When To Plant First Early Potatoes

The best time to plant first early potatoes is in late March to early April, depending on your local climate and frost dates.
 
When you plant first early potatoes at this time, you give them a head start for a delicious harvest in June and July.
 
These spuds are the gardeners’ secret for enjoying fresh, new potatoes before the main crop even thinks about growing.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant first early potatoes, the short answer is as soon as the soil starts to warm up and the risk of hard frost has passed.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into the perfect timing for when to plant first early potatoes, what conditions they need, and how to get the best results from your plot.
 
Let’s get those tatties in the ground.
 

When to Plant First Early Potatoes for the Best Harvest

When to plant first early potatoes really boils down to reading your local weather patterns and soil temperature.
 
These varieties are hardy, but they don’t like sitting in cold, wet earth for too long.
 
The sweet spot is when the soil has warmed to around 7-10°C (45-50°F) at a depth of about 10cm.
 
For most UK gardeners, this falls between mid-March and mid-April, though southern regions can often start a bit earlier.
 
If you’re in a colder area, you might push planting first early potatoes to late April without sacrificing too much.
 
The key is to avoid planting first early potatoes during a wet, freezing spell as the tubers may rot before they sprout.
 

Why Timing Matters for First Early Potatoes

Getting the timing right for first early potatoes isn’t just about tradition, it’s about maximising growth.
 
Plant first early potatoes too soon and frost can damage the emerging shoots above ground.
 
Plant them too late and you’ll miss that lovely window where the weather is cool but not freezing, which these spuds adore.
 
Also, when you plant first early potatoes at the correct time, they mature before the worst of the summer pests, like aphids, become a real nuisance.
 
So, the simple rule is: wait for the soil to dry out a touch, then get planting.
 

Different Climates, Different Dates for Planting First Early Potatoes

Your exact date for planting first early potatoes will vary depending on where you live.
 
For example, in the mild, southern coastal areas, you can often plant first early potatoes in the second week of March.
 
But for gardeners in Scotland, northern England, or higher altitudes, planting first early potatoes in early April is more realistic.
 
A good trick is to check the long-range forecast and look for a stretch of dry, mild days.
 
You can also use a soil thermometer to take the guesswork out of when to plant first early potatoes.
 
If the soil at 10cm deep reads 7°C or above for a few consecutive mornings, you’re good to go.
 

How to Prepare for Planting First Early Potatoes

Once you’ve decided when to plant first early potatoes, preparation is the next vital step.
 
First, you’ll want to chit your seed potatoes about six weeks before planting.
 
Chitting simply means placing them in a cool, bright spot like a windowsill to encourage short, sturdy shoots.
 
This head start means that when you do plant first early potatoes, they’ll take off quickly in the soil.
 
Second, choose a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil.
 
Avoid areas where water pools after rain as first early potatoes hate waterlogged roots.
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting First Early Potatoes

Here’s how to plant first early potatoes once the timing is right.
 
Dig a trench about 10-15cm deep and space your seed potatoes roughly 30cm apart.
 
Place each potato with the chitted shoots facing upwards, then cover them with soil.
 
As the green shoots appear above ground, you’ll need to earth them up by drawing soil around the stems.
 
This protects the developing tubers from sunlight, which can turn them green and bitter.
 
Water well during dry spells, especially once the flowers begin to appear.
 

Protecting First Early Potatoes from Late Frosts

Even if you’ve chosen the perfect time to plant first early potatoes, a sneaky late frost can still strike.
 
Keep an eye on the night-time temperatures after planting.
 
If a frost is forecast, cover the emerging shoots with horticultural fleece or even old newspaper.
 
This simple protection can save your young plants and ensure you still get a bumper crop.
 
Remember, the foliage is the sensitive part, the underground tubers are usually fine.
 

Signs That Your First Early Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest

Knowing when to plant first early potatoes is only half the battle; knowing when to dig them up is just as fun.
 
Most first early varieties are ready to harvest about 10-12 weeks after planting.
 
Wait until the plants have finished flowering, which is a classic sign that the tubers are mature enough.
 
For a real treat, you can harvest a few “new potatoes” a couple of weeks earlier by gently feeling around the roots.
 
Just take a few from each plant so the rest can keep growing.
 
This staggered harvesting gives you fresh, salad potatoes for weeks on end.
 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planting First Early Potatoes

One common mistake is planting first early potatoes in very wet, heavy clay soil without adding grit or compost.
 
This can cause the seed potatoes to rot underground before they ever sprout.
 
Another mistake is skipping the chitting process, which delays your harvest by a week or two.
 
Also, avoid planting first early potatoes in the same spot year after year to reduce the risk of disease.
 
Rotate your crops and you’ll keep your soil healthy and your yields high.
 

So, When Should You Plant First Early Potatoes?

You should plant first early potatoes in late March to early April, as soon as the soil warms and frosts ease.
 
The exact time to plant first early potatoes depends on your local climate, so keep an eye on your soil temperature.
 
Whether you’re planting first early potatoes in containers, grow bags, or open ground, the same rules apply for timing.
 
Get them chitted, get them in the soil at the right moment, and you’ll be rewarded with sweet, tender spuds.
 
So, now that you know when to plant first early potatoes, grab your trowel and get digging.
 
Your future summer salads will thank you.