Planting First Earlies: When and How to Grow Potatoes

When is the Right Time for Planting First Earlies?

Planting first earlies potatoes is best undertaken when the risk of hard frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm. This typically falls between late March and April in many parts of the UK, though local conditions can vary significantly. The key is to avoid exposing delicate new shoots to freezing temperatures, which can severely damage or kill the plant.

• Plant after the last hard frost.
• Aim for soil temperatures above 7°C.
• Consider your specific microclimate.
• Chitting seed potatoes beforehand is advisable.

Before you even think about putting tubers into the ground, many gardeners opt to 'chit' their seed potatoes. This involves placing them in a bright, cool location for several weeks prior to planting. The aim is to encourage short, sturdy, green shoots to emerge from the 'eyes'. This process gives the potatoes a head start, leading to earlier growth and potentially a quicker harvest. Avoid chitting in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the emerging shoots. The tubers should be placed in a single layer in egg boxes or shallow trays, ensuring the 'rose end' (where most eyes are) is pointing upwards.

The soil temperature is a critical factor. While cold soil won't necessarily kill seed potatoes, it will significantly slow down germination and increase the risk of rot, especially if the soil is also wet. A minimum soil temperature of around 7°C is generally recommended for reliable growth. You can check this with a soil thermometer, or by observing the general state of your garden – once daffodils are in full bloom and the soil feels noticeably warmer, it's often a good indicator.

Understanding 'First Earlies'

First earlies are specifically bred for rapid growth, typically maturing in around 10-12 weeks from planting. This makes them ideal for gardeners seeking an early summer crop. Their relatively small size and tender skin are characteristic of early varieties. Unlike maincrop potatoes, which require a longer growing season, first earlies are well-suited to quicker harvests and can even be grown in containers or bags, offering flexibility for those with limited space.

Preparing the Ground

When planting first earlies, soil preparation is paramount. Whether you are planting directly into the ground or using containers, well-drained, fertile soil is essential. For traditional beds, dig the soil over to a depth of about 20-25cm, removing any weeds or large stones. Incorporate well-rotted manure or compost to enrich the soil and improve its structure. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH. If your soil tends to be heavy clay, adding grit or sand can improve drainage, while for very sandy soils, more organic matter will help retain moisture.

The success of your first earlies crop hinges on preparing the soil for optimal drainage and nutrient availability.

The Importance of Location

Potatoes, including first earlies, thrive in full sun. Choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This is vital for photosynthesis and the development of tubers. Avoid planting in areas that have recently grown potatoes, tomatoes, or aubergines, as these are all from the Solanaceae family and share common diseases and pests, such as potato blight. Rotating your crops annually helps to prevent the build-up of soil-borne pathogens and nutrient depletion.

How to Plant Your Seed Potatoes

Once you've selected your location and prepared the soil, the actual process of planting first earlies is straightforward. The most common methods involve planting in trenches or 'earths' for garden beds, or using dedicated containers like grow bags or pots. Whichever method you choose, the principle is the same: provide enough space for the plant to grow and for tubers to develop, while protecting them from light which can turn them green and toxic.

For traditional trench planting, dig a trench approximately 10-15cm deep. Place your chitted seed potatoes along the bottom of the trench, spacing them about 20-30cm apart. Ensure the shoots are pointing upwards. If planting multiple rows, space the trenches about 60-75cm apart to allow ample room for earthing up later. Once planted, cover the tubers gently with about 5-7cm of soil.

→ How to Plant Potatoes

Planting First Earlies in Pots and Bags

Growing potatoes in pots or grow bags offers a fantastic alternative, particularly for patios, balconies, or small gardens. Start by filling your chosen container – a grow bag, a large pot (at least 30cm in diameter), or a purpose-made potato planter – with a good quality compost mixed with some well-rotted manure or garden soil. Ensure the container has drainage holes.

Place 2-3 seed potatoes at the bottom of the container, spaced apart, with the shoots pointing upwards. Cover them with about 7-10cm of compost. As the potato plants grow, you will need to add more compost, a process known as 'earthing up', until the container is nearly full. This encourages more tubers to form along the buried stem and protects developing potatoes from light.

