Growing Quality Potatoes

We now have varieties that are recognised by name, such as Charlotte, Orla and Golden Wonder, mainly due to good cooking and eating qualities.

Seed

The potato crop is grown from “seed potatoes”. They are grown in a low disease environment so that they are healthier and less likely to pass diseases down to the “daughter crop”. Seed is held in a cold store until February or March, when it is warmed. The “eyes” of the potatoes are the slightly sunken areas that produce sprouts or “chits” when warmed.

Ground Preparation

Potatoes are deep rooting crops and require a large volume of well-worked soil. Land is ploughed, deep ridged and de-stoned to create an easy tilth prior to planting.

The seed is planted at a depth of 10-15cm and from 12 to 30cm apart. Once a row of seed potatoes has been planted, a ridge of soil is formed around 50cm wide and high.

Crop Development

The mother tuber will start to develop roots and a sprout. The sprout will push its way towards the surface and when it emerges through the soil, green leaves begin to develop. Under the ground sprouts develop and produce “daughter tubers”. Each plant produces 10 to 30 tubers, depending upon the variety.