You may not have noticed the rise in the cost of potatoes over the last couple of years, as the increase can get lost amid the general rise in the cost of living. However, as inflation promises to steady, the cost of potatoes is set to keep on rising. Save the pain of the price hikes by growing your own.
According to “The Grower”, potato prices had risen by an average of 20% by February this year. The ongoing wet weather will have had further impact on potato growth, meaning that prices are likely to keep on rising. This is bad news for farmers, who work hard to get a good crop, and who bear most of the brunt of rising costs. But the good news for consumers is that potatoes are relatively easy – and fun! To grow. Here’s what you need to know.
Which potatoes should you choose?
There are lots of different varieties of potatoes, but they tend to come in two categories: early and maincrop. Early potatoes (or new potatoes) are the small, sweet ones that tend to be cooked whole. They grow quickly and can be ready to harvest within three months. The advantage of earlies is that they don’t take up a huge amount of space, so you can grow them in small pots if you are short on space. And because you harvest earlies relatively quickly, they free up space for other veg.
Maincrop potatoes are the bigger ones, which make great roasters or bakers, and can be stored for use during the winter. These take longer to mature before they can be harvested.
What do seed potatoes look like?
Seed potatoes are small tubers that look exactly the same as the ones that you buy in the shops. However, seed potatoes are certified as being virus free so are more likely to produce healthy potato plants. You normally buy seed potatoes in the winter or spring, if you want to grow potatoes for a special Christmas crop, you may need to wait until June or July, in which case you will probably need to get them from a specialist shop by mail order.
When should I plant potatoes?
The best time to plant your potatoes is sometime between March and May. Generally, earlies can be planted earlier for enjoyment during the summer, and main crops can be planted later, for harvesting in the autumn. If you want earlies, there is no harm in planting them now; you will be treated to a lovely crop of new potatoes in August. The reason that people would normally recommend planting earlies earlier is so that the space is freed up for planting main crops in the summer.
If you are unsure of what to plant, or when, get in touch with a local gardener who will be able to help you to get on the right track. If you are ready to have a go, order your seed potatoes and get your planters ready, and follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or X for next week’s instalment!