GardenCalendar.co.uk
OTHER POTATO PAGES
Potatoes are reasonably tolerant of where they grow but they will produce a better crop if conditions are good as you can give them.
Potatoes are prone to damage by a few pests and diseases, the top one being potato blight however there are others. For this reason it is best to leave a gap of at least two free years between growing potatoes and other vegetables of the same type in the same soil.
One particular vegetable which are of the same type as potatoes are tomatoes. They are prone to the similar pests and diseases as each other and these can remain in the soil over a couple of winters. We strongly suggest that you read our article on crop rotation - the knowledge it will give you is invaluable.
One particular point we stress is that potato blight does not over winter in the soil in the UK. However, it does over winter in diseased potatoes left in the ground. After decades of gardening, I can assure you that where you grow potatoes, small potatoes will remain the ground, unnoticed, after harvesting. It's virtually impossible to get rid of them all however thorough you are.
The ideal soil for growing potatoes is a well drained soil which retains moisture. To beginner vegetable growers this may sound like an impossibility but it can be achieved. It's the ideal condition, but potatoes will tolerate conditions which are not perfect.
Potatoes don't like water-logged soil, it will often rot them, so heavy clay soil is definitely not ideal. But at the same time potatoes needs lots of moisture so very sandy soil will not suit them either. In a very sandy soil, water will not be retained and the potato plants are likely to be deprived of essential moisture.
The cure for both types of soil is to add lots of organic matter, aiming for a loam type of soil (neither thin and sandy nor sticky and like clay). This is the ideal type of soil for almost all vegetables. But don't get too hung up about the soil conditions, just aim, as best as you can, for a moist and well drained soil.
In the UK potatoes will tolerate partial shade well but they will be at their best in full sun.
Potato foliage is easily damaged by frost so avoid planting them in a frost pocket.
Having made the preparations above, the next step is to decide which variety(ies) of potato you want to grow. Our page on choosing the best potato variety for you is informative and helps you make the correct decision.
Potatoes grow best in a soil full of nutrients so apply a handful of fish, blood and bone per square and lightly dig it into the planting area. The best time to do this is in February.
Fish, blood and bone is an organic fertiliser in powder form which contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash. It breaks down in the soil over several months releasing a steady stream of nutrients.
OTHER POTATO PAGES
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
CONCERNING THIS PAGE, ENTER THEM BELOW.
WE WILL ANSWER ON
THIS PAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE