Chit early potatoes

Home-grown potatoes taste heaps better than the ones you buy in the shops. Early and maincrop potatoes can be sprouted inside before planting in the garden, this is known as ‘chitting’
Chitting potatoes
Season
Winter
Name

Early potatoes

Common Name
Potatoes
Description

Seed potatoes of early varieties should be started into growth indoors in February, planted out into the soil just before Easter, and lifted for eating in late June or early July. Maincrop varieties should be planted in early April again after sprouting indoors.

Growing Tips

What you’ll need:

  •  Seed potatoes
  •  Egg boxes
  •  Plant labels

What to do:

  1. Sprout or ‘chit’ the seed potatoes by arranging them, with ‘eyes’ uppermost, in egg boxes or seed trays in light in a cool but frost-free room.
  2. Don’t forget to label each variety!
  3. They are ready for planting when the sprouts have reached 2cm in length, which will take approximately 4–6 weeks.

Find out how to plant early potatoes and maincrop potatoes.

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