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 Edinburgh
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 Edinburgh · last frost ≈ 4 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Growing guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Potato
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow first early potatoes for a quick harvest of new potatoes in early summer. Plant in spring and harvest when the plants start to flower.
01
Chit Seed Potatoes
23 Mar to 6 AprPlace seed potatoes eyes-up in egg boxes in a cool, light place like a windowsill from 23rd March - 6th April. This encourages sturdy shoots to form over 4–6 weeks before planting.
02
Plant Outdoors
20 Apr to 4 MayPlant chitted potatoes in trenches or containers from 20th April - 4th May. Space them apart and cover with of soil. Protect early shoots with fleece if frost is forecast.
03
Earth Up
18 May to 22 JunDraw soil up around the stems as they grow from 18th May - 22nd June. This prevents tubers turning green and toxic, and protects shoots from late frosts. Repeat every few weeks until the mound is about high.
04
Water and Feed
1 Jun to 6 Jul every 2 weeksWater regularly to keep the soil moist, especially when tubers are swelling from 1st June - 6th July. Apply a balanced liquid feed every 14 days to support growth.
05
Harvest First Earlies
6 Jul to 26 JulHarvest new potatoes from 6th July - 26th July when the plants start to flower. Use a fork to gently lift the tubers, taking care not to damage them. Eat fresh as they don't store well.
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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