When to plant Potatoes in the UK

Solanum tuberosum

Potato
Potato · 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

Add to garden
Sow indoors July to August, plant out August, harvest December to January.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNo
HarvestYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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.

  1. 01

    Chit Seed Potatoes

    mid-July to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Place seed potatoes eyes-up in egg boxes in a cool, light place from mid-July to early August. This encourages sturdy shoots over 4–6 weeks before planting.

  2. 02

    Plant in Bags

    early August to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant chitted potatoes in large bags or containers from early August to late August. Use compost and plant deep. Space bags in a sunny spot outdoors.

  3. 03

    Earth Up and Water

    late August to mid-November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Add compost to earth up the stems as they grow from late August to mid-November. Water regularly to keep the compost moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.

  4. 04

    Move Indoors

    early October to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Move the bags into a frost-free greenhouse or shed from early October to late October before the first autumn frost. This protects the plants and allows continued growth.

  5. 05

    Harvest Late Potatoes

    early December to late January UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Harvest potatoes as needed through early December to late January. 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

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.

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.