them. Generally, this is how long it takes for potatoes to grow:
- First earlies: will be ready in 9 to 12 weeks, depending on the variety
- Second earlies: will be ready in 14 to 16 weeks, depending on the variety
- Maincrop: will be ready in 16 to 22 weeks, depending on the variety
As a basic rule, first earlies are harvested from June, second earlies from July, and maincrop from August.
How do I know my potatoes are ready to harvest?
The instructions on your seed potatoes will give you an indication on when to plant and when to harvest your potatoes. Generally, the following harvest schedule applies:
- First earlies: June and July
- Second earlies: July and August
- Maincrops: late August to October
If you want baby ‘new’ potatoes, mostly earlies, wait until the plant starts to flower, then you can harvest the potatoes in the top layers. Leave the ones further down for two weeks longer.
For maincrops, wait until the plants have stopped flowering and the leaves turn yellow and died down. Cut off the foliage at the stems and leave the tubers in the soil for a few days to allow the skin to harden.
If you are unsure, you can always carefully dig down and check the size of the potatoes. If the ones in the top layer are still very small, they will need longer.
What Pests And Diseases Can Potato Plants Suffer From In The UK?
Like most other vegetables, potato plants can suffer from pests and diseases. Knowing about them will help you to prevent them from ruining your crops.
Diseases
There are three main diseases to be aware of when growing potatoes in the UK:
- Potato blight – fungal disease that is most prevalent in warm and humid conditions – can strike from June onwards in the south of the UK, but later the further north you go – check BlightSpy to see if blight is likely in your area
- Potato scabs – fungal or bacterial disease depending on type – common scab can occur in dry soil, while powdery scab is most likely in wet soil – the right watering level is key to preventing scabs
- Potato black leg – bacterial disease that can affect potato plants from June onwards – often starts in the seed potatoes, so it’s vital to buy from a reputable supplier and only save seed potatoes from healthy plants
Different potato varieties have certain resistances to various diseases. You can check the British Potato Variety Database to find out which potatoes are resistant to which disease.
Pests
There are also some pests that might like to nibble at your potato plants:
- Slugs and snails – they will nibble at the leaves, but are only a problem in years when there is an abundance of slugs and snails
- Potato eelworms – nematodes, worm-like animals – feed on the roots of the plant
- Cutworms – the caterpillars of some moth species – feed on the tubers
- Wireworms – larvae of the click beetle – feed on the roots of potato plants
To find out how to protect your potato plants from pests and diseases, read our complete potato growing guide.
What Are The Best Potatoes To Grow In Pots?
As we have already said, we would recommend first earlies or second earlies for growing in containers. Here are some of our favourites:
- Red Duke of York – first early – I love this potato, because it makes the best chips. It has red skin and yellowish flesh
- Rocket – first early – this is a favourite among many gardeners, it’s a great potato for a summer salad with a BBQ
- Arran Pilot – first early – I love the taste of this potato. It’s my go-to for boiled potatoes
- Jazzy – second early – this is such a versatile and tasty potato that you can use for anything: mashing, roasting, boiling, or in salads; it’s just perfect
There are so many varieties to choose from, so give them all a go and find your favourite.
Can I use supermarket potatoes as seed potatoes?
Opinions on this subject are divided, with some saying you can’t and others you can.
First, you need to know that ware potatoes (eating potatoes) that are sold in the supermarket are not meant to be used as seed potatoes. They tend to be too big for seed potatoes. But more importantly, they might not be as low risk in terms of diseases and pests.
There are regulations for seed potatoes that ensure that diseases and pets are not spread. So you can be sure that commercially bought seed potatoes won’t be infected with any diseases.
Ware potatoes can contain diseases, which won’t make them unsafe to eat, but could affect any plants that you grow from them and could also spread the disease in your garden if no counter measures are taken.
Eating potatoes from the supermarket might also be treated with certain chemicals to prevent them from sprouting, which will render them unusable for growing.
However, I have used ware potatoes before as seed potatoes. Our seed potatoes chitted prematurely, so we thought we would try some small ones from a bag we bought at the supermarket.
They chitted ok, so we planted them. We didn’t have any issues with diseases and got a reasonable crop. One issue was that we couldn’t choose what variety to plant. But then, we had the potatoes anyway, so didn’t spend any extra money.
I think, if you are out of seed potatoes, have a go and see what you get! But I would recommend growing them in containers to avoid spreading diseases in your garden beds.
Can I grow potatoes indoors in winter?
Yes you can, and if you already know how to grow potatoes in containers, you will find it easy.
All you have to do is ensure the potato plants have the right conditions to grow and produce crops.
