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 March to April, plant out April to May, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

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 first early potatoes for a quick harvest of new potatoes in early summer. Plant in spring and harvest when the plants start to flower.

  1. 01

    Chit Seed Potatoes

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

    Place seed potatoes eyes-up in egg boxes in a cool, light place like a windowsill from late March to early April. This encourages sturdy shoots to form over 4–6 weeks before planting.

  2. 02

    Plant Outdoors

    mid-April to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant chitted potatoes in trenches or containers from mid-April to early May. Space them apart and cover with of soil. Protect early shoots with fleece if frost is forecast.

  3. 03

    Earth Up

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

    Draw soil up around the stems as they grow from early May to late June. This prevents tubers turning green and toxic, and protects shoots from late frosts. Repeat every few weeks until the mound is about high.

  4. 04

    Water and Feed

    late May to mid-July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially when tubers are swelling from late May to mid-July. Apply a balanced liquid feed every 14 days to support growth.

  5. 05

    Harvest First Earlies

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

    Harvest new potatoes from late June to early August 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.

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.