The key to successful container growing is ensuring adequate depth for tubers and sufficient material for regular earthing up.

Tip: For grow bags, start by folding the top down to make it easier to fill and plant. Unfold it as the plants grow and you need to add more compost.

Spacing and Depth Considerations

Correct spacing and depth are crucial for maximising your yield and ensuring healthy growth. Planting too close together restricts root development and tuber formation, leading to smaller, fewer potatoes. Planting too deep can delay emergence and increase the risk of rot, especially in cooler, wetter soils. The initial covering of 5-7cm of soil is usually sufficient. As the foliage grows, you'll add more soil around the base of the stems – this 'earthing up' is a vital part of growing a potato plant, protecting the tubers from sunlight and encouraging further tuber development.

Alternatives for Limited Space

If traditional garden beds are not an option, consider alternative methods for planting first earlies. Stackable planters or even sturdy sacks can be adapted. Some gardeners even use old tyres, stacked one on top of another, adding soil as the plants grow. For a truly minimal space, single potato plants can be grown in very large containers, though yields will naturally be smaller than in larger grow bags or beds.

Caring for Your Growing Potato Plants

Once your first earlies are planted, attentive care will ensure a healthy crop. The most critical aspect of care for potato plants is watering and earthing up. Consistent moisture is vital, particularly during tuber formation. Irregular watering can lead to issues like misshapen tubers or 'hollow heart'. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging, which can encourage fungal diseases.

Earthing up, as mentioned, is the process of drawing soil up around the base of the stems as the plant grows. This is typically done when the plants reach about 15-20cm in height. You can use a hoe or a trowel to draw soil from between the rows or the sides of the container up towards the main stem. Repeat this process every few weeks as the plants grow, usually two or three times in total. This not only protects the tubers from light, preventing them from turning green and developing solanine (a toxic compound), but also encourages the plant to produce more tubers along the buried stems.

Watering Needs

First earlies generally require consistent moisture, especially from the time they start to flower until they are ready for harvest. Aim to keep the soil or compost evenly moist, but not saturated. A good watering regime involves soaking the soil thoroughly rather than frequent, shallow sprinklings. This encourages deeper root growth. In very hot weather, you may need to water daily, particularly for container-grown crops which dry out faster.

→ Grow Potatoes in a Bucket: Avoid Common Pitfalls

Feeding Your Potatoes

While good soil preparation with compost or manure provides a solid foundation, additional feeding can benefit first earlies, especially when grown in containers or nutrient-poor soil. A balanced liquid feed, applied every 2-4 weeks once the plants are established (usually after the first earthing up), can help support vigorous growth and tuber development. Avoid feeds that are too high in nitrogen, as this can encourage lush foliage at the expense of tuber production.

The protective action of earthing up is as crucial for tuber quality as it is for yield.

Pest and Disease Management

Keep a watchful eye for common potato pests and diseases. Slugs and snails can be a problem, especially in damp conditions, and may need to be managed with barriers or organic slug pellets. The most significant disease is potato blight, which can devastate a crop quickly, particularly in humid weather. Good air circulation, crop rotation, and prompt removal of any affected foliage are the best preventative measures. If blight is suspected, affected plants should be removed and destroyed to prevent spread.

Vigilance against pests and diseases is key to protecting your planting first earlies investment.

What to Expect: Potato Plants Blooming

Seeing your potato plants blooming is a positive sign that the tubers are developing underground. The flowers are typically small and star-shaped, ranging in colour from white to pink or purple, depending on the variety. While the flowers are attractive, they are not indicative of the tuber size or quality. The main indicator of readiness for harvest is the death of the foliage. For first earlies, this usually occurs around 10-12 weeks after planting.

When to Harvest First Earlies

The anticipation of harvesting your first potatoes is a highlight of the gardening year. For first earlies, the signal for harvest is not the blooming flowers, but rather the wilting and dying back of the foliage. This typically occurs between 10 to 12 weeks after planting, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions. Waiting until the haulms (stems and leaves) begin to yellow and die back ensures the tubers have reached their full size and maturity.

