Plant now for potatoes in July

The traditional time to plant seed potatoes is St. Patrick’s Day, but don’t worry you still have plenty of time as the weather is still a little cold.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Mar 2015, 23:00 BST
John Shannon. INLT 13-802-CONJohn Shannon. INLT 13-802-CON
John Shannon. INLT 13-802-CON

Before planting remove all perennial weeds and dig out a trench roughly 20-25cm deep line the trench with a layer of well-rotted manure (available in the garden centre). Space each seed potato in the trench 30cm apart for early varieties and 40cm apart for main crop varieties.

The distance between each trench should be 60cm – 75cm. At the time of planting, apply a high phosphate fertiliser such as Westland Potato and Vegetable fertiliser or Westland General Growmore. After planting, back fill the trench and by the end of April, or sooner, if we get good weather the green shoots will start to appear.

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If we get a late frost, protect the green shoots with frost protection fleece or bury the shoots with top soil. First early varieties should be ready to dig early July. Always keep the potatoes well watered should they require it. There are still seed potatoes available in the garden centre for planting now.

Think of that lovely dinner in front of you with your own grown potatoes, what a mouth-watering thought.

Happy gardening.

John Shannon

Inver Garden Centre