Potatoes are a particularly satisfying crop for those new to growing vegetables. They are remarkably simple to cultivate and are regarded as one of the finest plants for beginners.
Although it may be tempting to plant leftover spuds from your weekly supermarket shop, it's far better to begin with certified disease-free "seed" potatoes rather than relying on old supermarket ones.
Earthing up is essential
The only thing to bear in mind, once your potatoes are in the ground, is "earthing up." If potatoes aren't kept properly covered, they can turn green and generate a harmful compound known as solanine. As your young potato plant begins producing leafy green shoots, you should heap additional soil or compost around the base to stimulate further tuber growth.
Gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh explains: "As the shoots grow and come up above the ground, you earth them up. You pull soil around them for two reasons. Reason one is to protect the shoots which are coming up when the frosts are still around. The soil will protect the tender shoots from frost."
Harvest before August
And having done all of that, Alan advises that you should harvest your spuds before August arrives. "If you planted seed potatoes back in spring, this is the month where you can start to dig them up," he says. "A good rule of thumb is once the plants start to flower, that probably indicates there is a good harvest down underneath the soil."
"It's the moment of truth," Alan tells House Beautiful. "If you've had fair weather, and the gardening gods are on your side, there will be rather a large crop of new potatoes at the end of each plant. But what's critical is the timing," he adds. "Do it too soon and there won't be much there at all. Leave it too late, and you'll have whacking great spuds."
New potatoes are the earliest to crop and should be harvested before the end of July. They're wonderful in salads, but can also be par boiled, crushed and roasted in the oven as tasty mini-roasts. They don't keep for very long, however, so are best consumed straight away.
Storage tips
Main-crop potatoes come next. Maris Pipers, King Edwards and Desirees, which should be planted in March, can be harvested in late summer or autumn — any time from August to October — and will keep well throughout winter. Stored in dry soil in a garden shed, they can last for several months.
A spokesperson from supermarket giant Tesco advises: "By following a few simple steps, you can keep your potatoes nearly as fresh as the day you bought them, for up to six months. Your spuds need air circulation, so don't suffocate them in a plastic bag. They're best kept in a mesh or paper bag. It's also crucial that potatoes are stored away from other fresh produce, particularly onions, as they release ethylene gas."
Catch Alan on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh from 9.30am to 11.30am this morning (Sunday, July 26) on ITV.
