For many of us, the arrival of seed potatoes marks the true beginning of the gardening year and the first real chance to get our hands back into the soil and plan for the harvest ahead.
Whether you have a sprawling allotment or just a few patio bags, growing your own potatoes is one of the most rewarding (and delicious) projects you can take on. But choosing the right variety can feel a bit daunting if you aren’t sure what the labels mean.
To keep it simple, potatoes are generally grouped by when they are ready to harvest. First Earlies are the “new potatoes” we all crave; they grow quickly, take up less space, and are usually ready to lift in June or July. Second Earlies follow shortly after, while Maincrops take the longest to grow but reward you with much larger tubers that are perfect for roasting or mashing and store well right through the winter.
If you are looking for the best seed potatoes for small gardens, sticking to First or Second Earlies in containers is usually your best bet for a heavy crop in a tight space.
Before you get them in the ground, you’ll need to start a process called “chitting.” This might sound technical, but it’s actually incredibly straightforward and helps give your potatoes a vital head start. All you need to do is place your seed potatoes in a cool, light, frost-free spot- old egg boxes are perfect for this- with the “eyes” (the little buds) facing upwards. Over a few weeks, these eyes will grow into sturdy green shoots. By the time the soil warms up in spring, your potatoes will be waking up and ready to grow the moment they hit the earth.
We’ll be curating a fantastic selection this year at Hildreth’s and always recommend popping in sooner rather than later; the cult classics and specialist varieties tend to fly out as soon as they land. Feel free to ask any of our team for advice on which variety will suit your soil and your dinner plate best – we’re always happy to help you get your patch started.
Are you following us on social yet? Don’t forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter and follow our socials for more news and offers.
If you have time, please leave us a Google Review here. We’re independent and family-run so we’d really appreciate it.