When to Plant First Early Potatoes in the UK for an Early Harvest

Want to be the first on your street with homegrown new potatoes? Then you need to know exactly when to plant first early potatoes UK. These are the sprinters of the potato world, growing quickly to give you a delicious harvest much earlier than maincrop varieties. Getting the timing spot on makes a huge difference to how well they grow and how many lovely tubers you’ll be digging up later in the year. It’s all about hitting that sweet spot in the season for your early potato planting time!

Quick Answer: You can typically plant first early potatoes UK from late February to mid-April. The exact timing depends on your local climate and soil conditions, especially the soil temperature.

Understanding First Early Potatoes

So, what makes a potato a ‘first early’? Well, they’re varieties bred to grow fast and mature quickly. They usually take just 10 to 12 weeks from planting to harvest. This is much faster than second earlies (13-16 weeks) or main crop potatoes (16-20+ weeks).

They generally produce smaller tubers compared to maincrop, and their skins are thin and delicate. This means they don’t store well at all; they are really meant to be eaten fresh, often on the same day they’re harvested! Think classic new potatoes boiled and served with butter and mint – simply the best! Popular first early potato varieties UK gardeners love include ‘Casablanca’, ‘Maris Bard’, ‘Lady Christl’, and ‘Accent’. They are all about that early, fresh taste of growing new potatoes early!

When to Plant First Early Potatoes in the UK: Finding Your Perfect Timing

The big question is, when can you plant first early potatoes? The window generally opens in late February and runs through to mid-April. But, and this is a crucial point, you absolutely must consider your local conditions. Planting too early into cold, wet soil is a common mistake. Knowing the best month to plant first early potatoes UK really comes down to checking that soil temperature and understanding your local frost risk.

Potatoes need the soil to be warming up to sprout properly. Aim for a soil temperature of at least 7°C (around 45°F). If the soil is colder, the seed potatoes are more likely to rot before they get a chance to grow.

This is why gardeners in milder, southern or coastal areas might plant in late February or early March, while those further north or in colder inland spots often wait until late March or even April. Use a soil thermometer to be sure!

To get really specific, try to find your average last frost date. This date varies hugely even within a county! You can often find estimated last frost dates for your postcode by searching online for UK gardening calendars or frost date calculators. Alternatively, look at climate data from your nearest Met Office weather station to see historical frost trends. Once you have an idea of your average last frost date, you can count back the potato’s maturity time (10-12 weeks for first earlies) to find the absolute earliest you might risk planting, especially if you plan to use protection.

In my garden in the South East, I often aim for planting around the third week of March because my soil usually hits 7°C then, and we typically get our last hard frost by mid-April. I remember one year I tried planting a week earlier and lost a few shoots to a late snap – a good reminder that patience pays off!

Chitting Seed Potatoes for an Early Start

Before you even think about putting those tubers in the ground, you should really chit your first early potatoes. What is chitting? It’s simply letting the seed potatoes start sprouting in a cool, light place before planting. This process of chitting seed potatoes gives them a head start, leading to quicker growth and often a better early potato yield.

To chit your seed potatoes, place them in a single layer in a tray, egg carton, or shallow box with the end that has the most ‘eyes’ (small buds) facing upwards. Put them in a cool, bright, frost-free spot, like a porch or windowsill. Don’t put them in the dark, or they’ll grow long, weak, pale sprouts. You want short, stubby, dark green sprouts, about 1-2cm (around half an inch) long. This usually takes about 4-6 weeks, so plan backwards from your target planting date for planting first earlies UK.

Planting Techniques for First Early Potatoes

Getting your first early potatoes into the ground correctly sets them up for success. Where you plant them and how you do it matters!

Location and Soil Prep

Choose a sunny spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. First early potatoes, like maincrop, love well-drained, fertile soil. Dig in some compost or well-rotted manure the autumn before, or in early spring, to improve the soil structure and add nutrients. Make sure the soil isn’t compacted.

