Potatoes in Manchester
Solanum tuberosum
Potatoes are popular tuberous vegetables that are easy to grow and provide a versatile harvest for the kitchen. They are herbaceous perennials grown as annuals, native to South America and part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). UK gardeners typically group potatoes by harvest time: first earlies (new potatoes), second earlies, and maincrop. First and second earlies produce smaller 'new' potatoes earlier in the summer, while maincrop varieties mature later and yield larger potatoes for storage. Potatoes grow best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Regular watering and 'earthing up' (mounding soil around the stems) as they grow will help produce a good crop and prevent tubers from turning green.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Potato
Planting Calendar
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Growing second early potatoes outdoors for a summer harvest.
1 Chit Seed Potatoes
Chit your second early seed potatoes before planting. Place them in a single layer somewhere cool and light for a few weeks to develop sturdy sprouts.
2 Plant Second Earlies
Plant your chitted second earlies in prepared soil outside. Bury the tubers about deep and space them apart, with roughly between rows. Cover the seed potatoes with soil, firm gently, and water them in. Provide fleece protection if a late frost is forecast.
3 Earth Up
As the second early potato shoots grow to ~15cm, periodically hill up soil around their stems. This protects the young potatoes from sunlight and supports the plant. Continue earthing up every week or two until flowering, leaving just the tops of the plants exposed each time.
4 Harvest
By July to August in Manchester, your second early potatoes should be ready to lift. The plants will have flowered and may start to yellow. Gently dig up the tubers and allow them to dry for a few hours before storing. Second earlies are often enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a short period in a cool, dark place.
Companion Plants
Plants that grow well (or poorly) with Potato
Why Companion Planting Matters
Companion planting can help deter pests, improve pollination, enhance growth, and maximize garden space. Some plants release chemicals that repel pests or attract beneficial insects, while others can improve soil quality or provide shade for sensitive plants.
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