GARDENING Advice on growing potatoes

Cultivate and celebrate the humble spud


Organic growing
Hans Wieland

Recent years have seen a remarkable revival of public interest in potatoes, and potato days (yes, potato days) and festivals (yes, festivals!) have become big crowd pullers all over Europe.
There is a huge variety of new and heirloom varieties available each year, and The Organic Centre specialises in trailing organic seed potatoes like early Orla and Colleen; second early British Queen, Carlingford, Charlotte, Nicola and Toluca; main crop Setanta, Robinta, Remarka, Record, Bintje, Lady Balfour, Maris Piper, Pink Fir Apple and Valor; and late main crop Cara and Sarpo Mira.
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of potatoes is that they are fairly easy to grow and make a good crop for beginners and newly established gardens. Another reason is that they can be grown outdoors and indoors in polytunnels or glasshouses, and in barrels, tyres, tubs, grow bags, beds and fields.

Varieties
Potatoes are grouped according to the average number of days it takes to reach maturity. The following is a rough guide: Earlies need 90 days, second earlies 110 days, maincrop up to 135 days and late maincrop up to 160 days. Potatoes from any group can be planted at any time. For example, earlies can be planted late and maincrops early. An old Irish saying that I learned from a neighbour in 1987 says “You can plant potatoes as long as you can look through an Ash tree” – works for me!
Earlies are best grown if space is limited, as they also give the quickest return and are less susceptible to blight and other diseases. They can be grown as a first crop in polytunnels and can be harvested at the beginning of June to make way for other crops like peppers.
Potatoes are also grown as a pioneer crop in new gardens to break and improve the soil. They can be grown on a wide range of soils, but deep, fertile soil, manured the previous autumn or winter gives best yields.

Watering
Potatoes are a thirsty crop, and the right amount of watering is vital for yield and quality. This is especially important for crops grown in polytunnels, which should be watered two to three times a week, ideally in the morning. Water early varieties grown outside in dry conditions once a week. Main crops generally don’t need watering, except on very light soils.
According to potato expert Chris Bird, England: “The key time to water is just before the foliage canopy closes over between the rows. If you water at this time, you will get the best response from the potatoes and they will bulk up well. You don’t need to water regularly, as this will only serve to encourage slugs.”
Organic gardener Joy Larkcom recommends ‘one heavy watering’ at a rate of around 25 litres per sqm when the new potatoes are the size of marbles. You can also feed the plants by adding liquid seaweed. If you’re growing in barrels or bags, water regularly.

Top tips for great spuds

• Dip seed potatoes into soot when you plant to protect against slugs. Use slug resistant varieties like Desiree and King Edward.
• Put a layer of fresh grass clippings in the bottom of the drench before planting. It’s been proven to reduce scab problems.

The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim is holding its tenth Annual Potato Day on Sunday, March 14, from 11am to 5pm. To celebrate the humble spud, 150 varieties will be on show. The day’s programme  includes information on the best ways of planting, blight control (covering the  the new super blight strain, Blue 13, and more), varieties, a coping session and guided tours around the gardens. The Grass Roof Café will serve potato dishes and the Eco-Shop will sell seed potatoes. Entrance costs just €5 (concessions, €3; children and Friends of the Centre, free).