Consider your soil type too. Heavy clay soil warms up slower in spring and stays wetter, so you might need to wait a little longer within the planting window for conditions to be right. Sandy soil warms faster but can dry out quickly later in the season, so be mindful of watering. Good drainage is key for preventing seed potato rot, especially in early, potentially wet conditions.

Planting Depth and Spacing

For planting first earlies UK, I usually plant them about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) deep. This provides enough cover initially. Space the seed potatoes about 30cm (12 inches) apart, with about 60cm (24 inches) between rows. This gives them enough room to grow and allows for air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

Getting the potato planting depth and spacing right is part of the puzzle! According to GrowVeg.com, a common spacing guideline is 35cm (1′ 1″) apart in rows with 75cm (2′ 5″) between rows, but for first earlies, you can often get away with slightly closer spacing like 30cm (12 inches).

Container vs. Ground Planting

You don’t need a big garden to grow first early potatoes. Container potato growing is a fantastic option! Use large pots, tubs, or potato bags. Start with a layer of compost, add your chitted seed potatoes, and cover.

As the plant grows, you keep adding more compost or soil – this is part of the ‘earthing up’ process, even in containers. Containers are also great because you can move them to a more sheltered spot if late frost is forecast, providing crucial frost protection for potatoes.

Alternative: Starting Indoors for the Earliest Spuds

Want to push the boundaries for the absolute earliest new potatoes? Some keen gardeners start their chitted seed potatoes individually in small pots (like 9cm or 3-4 inch) filled with compost indoors or in a heated propagator in January or February.

They let them grow into small plants before carefully planting them out in the garden or larger containers in March or April, often under fleece or cloches. This requires more space and effort indoors but can shave a couple of weeks off the time to harvest.

Do First Early Potatoes Need Earthing Up?

This is a question I get asked a lot: Do first early potatoes need earthing up? The answer is generally yes, they do, but perhaps not as extensively as maincrop. Earthing up involves drawing soil or compost up around the base of the plant stems as they grow.

Why do it? According to the RHS, earthing up helps protect the tender young shoots from late spring frosts, prevents sunlight from reaching developing tubers near the surface (which turns them green and inedible), and encourages the plant to produce more tubers along the buried stem.

You’ll typically earth up first early potatoes when the shoots are about 15-20cm (6-8 inches) tall. Just draw soil up with a hoe or spade, covering most of the stem but leaving the top leaves showing. You might do this once or twice as they grow. It’s a simple task that really helps your early potato yield.

Best First Early Potato Varieties in the UK

Choosing the right variety is exciting! Different first early potato varieties UK offer different tastes and characteristics. Here are some popular ones I’ve grown or heard great things about, along with a quick comparison:

Variety	Maturity (Weeks)	Texture	Best Use	Disease Resistance Notes	Flavour Profile
‘Casablanca’	10-12	Waxy	Boiling, Salads	Generally good	Clean, fresh potato taste
‘Maris Bard’	10-12	Waxy	Boiling, Salads	Good	Classic ‘new potato’
‘Lady Christl’	10-12	Waxy	Boiling, Steaming	Good	Distinctive, firm flesh
‘Accent’	10-12	Waxy	Boiling, Salads	Moderate	Mild, pleasant

When choosing, think about how you like to eat potatoes and look for varieties known for good flavour and reliability in the UK climate. Some varieties might also offer better disease resistance, which is always a bonus. Checking reviews from other UK gardeners can be super helpful too! These are truly some of the best first early potato varieties UK has to offer.

Caring for Your First Early Potatoes

Once your first early potatoes are in the ground and growing, they’ll need a bit of care to ensure a healthy and tasty harvest. This first early potato care is pretty straightforward.

Watering Schedules

Consistent moisture is important, especially as the plants grow and start forming tubers. Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but also avoid waterlogging. Water deeply when needed, focusing on the base of the plant. This is particularly crucial if you’re growing potatoes in containers, as they dry out faster.

