Growing potatoes

Basic advice for growing potatoes:

Plant your chitted potatoes when the soil has started to warm up, usually late March or early April (chitting simply means encouraging the seed potatoes to sprout before planting)

Start by digging a trench about 10 cm -15cm (4-6in) deep - The depth of the trench may vary slightly dependant on the variety of potato you're planting. Potatoes grow best in a rich fertile soil, with plenty of organic matter incorporated. 

Plant them about 30cm (12in) apart with 40-50cm (16-20in) between the rows. Handle with care so you do not break the shoots and gently place them into the trench so that the shoots are pointing upwards and  cover lightly with soil.

As soon as the shoots appear you can cover them with a small ridge of soil so that the shoots are just in so buried. You can do this at regular intervals and by the end of the season each plant will have a small mound around them about 10cm (4in) high. You could also add a layer of hay, straw, leaf-mould or grass clippings.

Harvesting:

Your home-grown potatoes should be ready from June until September, depending on the varieties and the growing conditions. 

For more detailed advice for growing potatoes please visit:

Garden Organic: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/gg9.php
Allotment UK: http://www.allotment.org.uk/grow-your-own/vegetables/potatoes
RHS Grow your own: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Veg-A-to-Z/Potatoes