Growing potatoes in the garden

In short: Potatoes grow from seed tubers that are planted in loose, nutrient-rich soil in spring. They are easy to look after and give a good harvest even in a small space.

In more detail: The potato belongs to the nightshade family and is a heavy feeder. What matters most is warm soil at planting time, regular earthing up and a change of position from year to year.

In detail

• Seed potatoes: Use certified seed potatoes from a garden centre. Supermarket potatoes are often treated against sprouting and can carry diseases.
• Chitting: Set the tubers out in a light, cool place a few weeks before planting. Short, sturdy sprouts give the plants a head start.
• Planting: Usually in April or May, once the soil has warmed up. Plant the tubers about 10 cm deep, with generous spacing within and between rows.
• Earthing up: Draw soil up around the stems several times to form small ridges. This encourages more tubers and keeps them out of the light.
• Green patches: Tubers exposed to light turn green and produce toxic solanine. Cut green areas away generously or throw the tuber away.
• Diseases: Late blight is the most common fungal-like disease. Airy spacing, early varieties and watering at soil level rather than over the leaves all help.
• Colorado beetle: Pick off the beetles and their red larvae regularly and check the undersides of leaves for yellow egg clusters.
• Harvest: Early potatoes can be lifted in summer. Maincrop potatoes are harvested once the foliage has died back and the skins have set.
• Storage and crop rotation: Store in a dark, cool, frost-free place. Do not grow potatoes in the same spot for several years (fruchtfolge-im-gemuesegarten, duengen-grundlagen).