What are Seed Potatoes?
There are lots of confusing terms in gardening and the expression ‘Seed Potatoes’ is no exception. Seed Potatoes are potatoes but they are not strictly seeds. They are what you need to plant to produce a healthy crop of potatoes. They are specially grown potato tubers, usually grown in areas that are not affected by garden pests. This reduces and almost eliminates the possibility that these tubers can become infected with viruses. It is essential that you choose to grow certified, disease free potatoes to minimise the spread of potato problems. Unwins seed potatoes fall into 4 categories: • First Earlies • Second Earlies • Maincrop • Salad For the earliest crop of potatoes in early summer you need to choose a variety that matures early. These are called First Earlies. Look out for the grass-green coded packs of seed potatoes from Unwins at your local garden centre. They are colour coded to help you choose potatoes that mature at the right time. If you are new to growing potatoes these