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.
When to plant Potatoes in Bristol
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 Bristol · average last frost around 19 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 | Yes | No | No | No |
| Harvest | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow a late crop from cold-stored seed potatoes in bags, moving the plants into frost-free shelter before cold weather.
01
Chit Seed Potatoes
25 Jul to 14 AugPlace seed potatoes eyes-up in egg boxes in a cool, light place from 25th July - 14th August. This encourages sturdy shoots over 4–6 weeks before planting.
02
Plant in Bags
14 Aug to 3 SeptPlant chitted potatoes in large bags or containers from 14th August - 3rd September. Use compost and plant deep. Space bags in a sunny spot outdoors.
03
Earth Up and Water
4 Sept to 26 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stageAdd compost to earth up the stems as they grow from 4th September - 26th November. Water regularly to keep the compost moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
04
Move Indoors
19 Oct to 2 NovMove the bags into a frost-free greenhouse or shed from 19th October - 2nd November before the first autumn frost. This protects the plants and allows continued growth.
05
Harvest Late Potatoes
12 Dec to 31 Jan 2028 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageHarvest potatoes as needed through 12th December - 31st January 2028. Rummage gently in the bags to lift fresh tubers and use them promptly, as this crop does not store for long.
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.
Related plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest June to September. Typical frost risk November to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest October to March. Typical frost risk November to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest July to September. Typical frost risk November to April.
Potato guides by town
See how Potato timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.