Homestyle
Grow
your own potatoes
with Lisa Halifax,
Garden Centre Manager / Experienced Horticulturist from Totties Garden Centre, Holmfirth.
It’s a new year, spring is just around the corner and there is plenty to do and organise for the oncoming months.
It is January and we are now stocking over 30 different varieties of seed potatoes at totties which are ready to purchase now and plant very soon.
We stock early, second early and main crop seed potatoes. Potatoes have their own ideal planting date. Plant first early potatoes mid- April, second early potatoes two weeks after and main crop two weeks after your second early, treat your salad potatoes the same as your main crop. Planting times can always vary depending on ground conditions. Accord, rocket, Winston, Nadine, charlotte, blue belle, epicure, casablanca, home guard, Pentland javelin, kestrel majestic, Nicola, pink fir apple and king Edward are just a few we have in stock.
These are a few of my favourite potatoes Arran pilot which is a first early variety it as grey white flesh with a firm waxy texture which does not disintegrate on cooking, a very pleasing flavour.
Maris piper – this one is a main crop, a very good all round table potato an excellent chipper.
King Edward this again is another main crop this variety is an old one but is still very popular. International kidney – first early a very early potato long oval shaped tuber with yellow skin and creamy white flesh of waxy texture, good flavour boils well and is excellent for salads use.
Growing your very own potatoes is becoming increasingly popular.
It can become difficult to decide which variety to grow especially with so many different varieties to choose from. Some of us just stick to our old time favourites but for those who are trying it for the first time may need some help choosing which variety. I can help you decide which one will be most suitable for you when you visit totties.
Potatoes are a tuber plant that can grow in most types of soil. They need to be planted at the right time and receive routine feeding and maintenance, Put them in a spot where they will get at least eight hours of full sun every day from spring to summer.
Seed potatoes have to have at least one good eye. As the potato seed produces sprouts remove all but the top four to ensure that they receive all the goodness of the seed potato, the ideal sprout length at planting time is 2.5cm, it is critical that the sprouts are green and not white coloured, white spouts are caused by not enough light.
Planting your seed potato
Rows – Create rows in the soil about one to three inches deep, leave space of 24 to 36 inches between rows to allow the plants to shade the soil and prevent high soil temperatures that could inhibit potato growth. Spaces between seed potatoes Leave spaces of 10 to 12 inches between seed potatoes in the rows, the amount of garden space you need depends on the number of seed potatoes you want to plant. As the potato plant grows, do not remove or stop foliage, it is supplying food to the tubers, however remove any flower heads or buds which appear because these will produce potato seeds which will divert energy from the potato tuber.
Planting potatoes in tubs
Plant potato tubs once you can be sure that they will not be affected by sharp frosts, greenhouses and cold frames will allow you to make an early start.
To plant, add 15cm of compost to a potatoes tub and space 2-3 tubers evenly on the compost, tubers need to be 10 inches apart so depending on your size of planter will depend on how many tubers you can plant. After planting your tubers add further compost to cover, when the shoots are growing strongly further compost can be added but do not cover the plants. Repeat the process until the foliage is well above the tub rim, compost can be added up to 15cm below the rim. Place tub in a location that receives full sun. Water until water runs out of holes, water again when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Harvest small potatoes in 50-60days and mature potatoes in 80-100 days. For a full guide on how and when to plant your chosen seed potatoes call to totties garden centre and I will be more than happy to help.
Happy New Year xx
Totties Nurseries, Downshutts Lane, Totties, Holmfirth. Tel No. 01484 683363.
JOBS FOR JANUARY
• Feed the birds. • Plant bareroot plants (if the ground isn’t frozen). • Water evergreen shrubs on dry frost free days.
• Make notes in your new 2012 diary of future garden plans.
• Keep paths free of leaves and moss. • Plant potted bulbs.
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