How to Grow Potatoes In The UK

Potatoes were first grown in Peru approximately 200 years ago, long before the Irish ever got a hold on these all around nutritious staple crop. Second only to dairy products, potatoes are the most well-loved and most sought out food in the western world. From French fries, potato chips, salads, and other tasty treats, the potato is a world renowned all around food.

Up to the year 1800s, growing potatoes was only generally accepted for the poor. Their taste and nutritional value has been appreciated distinctly over the last 200 years and the humble potato has now become part of the standard staple diet of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Growing potatoes usually takes up a large space in your garden, so plan carefully before deciding to plant them. It is recommended by most seasoned potato growers to concentrate on the early potato varieties and those maincrop varieties which are unsuitable for commercial growing.

There are two varieties of potato; first the "earlies" (known as new potatoes) and the "maincrop" potato. Both kinds of potato are planted in a similar manner and almost at the same time; however they are collected at different times. There are of course other in-between or other types of varieties which can be harvested between the two main potato types.

The potato plant will grow in the majority of soil types as long as it has been well dug. The soil should be clear of large stones. Compost should be added as much as possible whenever available, or bonemeal at the time of digging. It is also recommended to begin preparing the soil in mid November or December to allow it to settle before planting and letting the compost to begin to break down. Although not particular about the soil type, the potato of any type usually prefers a slightly acidic soil. This is the reason why lime is not supposed to be added during or after planting.

The potato’s Latin Name is Solanum Tuberosum. It prospers in soils that are sunny, well-dug and composted. Do not add lime by the way. The normal planting to harvesting time is from 13 to 17 weeks. Normal production is approximately: for Earlies, about 1kilogram or 2.2 pounds per 3 meters, per 10 feet row. The production is slightly less for the maincrop variety. One of the most ideal positions for potatoes is a very warm and sunny site with very little or no shade at all. The UK has a lot of such places. Do not grow your potatoes in the soil for two years consecutively. This measure is to avoid the risk of disease. For the same reason avoid planting potatoes where tomatoes were grown the previous year. The reason for this is that both plants are from the same family. Planting them back to back will almost automatically transmit diseases to each other.

Source:
For more information about how to grow potatoes, please go to this website howtogrowpotatoes.org.