Choosing the Right Maincrop Variety

Maincrop potatoes take longer to mature than first or second earlies but deliver large yields, firm texture and excellent keeping qualities. Choose a variety that suits your taste and storage needs:

• Maris Piper – excellent all-rounder, ideal for chips and roasts
• King Edward – traditional flavour and fluffy texture
• Desiree – red-skinned, reliable and drought-tolerant
• Sarpo Mira – exceptional blight resistance
• Cara – heavy cropping and good disease resistance

Preparing the Soil

Maincrop potatoes thrive in deep, fertile soil. Before planting:

• Remove weeds and debris.
• Add plenty of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure.
• Aim for a moisture-retentive but free-draining structure.
• Avoid fresh manure immediately before planting to prevent scab.

Ideal pH: 5.0–6.5 — Soil depth: at least 30–40 cm for tuber development.

How to Plant Maincrop Potatoes

Chitting (Optional)

Chitting can produce earlier, stronger growth:

1. Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot.
2. Allow shoots to reach 2–3 cm.
3. Handle carefully to avoid snapping the sprouts.

Planting Method

• Plant from late April to early May.
• Space tubers 30–40 cm apart in rows 70–75 cm apart.
• Bury each potato 10–15 cm deep.
• Cover lightly and water well after planting.

Growing and Maintaining Your Crop

Maincrops need minimal fuss once established. Key tasks include earthing up, watering and feeding.

Earthing Up

• When shoots reach 15–20 cm, mound soil around stems to prevent tubers turning green.
• Repeat every 2–3 weeks to create tall protective ridges.

Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist during tuber formation.
• Avoid overwatering to reduce rot risk.

Feeding

• Apply a balanced potato fertiliser mid-season.
• Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that favour foliage over tubers.

Harvesting and Storing

Maincrop potatoes are generally ready 15–20 weeks after planting, typically from August to October.

For best results:

• Allow foliage to die back naturally before lifting.
• Lift tubers carefully using a fork to avoid damage.
• Dry tubers fully before storing.
• Store in breathable sacks in a cool, dark place — maincrops can keep for 4–6 months when stored correctly.