Seed Potatoes
Bland, nameless spuds from the shop have had their chips. Why not grow your own flavour packed gourmet potatoes instead? Expertly raised on the grower’s family farm in Lancashire, our seed potato range is a tasty mashup of familiar favourites and top tier heirlooms. Sent to you at the ideal time for planting, they’re easy to grow and delightful to eat.
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South Downs National Park
Meet Josh
Slow grown veg from the sunny South Downs
Our vegetable plants are sown on a family farm in Lancashire, then nurtured into strong young plants by Josh in the sunny South Downs before they rock up in your garden. By selecting only the strongest and tastiest varieties, Josh makes sure you get a headstart on your plot, with impressive crops and no waste.
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Potato FAQs
When is the best time to plant potatoes in the UK?
Depending on which type of potato you want to grow, they can be planted between March and May. Generally speaking, first earlies are planted mid-March, second earlies in the first two weeks of April and maincrops in the second half of April.
What type of soil do potatoes prefer?
The best soil for potatoes is well draining, loose and fertile - ideally sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic pH level between 5.5 and 6.0.
How do I plant potatoes?
Plant your chitted seed potatoes about 10-15cm deep and 30cm apart. If you’re planting rows, these should have about 60cm between them. Plant the seed potatoes with the ‘eyes’ (sprouts) upwards.
How often should I water potatoes?
Make sure you water your potatoes regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged as this can lead to rot. They may need more frequent watering during hot weather.
Do potatoes need fertilising?
For the best results, mix in plenty of well rotted manure or compost when you plant your potatoes, then feed them with a balanced fertiliser once the plants are 15-20cm tall.
When can I harvest potatoes?
New potatoes (first and second earlies) will be ready for harvesting as early as ten weeks after you plant them. Maincrops usually take until late summer or early autumn to be ready.
How do I know when potatoes are ready to harvest?
To harvest earlies, wait until the flower buds drop, then dig them up when they’re about the size of a hen’s egg. For maincrops, wait until the leaves turn yellow, then cut them down. Ten days later your potatoes should be ready. To harvest your potatoes, dig up the whole plant (go carefully - you don’t want to slice through any with the spade) and gently tease the potatoes away from the roots - some will just fall off, so keep a basket or bucket handy!
How should I store harvested potatoes?
First and second earlies are best eaten soon after harvesting, but maincrop potatoes can be stored for months in the right conditions. Cure them by leaving them in a cool, dark and airy place for about two weeks, then store them in a cool, dark place with good airflow, such as a utility room or garage, in breathable containers like hessian sacks or paper bags. You’ll find lots more advice in our growers’ guide to potatoes.
