There’s nothing quite like the taste of homegrown potatoes, and with a little planning and care, you can enjoy fresh, delicious spuds even on Christmas Day! By starting the planting process in late summer, you can ensure a bountiful harvest in December. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure a bountiful harvest that will make your Christmas meal extra special.
Protecting from Frost
As the weather cools and the threat of frost approaches, move your containers into a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. This protection is vital to prevent damage to the plants and ensure a healthy harvest.
Choosing the Right Container
Containers are ideal for managing the growing environment, making it easier to protect your potatoes from frost by moving them to a greenhouse or conservatory as needed. First, select a container that is at least 30 litters in size, this allows enough room for the potatoes to grow and develop properly.
Understanding Potato Varieties
There are two main types of potatoes: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate potatoes, such as Pentland Javelin and Charlotte, grow their tubers at the same level, making them easier to manage in containers. Indeterminate potatoes, on the other hand, produce tubers at multiple levels and require a process called ‘earthing up’ as they grow.
Planting Determinate Potatoes
Prepare the container by filling your container one-third full with compost.
Plant 2 or 3 seed potatoes on top of the compost, spacing them out evenly, add more compost, then fill the container to two-thirds full add another 2 or 3 seed potatoes. Be careful not to place the second layer directly over the first. Finally top up the container with compost until it is almost full.
Planting Indeterminate Potatoes
Fill the container one-third full with compost and place the seed potatoes in the compost.
As the potato foliage grows, continue to add compost until the container is full. This encourages tubers to develop at multiple levels.
Support Healthy Growth
Mix potato fertiliser into the compost when you initially plant your tubers, this provides essential nutrients to support healthy growth.
Regular watering is crucial, especially as the plants develop. Keep the compost consistently moist but not waterlogged, ensuring the potatoes have the right environment to thrive.
Harvesting Your Potatoes
With proper care and attention, your potatoes will be ready to harvest in time for Christmas. Simply tip out the container, gather your fresh spuds, and enjoy the satisfaction of homegrown produce on your Christmas table.
Growing potatoes in containers is a rewarding experience that brings a sense of achievement and delicious results. By following these guidelines, you can look forward to a festive season graced with the taste of your own, freshly harvested potatoes.
