Plant and Grow Potatoes

Plant and Grow Potatoes

14:27

The Happy Garden Company

Potatoes are an excellent crop for a new or neglected garden as the root system breaks up the soil and improves its structure.

There are actually only a few soils in which potatoes won't grow reasonably well.

Step 1.

Prepare the soil by digging plently of organic matter into open, frost-free ground, to a depth of 60cm. (Crops will be poor in shaded areas).

Step 2.

In a light but not sunny room, set out the seed potatoes, eyes uppermost, in trays or egg boxes to chit (sprout). In six weeks they will develop 2cm sprouts.

Step 3.

Plant seed potatoes upright, with shoots at top, 30cm apart with 60cm between rows 15cm deep. Take care not to damage the fragile shoots.

Step 4.

Potatotes need constant "earthing up" to protect them from late frost and to prevent tubers that are too near to the surface turning green and toxic.

Step 5.

As an alternative, and for easier harvesting, you can earth up with straw. Potatoes and ready to dig up when they are the size of a hen's egg.

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