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First and Second Early Spuds

18th February 2010, by Dan Walford

‘Chitting’ Potatoes

This week I bought my early seed potatoes from the huge variety that’s now available at most garden retailers.

I’ve chosen to start off with Charlotte (great as a salad potato, but can also be boiled and roasted) and Estima (an excellent mash and jacket spud). Make sure you pick a variety that suits your taste.

I’ve placed mine in egg boxes (but a wooden tray would be fine) ensuring each tuber has the rose-end pointing up. You might even be able to see the potato eyes starting to grow. Place them in a light and frost-free room so they develop sturdy green shoots. They will be ready for planting outside at the end of March, or beginning of April, for harvesting from the end of June.

To get the biggest crops it’s important to ‘chit’ your seed before planting.

I grow mine in the veg plot at the bottom of the garden, but if you have limited garden space then a Miracle-Gro Potato & Vegetable Gro-sac maybe the answer. Carefully push your seed potato (with the shoots facing upwards) into the loosened compost to a depth of approximately 25cm (10in). Take care not to damage the shoots as you plant the seeds and ensure the potatoes are evenly spaced and not touching each other. Each gro-sac is suitable for 5 seed potatoes so you can expect to grow quite a nice crop from each one.