When To Plant Potatoes UK
In most UK gardens, plant potatoes from March to April once the soil is workable, not waterlogged, and the worst frost risk is easing. First earlies usually go in from late March or early April, second earlies from late March to April, and maincrop potatoes are usually planted in April.
Use this guide for potato planting dates, variety timing, harvest windows, growing in bags and common mistakes. If you are planning a wider season, record chitting, planting, earthing up and harvest dates in the UK Vegetable Garden Planner PDF.
Potato Planting Visual Guide
The SoilCommander potato short is a quick visual reminder. Use it with the table below so the planting window matches the potato type, soil conditions and harvest timing you want.
Watch the potato growing short on YouTube.
Potato Planting Dates By Type
| Potato type | Planting window | Typical harvest | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| First early potatoes | Late March to April | June to July | Small new potatoes and early harvests. |
| Second early potatoes | Late March to April | July to August | Follow-on new potatoes and smaller spaces. |
| Maincrop potatoes | April | August to October | Larger crops, storage and bigger yields. |
| Christmas potatoes | July to early August in containers | Late autumn to Christmas with protection | Container growing and late novelty harvests. |
How To Plant Potatoes
- Chit seed potatoes in a cool, bright place before planting, especially first and second earlies.
- Wait until soil is workable and not waterlogged.
- Plant seed potatoes with shoots facing upward.
- Earth up shoots as they grow to protect tubers and reduce greening.
- Water during dry spells, especially when tubers are forming.
- Harvest according to type and plant condition rather than only the calendar.
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.
When To Harvest Potatoes
Harvest first earlies around June to July, second earlies around July to August, and maincrop potatoes from August to October. First and second early potatoes are often ready when plants have flowered or the foliage begins to yellow. Maincrop potatoes are usually left until the foliage dies back, then lifted on a dry day so the skins can set before storage.
Common Potato Planting Mistakes
- Planting into cold, wet soil.
- Forgetting frost protection for early shoots.
- Using diseased or supermarket tubers instead of seed potatoes.
- Crowding plants too tightly.
- Letting containers or potato bags dry out.
- Harvesting maincrop potatoes before they have had time to bulk up.
Related UK Growing Guides
- UK vegetable planting calendar
- How to grow potatoes UK
- What to plant in March UK
- What to plant in April UK
- UK Vegetable Garden Planner PDF
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 because they are usually grown as a maincrop variety. Harvest them from late summer into autumn once the plants have finished growing.
Can I plant potatoes in July?
Yes, July planting is mainly used for Christmas potatoes in bags or containers. Use suitable late seed potatoes or stored tubers 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, with 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.
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.