Get ready to save big by growing your own potatoes.
It’s almost time to start sowing a homegrown crop.
Dig up some super savings by growing your own potatoes
So prepare for a healthy harvest with these top tips.
THE EYES HAVE IT
The first step is to "chit" your tubers — encourage them to sprout before planting in soil.
You can buy seed potatoes from your local garden centre but, to save money, use your own leftover spuds.
Gardener Kendall Platt (adventureswithflowers.com) says avoid any that are mouldy, smelly or soft.
She adds: "Take an empty, dozen egg box and space out six potatoes with the most "eyes" facing upwards. Place them on a windowsill until green shoots have grown to at least one-and-a-half centimetres, which should take two to four weeks."
Start the process in late February to give them time to chit before planting out after the last of the really harsh winter frosts, towards the end of March.
TIME TO PLANT
When the time comes, you can buy special potato growing bags — or save money by using old sacks, deep containers or clean, empty dustbins.
Make sure whatever you pick has holes for drainage. If it’s sacks, Kendall says: "Fill your bag with about 10cm of peat-free compost and nestle three to five potatoes gently into it, ensuring you don’t snap off the shoots.
"Add another 10cm of compost on top. Then roll down the edges of your bag to just above the soil level so the sunlight can get to the plants. Place in a sunny spot and keep watered.
"Every two weeks, as the shoots grow, add another 10cm of compost and unroll the bag to just above the compost line again."
TOP OF THE CROPS
It will be at least 12 weeks before you can harvest your crop.
You’ll know it’s time when the leaves turn yellow. Give them another week or so before upending the bags and digging out your spuds. Tip the contents into a wheelbarrow or tarpaulin to avoid mess.
