Seed Potatoes at Beechdale Garden Centre Wexford
Time to start planning your Potatoe crop for the year ahead. Here at Beechdale Garden Centre we have 16 varieties in store with First Earlies, Second Earlies and Main Crop Potatoes to choose from including:
First Earlies – Plant End March, Harvest June-July
- Accord
- Arran Pilot
- Colleen
- Duke of York
- Home Guard
- Pentland Javelin
- Red Duke Of York
- Sharpe’s Express
Second Earlies – Plant Mid April, Harvest July – August
- British Queen
- Carlingford
- Charlotte
- Sarpo Una (Blight Resistant)
Main Crop – Plant Mid – Late April, harvest August – September
- Arran Victory
- Cara (Blight Resistant)
- Desiree
- Golden Wonder
- Kerrs Pinks
- King Edward
- Maris Piper
- Salad Blue
- Setanta
- Sarpo Blue Danube (Blight Resistant)
- Sapo Mira (Blight Resistant)
STORAGE / CHITTING POTATOES:
Remove potatoes from all packaging and place them nose end up (where most eyes appear) into either egg boxes or wooden trays containing 2.5cm ( 1″) of dry soil or compost. Store them in a light, frost-free room until several shoots (chits) appear. If there is a danger of frost, cover them lightly with dry compost and fleece for protection. When the shoots (chits) are about 2.5cm (1″) long the potatoes are then ready for planting.
PLANTING POTATOES:
Potatoes can be planted in any type of soil but should not be planted where they have already been grown within the last two years. Before planting dig the soil well adding compost and a general fertiliser. Plant the potatoes about 15cm (6″) deep with 30cm (1ft) apart, except for Main Crop potatoes, they need more room, about 45cm (1.5ft). In dry weather water liberally especially when the tubers have started to form. Protect early varieties from the late night frosts by ‘earthing up’ the soil around the shoots or covering with fleece.
HARVESTING POTATOES:
Carefully remove the soil from a small part of the ridge and if the ‘New Potatoes’ are about the size of ‘hens eggs’ they are ready for harvesting. Early varieties are ready for harvesting when the flower opens or the bud drops. Remove ALL tubers from the soil after harvesting to prevent pests and diseases.
