Charlotte
A popular salad potato with waxy, yellow flesh that holds its shape well when boiled. It's reliable in UK conditions and produces a good crop of uniform tubers.
Potatoes in Birmingham
Solanum tuberosum
A staple root vegetable grown from seed potatoes, producing tubers underground. In the UK, potatoes are classified as first earlies, second earlies, or maincrop, each with different planting and harvesting times. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, and require earthing up to protect tubers from light.
60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Birmingham · last frost ≈ 27 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Growing guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Potato
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow potatoes in bags for a festive harvest in December. Plant in late summer and move indoors before frost.
01
Chit Seed Potatoes
22 Jul to 11 AugPlace seed potatoes eyes-up in egg boxes in a cool, light place from 22nd July - 11th August. This encourages sturdy shoots over 4–6 weeks before planting.
02
Plant in Bags
11 Aug to 31 AugPlant chitted potatoes in large bags or containers from 11th August - 31st August. Use compost and plant deep. Space bags in a sunny spot outdoors.
03
Earth Up and Water
11 Sept to 13 NovAdd compost to earth up the stems as they grow from 11th September - 13th November. Water regularly to keep the compost moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
04
Move Indoors
16 Oct to 30 OctMove the bags into a frost-free greenhouse or shed from 16th October - 30th October before the first autumn frost. This protects the plants and allows continued growth.
05
Harvest for Christmas
19 Dec to 18 JanHarvest potatoes as needed from 19th December - 18th January. Gently rummage in the bags to lift fresh tubers for festive meals. They won't store long, so use promptly.
Companion plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Potato.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Potato to consider
Maris Piper
A classic maincrop variety that's widely grown for its versatility and good blight resistance. It's excellent for roasting, chipping and mashing.
Rocket
An early variety that produces quick crops of white-fleshed potatoes, often ready by June. It's a good choice for gardeners wanting new potatoes early in the season.
King Edward
A heritage maincrop with distinctive pink eyes and floury white flesh that's ideal for baking and roasting. It stores well and performs reliably across the UK.
Pink Fir Apple
An unusual heritage variety with long, knobbly tubers and waxy, flavoursome flesh. It's prized for salads and holds up well in cooler UK summers.
Cara
A red-skinned maincrop with good resistance to common scab and drought tolerance. It produces large, floury tubers that are good for baking and mashing.
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