POTATOES - A QUICK GUIDE
Planting
We recommend that you buy seed potatoes in January
or February. The best size to buy is between 1 to 2 oz. However,
the yield is not greatly affected by the size of potato planted,
and all sizes offered by us, including the smallest, will give good
results.
If you buy the potatoes before the recommended
planting time, set them out in trays (containing 1 inch / 2.5cm
of dry peat if preferred) with the end of the potato with most eyes
at the top, and keep in a cool, light, frost-free position until
it is time to plant. Alternatively you can buy potatoes at planting
time and plant them straight away (after knocking off any long white
shoots) but this will reduce the yield and give a later crop, especially
for earlies.
Recommended planting times:
EARLIES from
late March, 12 inches (30cm) between potatoes, 24 inches (60cm)
between rows and 5 inches (13cm) deep.
MAINCROP from
Mid-April, 15 inches (38cm) between potatoes, 30 inches (76cm) between
rows and 5 inches (13cm) deep.
Cover with soil and make a low ridge.
Care
Protect shoots from frost if necessary by covering
with a protective material such as dry straw. When plant is approximately
6 inches (15cm) high, draw loose soil up against stems to approximately
5 inches (13cm) high. Increase the height of the ridge by a further
inch or two (3-5cm) when the plant has grown sufficiently. Water
in dry weather.
Harvesting
FIRST EARLIES:
June-July
SECOND EARLIES: July-August
When flowers are fully open, examine potatoes.
They will be ready when they are the size of a hen's eggs. To lift,
insert fork well away from plant and ensure all tubers are lifted
from soil.
MAIN CROP:
August-October
Cut off foliage when it has turned brown and
wait 10 days, then lift as above. To store, leave to dry for a few
hours and place in boxes or bags in a dark frost free room. | 
