Potato
Only plant certified virus-free 'seed potatoes' from a supplier, never supermarket potatoes, which can carry diseases that persist in the soil for years.
Care
Especially important once tubers begin to swell.
Fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, ideally free of large stones for the smoothest tubers.
Not applicable — instead, 'earth up' (draw soil or compost around the stems) repeatedly as they grow, which increases yield and stops developing tubers turning green in the light.
A general fertiliser worked in before planting and a second application as the shoots are earthed up. Stop after that: late feeding delays the skins setting, which matters for anything you mean to store.
From seed potatoes, chitted in a cool bright place before planting. Use certified stock rather than saving your own — potatoes accumulate virus quickly, and last year's supermarket tubers are the usual way blight and virus arrive in a garden.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchChit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes in a cool, bright place before planting. how ›
- MayEarth up repeatedly as stems grow, to increase yield and exclude light from developing tubers.
- JulyLift and harvest — timing depends on variety, from 'new' potatoes around 10 weeks after planting to maincrop later in summer.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchChit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes in a cool, bright place before planting. how ›
- MayEarth up repeatedly as stems grow, to increase yield and exclude light from developing tubers.
- JulyLift and harvest — timing depends on variety, from 'new' potatoes around 10 weeks after planting to maincrop later in summer.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryChit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes in a cool, bright place before planting. how ›
- AprilEarth up repeatedly as stems grow, to increase yield and exclude light from developing tubers.
- JulyLift and harvest — timing depends on variety, from 'new' potatoes around 10 weeks after planting to maincrop later in summer.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryChit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes in a cool, bright place before planting. how ›
- AprilEarth up repeatedly as stems grow, to increase yield and exclude light from developing tubers.
- JulyLift and harvest — timing depends on variety, from 'new' potatoes around 10 weeks after planting to maincrop later in summer.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Collapsing, blackened foliage in warm, wet weather, spreading to tubers.
What to do. Lift tubers promptly if foliage is affected.
How to spot it. Holes in tubers, worse in wet seasons and heavy soil.
What to do. Use barriers or organic control methods.
How to spot it. From light exposure, and toxic if eaten.
What to do. Always earth up thoroughly; discard any green parts.
Questions
Potato: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Large containers or purpose-made potato bags are a popular, easy way to grow this crop.
Potato: when do you prune it?
Not applicable — instead, 'earth up' (draw soil or compost around the stems) repeatedly as they grow, which increases yield and stops developing tubers turning green in the light.
Potato: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A general fertiliser worked in before planting and a second application as the shoots are earthed up. Stop after that: late feeding delays the skins setting, which matters for anything you mean to store. Feeding months, UK: April–May.