Quick Tips on Growing Early Potatoes

• Aim for crops of new potatoes to lift  in May-July from ‘first early’ varieties Rocket, Arran Pilot, Duke of York, Pentland Javelin, Rocket, Winston and/or Lady Christl. they will be ready in 10-12 weeks.
• Buy small tubers (size isn’t so important) of seed potato from your garden centre or mail order
• Encourage sprouting,  ‘chitting’, by placing the potatoes in a cool light place with the bud eyes facing upwards. For a small number you can stand them in old egg boxes. You are aiming to get short, strong shoots at the rose end. If there are too many shoots I rub off some of the surplus to channel energy.
• A bit of warmth or at least a sheltered spot will bring them on. Avoid frost and cold as they grow.

• Plant out 3 inches deep in mid February- March into organically rich, fertilised soil about a foot apart.
• You may wish to try growing in a pot or special potato sack or barrel where you can add soil as the plant grows to save earthing up.
• Choose varieties that have a subtle flavour and a good waxy texture such as ‘Accent’
• For a floury potato try ‘Red Duke of York’ or old varieties Pentland Javelin, Maris Bard or Arran Pilot
• Water little and often adding high potash feed.
• Cut off foliage and leave in the soil for a couple of weeks if you want skins to set
• Eat new potatoes as soon as they are picked and take care they do not go into the water.

Related

• Buy Early Potatoes at Thompson and Morgan
• Potatoes at Amazon

Main crop spuds take 14 weeks or so to mature. Some varieties flower and that indicates they are ready to harvest.
Second earlies give you a chance to spread the cropping period. I do not bother preferring a range of varieties that achieves the same end.
I like the salad varieties Ratte, Pink Fir Apple and Charlotte.