Planting Potatoes in August: Is It Possible?
The traditional time to plant potatoes is typically in early spring, but the question of whether you can plant potatoes in August does have a positive answer, albeit with important caveats. Planting success in August hinges on your specific climate, the variety of potato chosen, and your growing conditions. Early and second-early potato varieties are generally the most suitable candidates for a late planting, as they mature relatively quickly.
The key challenge with planting in August is ensuring the crop has enough time to mature before the first hard frosts arrive. For most regions with temperate climates, this means aiming for varieties that have a shorter growing season, usually between 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. If you choose slower-maturing maincrop varieties, they simply will not have sufficient time to develop into a usable harvest before winter sets in.
Considering your local first frost date is paramount. You need to count backward from that date by the estimated maturity period of the potato variety. If this calculation leaves you with a reasonable window, then planting potatoes in August becomes a viable option for a surprising autumnal or early winter bounty. It's an alternative strategy for those who missed spring planting or wish to extend their potato harvest season.
The success of planting potatoes in August often depends on the specific type of potato. While spring is ideal for most, some varieties are better suited to this later planting window.
Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for August Planting
When considering if you can plant potatoes in August, the selection of seed potatoes is arguably the most critical factor. Not all potato varieties are created equal when it comes to a later planting season. Maincrop varieties, which are bred for long storage and typically mature over 120-140 days, are generally unsuitable for August planting. They require a longer growing period than is available before winter arrives in most climates.
Instead, focus your attention on 'first early' or 'second early' varieties. These types are bred for a faster turnaround, typically maturing within 60-90 days. Examples of varieties known for their quicker growth include 'Swift', 'Lady Christl', and 'Charlotte' (a second early salad potato). These are more likely to reach a harvestable size before the weather turns too cold and the risk of frost becomes significant.
Factors to Consider for Variety Selection:
- Maturity Time: Always check the seed packet or description for the estimated days to maturity. Aim for varieties with fewer than 90 days.
- Disease Resistance: Some varieties offer better resistance to common potato diseases, which can be beneficial when crops are under stress from less-than-ideal planting conditions.
- Intended Use: While speed is key, consider how you plan to use the potatoes. Salad potatoes are often quicker to mature, whereas some early varieties are good for general boiling.
By carefully selecting seed potatoes that are known for their rapid development, you significantly improve your chances of a successful harvest from an August planting. It's about matching the potato's lifecycle to the remaining favourable growing conditions.
It’s not about planting any potato, but planting the *right* potato for the season.
Alternative Methods for Growing Potatoes in August
If you're keen to plant potatoes in August, especially if your soil is slow to warm or you want to get started quickly, alternative growing methods can be highly effective. These techniques often allow for better control over soil temperature, moisture, and protection from early pests, which is advantageous for a later crop.
One of the most popular and straightforward methods is using growing bags for potatoes. These containers provide a contained environment where you can add fresh, warmed compost. You can start the seed potatoes in the bag indoors or in a sheltered spot for a week or two before August truly begins, giving them a head start. As the potato plants grow, you simply add more compost to the bag, a process known as 'earthing up', encouraging more tubers to form.
Growing Potatoes in Pots or Containers:
Similar to growing bags, large pots or buckets are excellent options. Ensure they have ample drainage holes. You can plant 1-3 seed potatoes per large container, depending on its size. The advantage here is portability; you can move containers to catch more sun or shelter them from unexpected cold snaps. This is particularly useful for extending the growing season or protecting young shoots.
Raised Beds for Late Planting:
Raised beds offer another excellent alternative. They warm up faster in spring and can also be managed more easily for a late planting. The soil in a raised bed is often lighter and better drained than in the ground, which can be beneficial for potatoes needing to establish quickly. You can also add insulating mulch or covers if early autumn chills are predicted.
These methods bypass some of the challenges associated with planting directly into cooling garden soil and can provide a more controlled environment for your late-season potato plants to thrive.
What to Expect from an August Potato Planting
When you decide to plant potatoes in August, it's important to set realistic expectations for the outcome. The primary difference from a spring planting lies in the timing and the size of the eventual harvest. Instead of a large yield of mature tubers, an August planting is more likely to result in a smaller crop of 'new' or 'chat' potatoes, harvested in autumn.
These smaller tubers are often the result of the plants putting more energy into producing foliage and flowering early in their shorter growing cycle, rather than developing large numbers of substantial tubers. However, new potatoes harvested in autumn can be incredibly delicious, with a delicate flavour and waxy texture that is highly prized. They are perfect for salads or as a fresh side dish.
Harvesting Your Late Crop:
If your goal is to harvest potatoes in August or September, you are essentially aiming for a crop of young potatoes. These can typically be harvested about 10-12 weeks after planting, depending on the variety. You can often tell they are ready when the plants start to flower. If you're unsure, gently scrape away some soil at the base of the plant to check the size of the developing tubers.
The main consideration is the timing of the first frost. If a hard frost is imminent, you may need to harvest all the potatoes, regardless of size, to prevent them from being damaged by the cold. Using row covers or cloches can offer some protection against light frosts, potentially extending the growing season by a week or two, but they will not withstand severe cold.
Therefore, planting potatoes in August is less about producing a storage crop and more about enjoying a fresh, high-quality yield of early-season type potatoes later in the year. It's a rewarding strategy for extending your garden's bounty.