Though its name may be deceptive, Seed Potatoes aren't actually seeds; they're disease-free tubers that you can use to grow new potatoes which will be genetically identical to the parent.
Fast, early growth is beneficial when growing potatoes. If you can get them in, grow them quickly and get them harvested fast, there is less chance that pests or bad weather will damage your crop.
Potatoes also thrive in deep, fertile and well-drained soil often meaning optimal soil conditions prior to planting are more important than a precise planting schedule. We recommend preparing the area well before planting by breaking down any larger bits of soil and adding a quality fertiliser. It is also important to note that planting too early in cold, wet soil can cause rotting so a slight delay in planting until the soil is both warm and moist will provide a better yield. In most areas, this is in between March and May.
Before you plant, you might also decide to "chit" (pre-sprout) the potatoes. Pre-sprouting can sometimes reduce the time to mature potatoes in the field by 10 – 14 days. However, even if you don’t pre-sprout your Seed Potatoes, simply warming them up before planting will be beneficial.
Planting Times & Distances
- First and Second Earlies plant from mid to late March, 25cm to 30cm (10-12 inches) apart in rows 60cm (2ft) apart.
- All Maincrop tubers plant from early to late April, 30cm to 36cm (12-14 inches) apart in rows 70cm to 76 cm (28-30 inches) apart.
Shop our range of Seed Potatoes in store today, or online now by visiting our website.
