Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Also known as: Irish potato, Papa · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Mid March to mid April
- Ready in
- 70–140 days
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 4.8–6.5
- Biggest risk
- Late blight
In the UK, potatoes go in the ground mid March to mid April, and are ready to harvest 70–140 days after planting.
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) — Herbaceous perennial botanically, but grown horticulturally as an annual crop.
This crop carries an unusually heavy problem load: 5 diseases, 4 pests and 1 nutrient issue are documented for it, so most of the effort in growing it well goes into prevention.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Diseases
Pests
Nutrient Issues
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 4.8 - 6.5 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Germination temp | 10C |
| Optimal growing temp | 10-22C |
| Time to harvest | 70-140 days |
| Soil texture | Rich, fertile soil worked with plenty of organic matter -- garden compost or well-rotted manure -- before planting, especially on light soils, with a general-purpose fertiliser applied at planting. |
| Drainage | Well-drained but moisture-retentive; potatoes need steady moisture as tubers bulk up but will rot in waterlogged ground. |
| Lifecycle | Herbaceous perennial botanically, but grown horticulturally as an annual crop: propagated from tubers ("seed potatoes"), planted and harvested within a single UK growing season (RHS). Member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the fourth most important food crop globally after wheat, maize and rice (Kew). |
| Edible parts | tuber |
At a Glance
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | mid March to mid April |
United Kingdom - detail & sources
RHS gives the UK planting window as mid-March to April for first earlies and from mid-April for maincrop. The range stored here spans first earlies through to the start of maincrop planting; the harvest section gives the full three-tier breakdown. Choose an open, sunny site that is not prone to late April and May frosts, since young shoots are frost-tender.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: Keep well watered, particularly through dry spells while tubers are bulking. Extension guidance quantifies this as 1-2 inches (roughly 25-50 mm) of water per week.
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chitting & planting (seed potatoes) | 0 | Seed potatoes are pre-sprouted ("chitted") before planting, especially for first earlies. Plant in a trench or individual holes 7-15cm deep with shoots facing upward, covering with at least 2.5cm of soil; site must be open, sunny, and not prone to late frosts (RHS). Spacing: earlies ~30cm apart in rows 60cm apart; maincrop ~37cm apart in rows 75cm apart (RHS). |
| Shoot emergence & earthing up | 3 | Shoots emerge and haulm (foliage) develops. "Earthing up" (mounding soil/compost over the lower stems) is carried out as shoots grow, covering the lower two-thirds of the plant. This protects young shoots from frost and prevents developing tubers being exposed to light, which turns them green and toxic (RHS, Kew). No RHS-specified numeric day-count for this stage was found; height-based timing (~20cm shoots) is used instead of days. |
| Flowering | 6 | White to pink, purple or blue flowers, ~2.5cm diameter with yellow anthers, in axillary inflorescences (Kew). Flowering is not required for tuber formation and its absence is not a sign of a problem; timing and profusion vary by cultivar. Fruit (an inedible berry) is rarely produced in cultivation. |
| Tuber bulking | 7 | Main phase of tuber enlargement below ground. This is the growth stage most vulnerable to yield loss if potato blight causes early defoliation, since the plant loses its capacity to bulk tubers once the haulm is destroyed (RHS). Potassium is the key nutrient for tuber development at this stage. |
| Haulm senescence & lifting | 8 | Foliage (haulm) yellows and dies back naturally (maincrop) or is deliberately cut off at ~25% blight-affected leaf level to protect tubers (RHS). Maincrop tuber skins are left to harden for about two weeks after haulm removal before lifting, which also reduces skin damage in storage. First/second earlies are lifted directly once the target size/timing window is reached, without waiting for full die-back. |
| Post-harvest dormancy & storage | 9 | Harvested tubers are stored cool, dark and frost-free; check regularly for decay. Tubers exposed to light (in the ground or in storage) turn green and accumulate toxic solanine and must be discarded, not eaten (Kew). Tubers from a blight-affected crop should be used promptly rather than stored, and any stored batch should be checked regularly since blight-related rot can spread in store (RHS). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: RHS splits UK potatoes into three timing groups, each with its own planting-to-lifting window. First earlies: plant mid-March to April, lift 10-12 weeks later (June to early July). Second earlies: plant early to mid-April, lift after 13-14 weeks (mid-July to August). Maincrop: plant from mid-April, harvest after 15-20 weeks (late August to October). For maincrop, allow about two weeks after the haulm (foliage) dies back or is cut down so tuber skins harden before lifting.
Storage
Cure lifted tubers at 55-60F (13-16C) in high humidity for two to three weeks so skins set, then store in the dark in a cool, frost-free place -- in paper or hessian sacks, or on slatted trays. Check stored tubers regularly for decay: blight-affected tubers can rot in store even when they looked sound at lifting, so use tubers from a blighted crop promptly rather than storing them.
Companion Planting
Watch: Growing Potatoes in the UK
A quick practical video from SoilCommander on growing potatoes and other vegetables in UK conditions — chitting, planting depth and spacing, and keeping plants healthy through the season.