If you're eager for a taste of your new potatoes, you can perform an 'early lift' or 'rob the rows' about two weeks before the haulms are expected to die back. Carefully dig around the base of the plant with your hands or a small hand fork, seeking out the larger tubers. This allows you to harvest some of the crop while leaving the rest to grow on. Be gentle to avoid damaging the developing potatoes. This method is particularly useful for container-grown potatoes, allowing you to harvest as needed.

The Harvesting Process

Once the haulms have completely died back, it's time for the main harvest. For potatoes grown in the ground, gently loosen the soil around the plants with a fork or spade, taking care not to spear the tubers. Lift the plants carefully and gather all the potatoes. It's advisable to harvest on a dry day to allow the potatoes to dry slightly before storing them. If harvested when wet, they are more prone to rot.

For potatoes in grow bags or pots, tip the entire contents out onto a clean sheet or tarpaulin. Rummage through the compost and soil to find all the harvested tubers. It's often surprising how many potatoes can be produced from a single bag or pot.

Harvesting your first earlies on a dry day significantly improves their storage potential.

→ Can You Plant Potatoes in September? Growing Guide

Storing Your Harvest

First earlies are best eaten fresh and do not store well for extended periods compared to maincrop varieties. They have a thinner skin and higher moisture content, making them susceptible to shrivelling or rotting if stored improperly. If you do have a surplus, store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. Avoid washing them before storage; brush off any excess soil instead. They will typically keep for a week or two under these conditions.

Post-Harvest Considerations

After harvesting your first earlies, the soil in your garden beds can be prepared for a second crop if your climate allows, or amended with compost for future plantings. For containers, empty the compost and add it to your garden beds or compost bin; it will have been depleted of nutrients. Clean pots and bags thoroughly before storing them away, ready for the next planting season. Remember to practice good crop rotation for the following year to maintain soil health and reduce disease risk.

When to Grow Potatoes Generally

The broader question of when to grow potatoes encompasses early, second early, and maincrop varieties. While first earlies are planted in spring for an early summer harvest, second earlies are planted slightly later and mature a few weeks after the first earlies. Maincrop varieties have the longest growing season, planted in spring and harvested in late summer or autumn. Understanding these different maturation times allows for a continuous supply of potatoes throughout the season, from early summer through to winter storage.

Comparing Growing Methods for First Earlies

When it comes to planting first earlies, the method you choose can significantly impact convenience, yield, and suitability for your available space. Each approach has distinct advantages and disadvantages, making the 'best' method highly dependent on individual circumstances and preferences. Understanding these differences can help you select the optimal way to grow your potatoes.

Traditional planting in open ground offers the most straightforward method for those with garden beds. It requires minimal upfront investment in containers and allows for potentially larger yields due to greater root spread and soil volume. However, it demands more physical effort in soil preparation and weeding, and is less feasible for those without access to a garden. The soil needs to be well-drained and fertile, and crop rotation is particularly important to prevent disease build-up.

Growing Bags vs. Pots

For gardeners with limited space, such as on patios or balconies, grow bags and pots are excellent alternatives. Grow bags are specifically designed for potatoes, offering good drainage and being relatively lightweight. They allow for easy 'earthing up' by simply folding down the top as the plant grows. Pots, particularly large ones (at least 30cm diameter), also work well, but ensure they have ample drainage holes. The primary challenge with both is managing moisture; they can dry out quickly, requiring more frequent watering than ground planting. They also benefit from regular feeding as nutrients can leach out.

Dedicated Potato Planters

Purpose-made potato planters, often made from fabric or plastic, offer similar benefits to grow bags but can sometimes provide better insulation and drainage. These often feature an access flap at the bottom, allowing for 'rob the rows' harvesting without disturbing the whole plant. Like grow bags, they require careful attention to watering and feeding, especially during dry or hot weather.

Choosing the right growing method ensures you maximise your harvest potential within your specific environment.

Considerations for Every Method

Regardless of whether you're planting first earlies in the ground, bags, or pots, several factors remain constant. Good quality seed potatoes are essential; look for certified stock to minimise disease risk. Adequate sunlight is non-negotiable. Consistent watering, especially as tubers develop, is crucial. And while the 'how' of earthing up varies slightly between methods, the principle of keeping developing tubers away from light remains a core requirement for growing a healthy potato plant.