You also maybe interested in these other S plants
These are other species/cultivars listed on site
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Solanum tuberosum Basic Information (UK)
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Family: |
Solanaceae |
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Common Names: |
Potato The name is derived from
the Carrib Indian word for the sweet potato
Other Names Aardappel, Grumbir, Irish Potato, JAGAIMO, Kartoffel,
Papa, Patata, Patates, Pomme De Terre, T'U Yu, Zyaga-Imo, |
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Hardiness: |
Tender perennial (UK) Zone 8 (USA) |
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Growth Rate: |
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Flower Colours: |
White Purple |
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Flower Period: |
May June |
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Spacing between rows: |
60cm for early varieties
80cm for main crop varieties |
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Spacing between plants: |
30cm for early varieties
40cm for main crop varieties |
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Planting Depth: |
12cm |
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Harvest Time |
June to October (See
diary) |
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Position: |
Sunny, avoid frost pockets |
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Soil: |
practically any soil will grow
potatoes. Dislikes water logged soil. |
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Other Features: |
Potatoes are an excellent crop
to break up new or untended ground. A red fruit develops if left. |
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Fragrant: |
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Poisonous: |
Any green part of the plant. This
includes green tubers |
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Calendar |
Your year guide |
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Cultivation: |
Cultivation Links |
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Propagation: |
Propagation Links |
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Medicinal Uses: |
Medicinal Uses Links |
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Edible Uses:
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Edible
Uses Links
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Other Uses:
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Other Uses
Links
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Suppliers:
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Suppliers
Links
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General Sites: |
General Sites |
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Photographs/Drawings: |
Photographs etc |
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Problems: |
Got a Problem? |
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Tools needed: |
Tools |
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Techniques |
Planting Techniques
etc |
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Snippets: |
Sites having snippets of information |
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Plants for a future a wealth of knowledge here
University
of Illinois Extension is a good site to visit
DEFRA
covers plant passporting for the UK
The
British Potato Council website
is more towards commercial growing
If can interpret the information
you can find out the relative advantages of some of the varieties
at Allnew
How to grow potatoes from
HDRA
Discover the virtues of each variety
Gardeners guide
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University
of Illinois Extension
HDRA offers advice
on choosing the correct potato for your site and table.
How to grow potatoes from
HDRA
Growing Potatoes from
HDRA
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University
of Illinois Extension
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Plants for a future
University
of Illinois Extension
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Home |
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Clicking here could help
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Crocus
Dobies
Thompson
& Morgan
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If you need to store a large amount
of potatoes i.e. your a farmer then check out this site
Farm Electronics
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Potatoes grown by a special cultural
method in that they are not hilled or cultivated after planting
are sometimes called Straw Potatoes
More at
University
of Illinois Extension
How to grow potatoes without digging
More at HDRA
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Pests and disease fact sheet at
HDRA is
worth a read
Information on
Colorado Beetle
at
DEFRA
including photos and contact information etc.
Common
Scab (Streptomyces scabies) information
at HDRA
Potato and tomato
blight (Phytophthora infestans)
fact sheet at
HDRA is
another good read.
Pictures of Potato
Blight
Potato
Eelworm information at
HDRA
Potato
blackleg (Erwinia carotovora) information at
HDRA
Slugs information at
HDRA
Thompson
& Morgan sell dithane 945 that protects your crops from blight
and other fungal infections
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Tools an Equipment Needed
A garden spade is required to prepare
the ground.
A garden fork is required for preparing
the ground and digging up the crop.
A Draw how is needed to pull soil
up to the stems for earthing-up.
A potato dibber can be used for planting
potatoes.
A potato
planter can be obtained to make the job easier.
Visit
Ferdale Lodge for more details.
A potato barrel can produce a good
yield on your patio or in a greenhouse.
Visit
Ferdale Lodge for more details.
Visit
Thompson & Morgan for details
too.
Once you have dried the potatoes
you need to store them. Hessian sacks allow the potatoes to breath
preventing sweating, whilst still keeping the light out
Thompson
& Morgan sell potato sacks.
Although a general fertiliser can
be used, a purpose made fertiliser may reveal better results.
Thompson
& Morgan sell one that is approved by the Soil Association.
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The Solanum tuberosum
Year
Jan Feb
Mar Apr May
Jun Jul Aug
Sep Oct Nov
Dec
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If you planted some in a warm greenhouse
last year these can be eaten now
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Time to obtain your seed potatoes.
Place the tubers into egg trays or other similar shape container,
with the eyes uppermost. Keep in a light frost proof place. When
time to plant you should have some sturdy shoots.
The above method is called chitting and although not essential for
main crop potatoes it is vital for new potatoes
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Late March is the time to put your
early potatoes in.
An allotment holder near mine called
Jim is of Irish origin and always plants on the 17 this being St
Patrick's Day. Results seem to be okay.
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Second early varieties planting
takes place in the first half of this month
Main crop varieties in the second half of this month
The flower buds on the early varieties
should be forming.
Protect shoots from frost.
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The first week is really the last
time to get your potatoes in
The flower buds on the early varieties
should be forming.
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Watch for the flower buds opening
and dropping on early varieties because this is the time to check
to see if they are ready for harvesting.
Carefully remove some soil from the ridge and examine the tubers.
Harvest when they are the size of an egg.
Remove all tubers even the smallest or
you will regret it next year
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Carefully remove some soil from
the ridge on early and second early varieties and examine the tubers.
Harvest when they are the size of an egg.
Remove all tubers even the smallest or
you will regret it next year
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Potatoes can be lifted now for
immediate use.
When the haulm as turned brown
on main crop potatoes, cut the haulm off and remove. Wait 10 days
and then lift the roots out. Leave the tubers to air dry before
storing.
Remove all tubers even the smallest or
you will regret it next year
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When the haulm as turned brown
on main crop potatoes, cut the haulm off and remove. Wait 10 days
and then lift the roots out. This is bet done when the soil is dry
because the potatoes will be cleaner. Leave the tubers to
air dry before storing.
Remove all tubers even the smallest or
you will regret it next year
Dig over the soil and incorporate
manure compost peat if not already done for the previous crop.
Use land that has not not grown potatoes for the last 2 seasons
longer is better.
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Dig over the soil and incorporate
manure compost peat if not already done for the previous crop.
Use land that has not not grown potatoes for the last 2 seasons
longer is better.
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Dig over the soil and incorporate
manure compost peat if not already done for the previous crop.
Use land that has not not grown potatoes for the last 2 seasons
longer is better.
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