Do I need to chit my spuds?
Yes, chitting your spuds is ideal to give them a head start. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks. The sprouts should be dark purple (indicating they're getting enough light), not white. Chit your potatoes in a well-lit area but avoid direct sunlight.
How do I grow potatoes in pots?
To grow potatoes in pots, fill the pot 1/3 full of a mix of garden soil, compost, and potato fertiliser. Place the spuds in and cover them with more garden soil and compost, leaving space at the top to create a water reservoir. Water regularly and feed the plants as they grow. Once they're ready, tip the pot over to harvest.
How do I grow potatoes in the garden?
Dig a trench about 40cm deep. Add a handful of potato fertiliser per metre of trench, then add 5cm of compost. Place the potatoes in and backfill the trench with a compost and soil mixture.
Do I need to mound the soil?
Yes, mounding helps protect the new potatoes from sunburn and pests. You can mound them at planting by creating a 30-40cm mound or mound the plants gradually by piling 10cm of soil around the shoots as they reach about 15cm tall. Repeat until maturity.
What is the best potato to plant?
It depends on your preferences and use. Visit the store's potato board and consult with staff for various suggestions suited to your needs.
A late frost caught me. How do I save my crop?
Before the sun hits, cover the plants with newspaper to protect the leaves. Once the frost has melted, remove the paper. Once the frost has damaged the crop, little can be done.
What are these holes in my spuds?
These holes are caused by wireworms, which can also affect carrots. To prevent them next season, plant mustard as a green crop in late autumn and dig it into the soil after six weeks. Potassium permanganate may also help as a preventative.
What is the scab on my potato?
Scab is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. Incorporating gypsum at planting time can help prevent it.
What is potato psyllid?
Potato psyllids are insects that inject toxins into plants, causing rapid crop death. Prevention is key—use Neem granules at planting and reapply every six weeks or use sprays like Success Ultra or Mavrik. Harvest potatoes before high summer to avoid this pest.
What is blight?
Blight is a fungal disease that thrives in hot, humid conditions. To avoid it, buy certified seed potatoes, choose blight-resistant varieties, and harvest early before the hot weather sets in.
Why do I have a lot of leaves but not many potatoes?
This could be due to an excess of nitrogen in the soil and a lack of potassium. To promote better root and tuber development, use a balanced potato fertiliser that contains more potassium.
Why are my potatoes small?
Potatoes may be small if they’re not ready to harvest or the soil is too light. Potatoes prefer heavy, well-mixed soil with compost.
How long until I harvest?
Most potato varieties take about 90-100 days but check the bag for specific timelines. If in doubt, dig up one plant to assess the size of the potatoes.
Do all potatoes flower?
No, not all potatoes flower. The crop is typically ready to harvest once it reaches maturity or when the shoots wither and die.
Can I plant potatoes from the supermarket?
It’s not recommended. Supermarket potatoes may carry viruses and could be treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting.
For more detailed guidance, you can grab a copy of the Oderings Gardening Guide on growing potatoes in-store or online.
