Potatoes are hugely versatile and are a staple ingredient of many meals in one form or another.
There are three main types – first earlies, second earlies and maincrops depending on when they are planted and harvested.
Potatoes need a sunny site away from frost pockets – the newly emerging foliage is susceptible to frost damage.
It’s important to keep light away from the developing new potatoes as light turns them green and green potatoes are poisonous.
Seed tubers should be planted around late March for first earlies, early to mid-April for second earlies and mid- to late April for maincrops.

Growing

Tubers are ready to plant when the shoots are about 2.5cm (1in) long.
The traditional way is to dig a narrow trench 12.5cm (5in) deep. The seed tubers are spaced 30cm (12in) apart in rows 60cm (24in) for earlies and 37.5cm (15in) in rows 75cm (30in) apart for maincrop varieties.
When the stems are about 23cm (9in) carefully draw the soil up to the stems and cover them to produce a flat-topped ridge about 15cm (6in) high.
For growing in large containers, line the bottom 15cm (6in) of the container with potting compost and plant the seed tuber just below this. As the new stems start growing, continue adding compost until the container is full.
A liquid feed of a balanced general fertiliser every fortnight can help increase yields.

Harvesting

First earlies should be ready in June and July, second earlies in July and August, maincrops from late August through October.
With earlies, the tubers are ready to harvest when they are the size of hens’ eggs. With maincrops wait until the foliage turns yellow, then cut it and remove it. Leave for 10 days before harvesting the tubers.