Fertilization Practices

If you prepared your soil well with compost or manure, your first early potatoes should have enough nutrients to get going. You can give them a light feed with a balanced fertiliser when they are about 15cm (6 inches) tall if your soil isn’t particularly rich. Don’t overfeed, especially with nitrogen, as this can lead to lots of leafy growth but fewer tubers.

Pest and Disease Prevention

Even early in the season, pests and diseases can be a bother. Slugs and snails might nibble young growth – keep an eye out and use slug traps or barriers if needed. Cold, wet soil can sometimes lead to seed potato rot or slow, weak emergence. Ensure good drainage before planting.

The big one to watch for is potato blight, though it’s less common on first earlies than maincrop because they are harvested earlier, often before blight conditions are peak. Still, it’s wise to be aware. Ensure good airflow by proper spacing. If you spot any signs of blight (brown patches on leaves, white fuzzy growth underneath), remove affected material immediately.

The RHS website has excellent resources on identifying and managing potato problems, including potato blight prevention tips.

How Do I Know When My First Early Potatoes Are Ready?

This is the exciting bit! Knowing how do I know when my first early potatoes are ready to harvest is key to getting them at their prime.

Signs of Maturity

Unlike maincrop which you wait for the foliage to die back, first early potatoes are usually harvested while the foliage is still green and flowering might be happening. The main sign is simply the time elapsed since planting – around 10-12 weeks.

You can also have a little ‘rummage’ at the edge of a plant. Gently feel under the soil surface near the base of the stems. If you feel decent-sized tubers (like a large egg or bigger), they are likely ready. These are the key signs potatoes are ready to harvest early!

Harvesting Techniques

Harvesting on a dry day is best. This makes the soil easier to work. Gently loosen the soil around the plant with a fork, starting a little way from the stems to avoid spearing the tubers (it happens to the best of us!).

Lift the plant and carefully feel through the soil to gather all the potatoes. You can harvest just what you need for a meal and leave the rest to grow a little bigger, or harvest the whole plant.

Post-Harvest Handling

Because first early potatoes have thin skins, they bruise easily and don’t store well. Handle them gently. Brush off excess soil but don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them. Eat them as soon as possible after harvesting for the best flavour and texture. Enjoy them simply boiled with butter and fresh mint, or toss them into a lovely summer salad!

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Got a few quick questions about planting first earlies UK? Here are some common ones:

Key Takeaways for Planting First Early Potatoes

Want that early taste of homegrown potatoes? Here’s the lowdown on when to plant first early potatoes UK and how to succeed:

• Timing is Key: Plant from late February to mid-April, but only when the soil is warm enough (7°C / 45°F+). Use your local last frost date to help fine-tune the timing. This is the best month to plant first early potatoes UK depending on your location.
• Chit Them First: Always chit your seed potatoes for 4-6 weeks before planting to get them off to a flying start and boost your early potato yield.
• Choose the Right Spot: Pick a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil. Consider how your soil type affects warming and drainage.
• Give Them Space: Plant about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) deep, 30cm (12 inches) apart, with 60cm (24 inches) between rows. Get that potato planting depth right!
• Earthing Up Helps: Mound soil around the stems when they’re 15-20cm (6-8 inches) tall to protect them and boost yield. Yes, do first early potatoes need earthing up? Generally, yes!
• Water Wisely: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in containers.
• Harvest Early: First earlies are ready in 10-12 weeks, often before the foliage dies back. Feel for tuber size. Know how do I know when my first early potatoes are ready!
• Eat Them Fresh: These spuds don’t store well, so enjoy them soon after digging! Try them boiled with butter and mint.
• Plan for Succession: Use the space freed up in early summer for other quick crops.

Conclusion

Getting your first early potatoes in the ground at the right time is your ticket to that glorious first harvest of the season. By paying attention to the calendar, your soil temperature, chitting your seed, and providing a little care, you’ll be enjoying those delicious, tender spuds in no time. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of the gardening year, don’t you think? Knowing when to plant first early potatoes UK conditions allow is truly satisfying.

What are your favourite first early potato varieties UK? Any top tips for getting an extra early crop? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Happy planting!