Chitting Seed Potatoes
Planting Method
Dig trenches or individual holes 10–15cm deep. Place seed potatoes rose-end up. Spacing: 30cm apart for first earlies, 37cm for second earlies, 45cm for maincrop. Rows 45–60cm apart for earlies, 75cm for maincrop. Cover with soil and water in. Earth up shoots as they emerge to protect from frost and to encourage tubers to form along the buried stem.
Earthing Up
Earth up when shoots reach 20–25cm, drawing soil from between rows up around the base of plants to leave just the top few leaves showing. This prevents tubers near the surface from turning green (green potatoes contain solanine and are inedible). Earth up two or three times through the season.
Watering and Feeding
Water consistently once tubers begin to form — irregular watering causes hollow hearts and cracking. A good soaking every 10–14 days in dry weather is better than frequent light watering. Feed with a high-potash liquid feed once flowering begins to encourage tuber development.
Harvest Timing & Regional Notes
| Type | Harvest | Sign to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| First earlies | Jun–Jul | Plants have flowered; tubers golf-ball sized |
| Second earlies | Jul–Aug | Plants beginning to yellow; larger tubers |
| Maincrop | Aug–Oct | Foliage dies back fully; skin sets firm |
Regional Planting Notes
The RHS advises planting slightly later in colder regions and earlier in milder ones — in Scotland and northern England, start chitting seed potatoes as late as early March, compared with late January in milder southern areas, and delay planting out accordingly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Chitting maincrop varieties. Chitting helps early potatoes crop faster, but the RHS notes there's no real advantage for maincrop varieties given their longer growing season anyway.
- Reacting slowly to blight. Once blight appears, act quickly — affected potatoes won't be suitable for storing, and delaying only spreads the damage further.
- Leaving tubers exposed to light. Skipping earthing up entirely risks green, frost-exposed shoots and tubers, even though the RHS confirms you'll still get a reasonable crop without it.
Recommended UK Varieties
- Charlotte — AGM first early, waxy salad potato, reliable across the UK
- Maris Piper — classic all-rounder maincrop, good for roasting, chipping and baking
- Sarpo Mira — maincrop with strong blight resistance, useful in wetter summers
- Rocket — very early first early, one of the quickest to crop
Charlotte and Maris Piper Planting Dates
Plant Charlotte potatoes from March to April after chitting them in February or March. Charlotte is commonly grown as a second early and harvested in July or August.
Plant Maris Piper potatoes in April because they are usually grown as a maincrop variety. Harvest from late summer into autumn once the plants have finished growing and the foliage has died back.
Growing Potatoes in Bags
Potatoes can be grown in bags and containers, especially first earlies and Christmas potatoes. Containers warm quickly, fit small spaces and make harvesting easier, but they dry out faster than open ground. Use good compost, water consistently and avoid overcrowding each bag.
Where to Go Next
For the full planting-date breakdown by potato type, see our guide to when to plant potatoes UK.
Browse sowing dates for all crops in the UK vegetable planting calendar or explore all UK vegetable growing guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month do you plant potatoes in the UK?
Most UK potatoes are planted in March and April. First earlies usually start from late March, second earlies from late March to April, and maincrop potatoes in April.
When should I plant first early potatoes?
Plant first early potatoes from late March to April once the soil is workable and frost risk is easing. In cold areas, wait until April rather than planting into cold, wet ground.
When should I plant second early potatoes?
Plant second early potatoes from late March through April. They usually harvest in July or August and work well as a follow-on crop after first earlies.
When should I plant maincrop potatoes?
Plant maincrop potatoes in April. They need a longer season than early potatoes and are usually harvested from August to October.
When do you plant Charlotte potatoes?
Plant Charlotte potatoes from March to April after chitting them in February or March. They are commonly grown as second early potatoes and harvested in July or August.
When do you plant Maris Piper potatoes?
Plant Maris Piper potatoes in April. They are usually grown as a maincrop variety, harvested from late summer into autumn once the foliage dies back.
Can I plant potatoes in July?
Yes, July planting is mainly used for Christmas potatoes in bags or containers. Use suitable late seed potatoes and protect plants as autumn weather turns colder.
When are potato plants ready to harvest?
Early potatoes are often ready once plants flower or begin to yellow. Maincrop potatoes are usually ready after the foliage dies back, harvesting from August to October.
Can potatoes be grown in bags?
Yes. First earlies and Christmas potatoes are especially useful in bags because containers warm quickly, fit small spaces and make harvesting easier.
How deep do you plant seed potatoes?
Plant seed potatoes 10–15cm deep. Deeper planting in loose, well-prepared soil encourages more tuber development along the buried stem.
Do I need to chit seed potatoes?
Not essential, but chitting gives plants a 2–3 week head start. It’s most beneficial for first and second earlies where the growing season is short.
Why are my potato leaves turning yellow?
In maincrop varieties, yellowing foliage from late summer is normal and signals that tubers are maturing. Earlier yellowing may indicate blight, nutrient deficiency, or waterlogging.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
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Last verified 2026-07-27
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