Coolings Garden Centre - Kent

Potatoes are easy and they will yield a worthwhile crop under a wide range of conditions.

Chitting: This is where potato tubers are sprouted before being planted, to get earlier and heavier crops. Place the potatoes in a tray or empty egg box carton, with the end with the most buds (or eyes) facing upwards – the rose end. Keep them in a cool, frost-free place away from direct sunlight. The process normally takes about 6 weeks and you can then plant in March, weather permitting.

Planting: Add plenty of manure or garden compost into your trench and then fill back in. Bury the tubers using a trowel or bulb planter. Earlies are planted 3 inches deep, 12 inches apart with 18 inches between each row. Second earlies need a bit more space while main crop are traditionally planted 15 inches apart and 27 inches between rows. Earth up the rows 2 or 3 times as the foliage gets too extensive. Water well in dry spells and spray with Bordeaux mixture or Dithane to control blight, if required.

Harvesting: Earlies are ready 9-12 weeks from planting and main crop take about 14 weeks.

Patio Potatoes: Choose a pot with handles about 12- 14 inches in diameter. This can be moved to a sheltered spot if frost threatens. Use a rich compost and fill about one third of the pot/bag. Be prepared to use a high potash feed like Growing Success Potato Fertiliser or Tomorite. Water little but often. As the foliage grows add more compost until you are near the top of the bag. Harvesting times as above.

Choosing your potato: There are four main groups of potato, First early, Second early, Main crop and Late main crop. We have are usual wide range of varieties in this year with such favourites as Arran Pilot, Bell de Fontenay, Cara, Desiree, Foremost, Home Guard, Kestrel, King Edward, Maris Piper, Nadine, Pentland Crown, Pentland Javelin and Rocket. We also have a selection of 17, smaller packs of specialist varieties. As you can see this is our biggest range ever!  (Please note that stock sells out quite quickly so please ring if you would like to check stock for a specific variety)

However a new one to mention this year is Rooster. A new variety to growers at Coolings this potato is causing a stir in the UK. Always a favourite in Ireland the Rooster has a red skin with floury yellow flesh. It is perfect for all cooking uses being not too floury or too waxy and also having an excellent flavour.
 
Lastly – enjoy the fruits of your labour.