You will need to get the right seed potatoes, though. Tubers are dormant for a certain time after harvest before they will sprout. You can buy seed potatoes especially for this purpose, such as ‘Charlotte’, ‘Nicola’ and ‘Maris Peer’.
If you want home grown potatoes for Christmas, then plant your seed potatoes in August and they will be ready in time for a super delicious feast.
The advantage of growing potatoes indoors is that they are less likely to catch any of the diseases. However there are some things you need to keep in mind:
- Keep your potato plants well watered, but don’t overwater them. Indoors, they won’t need to be watered as much as outdoors in summer. Make sure that your pots have good drainage, potatoes won’t grow in wet soil.
- Like any plants, potatoes need light to grow and produce tubers, so place them in a location that provides them with several hours of sunlight per day. If you have a greenhouse, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if you want to grow them in the house, then you might want to invest in some grow lights to improve your chances of a good crop.
- 【3-year Warranty】Updated Package(2020): 1x Grow light, 1x Thermometer Humidity Monitor, 2x Adjustable Rope, 1x Hanging Kit, 1x Power Cord, 1x User Manual. We offer a 3-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee. If you have any problems, please contact us.
- 【Optimal Full Spectrum】Different from others, this led grow light added 2PCS Yellow LED, is beneficial to the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, promoting energy transmit, improving plant growth quality. It also has universal Blue, Red, IR, UV, White light. Blue and red led are an essential light for all plant growth. Expensive IR UV led can promote plants to defense mechanisms.
- 【Wide Coverage】60PCS SMD led(total 600W) provides uniform illumination. It can replace traditional 600-watt HPS/MH while consumes only 80 watts. Ensures maximum yield with minimum power usage and heat. PAR 436umol/m2s at 24” height, perfect for 2x2ft growing area(Maximum coverage area at 4x4ft at 24” height).
- Feed your potato plants regularly with a liquid fertiliser.
- Boosts Plant Growth & Crop Yields - Natural Seaweed fertiliser that enhances strong & healthy plant growth, promotes lush foliage, and increases crop yields for thriving plants.
- Nutrient Rich Plant Food - Enriched with iron and plant-based amino acids to nourish garden plants, improve soil health, and support plant & root development.
- Versatile & All Purpose - Ideal for lawns, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and all other garden plants. Perfect for any outdoor or indoor plants.
- Frost can damage the foliage of your potato plants, so if you grow them in a greenhouse, ensure that it stays frost-free.
Growing potatoes in the UK in winter can be tricky, but if it works, it’s very rewarding.
Do potatoes need full sun or do they grow in shade?
Potatoes can grow in a partly shady spot, but to get the best yield, your potato plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day. The leaves use sunlight to grow the tubers, so the more sunlight, the more potatoes you get.
When you grow potatoes in containers, you can move them around in your garden to give them as much sunlight as you can. That’s the beauty of container growing.
If all the space you have is partly in the shade some of the day or only gets filtered sunlight, you can still grow potatoes, but you are likely to get fewer potatoes.
So for the best potato yield, choose a sunny spot!
Do I have to chit my seed potatoes before planting?
There is a debate going on amongst gardeners whether seed potatoes have to be chitted – pre-sprouted – before planting or not. And the jury is still out.
From the research I have done, I would say that while it is not necessary to chit your seed potatoes before planting, doing so will give them a head start and give you a slightly better harvest.
One old study has found that chitting potatoes can increase the yield by 10% to 20%. (Sykes and Hardaker 1962)
Also, for me, it’s the start of the potato growing process and I love to see them sitting on the windowsill, looking out for the first sprouts.
Especially first and second early varieties seem to do a lot better when chitted before planting. And maincrop varieties do also benefit from it to a degree.
I always chit my seed potatoes. It’s very simple, pop them into an empty egg carton and put it on the windowsill.
After about two to four weeks, sprouts will appear from the ‘eyes’ (the area where they were attached to the roots when they grew). When the sprouts are about 2.5 cm or 1 inch long, you can plant them.
Can I have a constant supply of potatoes?
Yes you can, is the short answer. All you need is good planning and space (indoors over winter).
The normal cycle for potato growing starts in January when you start chitting your potatoes and then plant them out in March. You will have your first harvest about 12 weeks later.
If you want to harvest potatoes weekly, you will need to plant a new batch every week. Depending on how many potatoes you want to harvest, you can plant 1 – 2 seed potatoes per batch. On average you get about 10 – 15 tubers from one seed potato, depending on growing conditions and variety.
Normally, the cycle ends in August when you harvest maincrop varieties. But instead of finishing, you can continue to plant new potatoes. But you will need to get cold-stored potato tubers, which have been held back from late winter the previous year.
