SAXON

Description

Second Early 2kg bag

Saxon Seed Potatoes are a modern-day second early variety that produces large crops of long-oval shaped, white skinned tubers. The flesh of Saxon potatoes is firm and yellow in colour, ideal for all kitchen uses.

Growing Seed Potatoes

Chit the Potatoes

Although potatoes will sprout in the dark, you will get long, pale shoots that easily break. Instead, place them in a cool spot with bright light for 2 to 4 weeks. This way, the sprouts will grow stocky, sturdy, and dark green. This process is called chitting. You can place your seed potatoes upright in an egg carton or box, on a tray, or screen with the majority of buds (“eyes”) facing up. Do not pile them atop one another. You can start this process one month before your outdoor planting date.

Plant the Sprouted Potatoes

We recommend planting Second Earlies from March onwards. Handle the seed potatoes carefully, so the sprouts do not break off or become damaged. Plant potatoes with the sprouts facing up and cover lightly with soil. 

Plant in Rows

Potatoes grow best planted in rows spaced 3 feet apart. Plant the seed potatoes in a trench that is 15 – 20cm (6 to 8 inches) deep. Place cut side down, with eyes facing up. Space the seed potatoes 30 to 40cm (12 to 15 inches) apart. Fill the trench with 10cm (4 inches) of soil. 

As the plants grow, ‘earth up’ the potatoes by drawing the soil up around new shoots to protect them from frost damage and prolong the growing time. Earthing up also protects developing potatoes from sunlight which causes them to turn green and poisonous. 

Alternatively, plant in potato bags or containers, by filling the bag/container halfway with compost, plant between 3 and 5 seed potatoes, cover with approximately 10cm of compost and continue to add more soil to the bag as the potatoes grow. Early and Second Early varieties are best suited to container growing.

Water Well

Keep potatoes well-watered throughout summer, especially when flowering. During flowering, the plants begin to create the edible potatoes.

Harvest the Mature Potatoes

When ready to harvest, approximately 14-16 weeks after planting, cut back the plant stalks to ground level before gently lifting the plant up with a garden fork.

Carefully remove the potatoes from the plant and wash well before using them