If you want to dip your toes into growing your own veges there is one plant that’s perfect for beginners – potatoes. These hardy vegetables are easy to grow and will offer a harvest of around 5 potatoes per plant, which is plenty to be getting on with.
However there is one key element you need to be aware of if you’re growing your own potatoes and that is making sure you plant them at the right time. For people in the UK, the best time to plant potatoes is April as the weather begins to warm. Speaking to thespruce.com, the CEO of TN Nursery Tammy Sons said: “The ground needs to be fairly dry and loose because potatoes cannot handle soggy conditions.”
Potatoes also love the sunshine so make sure you choose a bright spot in the garden. The top growth needs at least six hours of sun a day to grow full and bushy which in turn will feed the tubers below the ground.
When it comes time to plant them, make sure you maximise your chances for success. Choose potatoes with lots of ‘eyes’ – the little white knobbly bits that grow when you forget about them in the cupboard.
Slice them into rounds with at least one viable eye each and leave these to dry for two days to prevent rot before planting with the eye facing skywards.
Potatoes love to be deep in the soil – at least 12 inches and around six to eight inches away from each other.
Remember that potatoes are not fans of hot soil, so make sure you keep the soil mulched to cool it.
If you’re wondering when to harvest your potatoes, the best sign to watch for is the health of the tops. When the leaves above ground wither and die off it’s time to harvest your vegetables. This usually takes around 90 to 120 days from when you first plant them.