Potatoes do not sprout immediately, but will stay dormant for a long period, so you will need to buy specialist seed potatoes that will produce tubers in late summer.
Your first batch after the cycle normally finishes should be ready before the first frost, so can be left outside. But any of the ones planted later, you might want to move inside, in a heated greenhouse, a conservatory or a bright porch, as the likelihood of frost increases.
The key to successfully growing potatoes over winter is to keep them free from frost.
Keep your plants well watered, ensuring your pots have good drainage. Feed your plants regularly, too, as they will need it over winter. As the sun gets weaker, you might want to help your plants by providing grow lights.
- 【3-year Warranty】Updated Package(2020): 1x Grow light, 1x Thermometer Humidity Monitor, 2x Adjustable Rope, 1x Hanging Kit, 1x Power Cord, 1x User Manual. We offer a 3-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee. If you have any problems, please contact us.
- 【Optimal Full Spectrum】Different from others, this led grow light added 2PCS Yellow LED, is beneficial to the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, promoting energy transmit, improving plant growth quality. It also has universal Blue, Red, IR, UV, White light. Blue and red led are an essential light for all plant growth. Expensive IR UV led can promote plants to defense mechanisms.
- 【Wide Coverage】60PCS SMD led(total 600W) provides uniform illumination. It can replace traditional 600-watt HPS/MH while consumes only 80 watts. Ensures maximum yield with minimum power usage and heat. PAR 436umol/m2s at 24” height, perfect for 2x2ft growing area(Maximum coverage area at 4x4ft at 24” height).
I would recommend growing your potatoes in containers, as they will take up less space and it will also reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
- ✿ 【Premium Durable Material】 The 3 Pack 10 Gallon (13.78 × 17.72 inches) grow bags are made up of high quality non-woven fabric with two sturdy handles, which ensure the planter bags can be reused.
- ✿ 【Clever Design】 The Potato grow bag comes with visualization window ability to quickly and accurately determine whether potatoes are ripe and harvest them directly without having to dig in clay soil!
- ✿ 【Easy to use & Clean】 Lightweight waterproof easy to hanging with handles, heavy duty, can be used in anywhere. When crops finished, split the bag open and recycle the soil or compost. Clean the grow bag, storage for next planting.
So while it is possible to grow potatoes all year round, they will need a lot of care over the autumn and winter months. Alternatively, you can grow a bigger final batch that is harvested in August and store them. This can give you homegrown potatoes into winter.
How do I best store my potatoes?
Maincrops and second early varieties are best for storing, first earlies are better eaten fresh. But you can store any potatoes if you don’t need them immediately. First earlies store for a few weeks, second earlies and maincrops for months.
Potatoes are best stored in dry, dark, and cool conditions, and you have some options on what to do with potatoes that you don’t consume straight after harvesting.
You can simply leave any potatoes you don’t need in the ground. First earlies can be left for about two weeks after their harvest date, second earlies for about two months and maincrops varieties for up to four months. This is a simple option if you have too many to eat immediately.
However, leaving potatoes in the ground for storage can make them vulnerable to attacks from pests such as eelworm or slugs, as well as diseases.
Another option is to keep them in a basket, such as a wicker basket, in a cool, dry space, such as a cellar. Make sure there is enough ventilation to keep the potatoes dry. This can keep them for a few months. But keep checking on them to make sure they don’t start rotting.
Finally, you can rebury them. Either in used compost or sand. Make sure the compost and/or sand is dry, as moisture can cause the tubers to rot.
I like to use wooden crates, as they work well and look nice. Start with a layer of compost or sand, then place your potatoes on top in a single layer. Top up with compost or sand and repeat until you have buried all your potatoes.
Place the crate in a dry, cool place, such as a cellar, shed or cool conservatory. Make sure you don’t store them in such a cold place that frost can occur. You should be able to store your potatoes in that way for several months.
Check on your stored potatoes regularly and throw away any that show signs of deteriorating. Rot can spread, so if you don’t remove any that have started rotting, soon all of them will rot and your hard work will have been in vain.
To ensure the potatoes can be stored as long as possible, they have to be in good storing conditions. Here are some tips that will help you store them for longer:
- Lift potatoes you want to store in dry weather
- Leave them in the sun for a day or two (or on a table inside if it’s raining). This will harden the skin, which will make them more suitable for storage
- Don’t wash the potatoes if you want to store them
- Only store potatoes that are in good condition. Any damaged ones are better eaten immediately
- The optimal storage temperature for potatoes is between 5°C and 8°C
- Check on your potatoes regularly and remove any damaged ones. You should be able to smell if any tubers started to rot.
There you go, your questions about growing potatoes in the UK answered. Happy Growing!
