Chitting potatoes is an age-old practice that gives seed potatoes a head start before planting. By encouraging the development of strong sprouts, you’ll ensure quicker growth and a healthier harvest. Here’s everything you need to know about the history, process, and benefits of chitting potatoes.
The History of Chitting Potatoes
Chitting, or pre-sprouting, has been a part of potato cultivation for centuries. Farmers and gardeners in cooler climates, especially in the UK and northern Europe, discovered that sprouting seed potatoes indoors helped them capitalize on the short growing season. This technique became especially important after the 19th century when the potato became a staple crop across Europe.
By giving potatoes a head start, growers could protect them from late frosts and ensure an earlier harvest. Today, chitting remains a popular practice for home gardeners and small-scale farmers.
Why Chit Potatoes?
Chitting is particularly beneficial for early potato varieties, as it helps speed up the growing process. Benefits include:
- Faster Growth: Chitted potatoes emerge quicker once planted, reducing the risk of frost damage.
- Stronger Plants: Well-developed sprouts result in healthier plants with a higher yield.
- Earlier Harvest: You can enjoy your potatoes several weeks earlier than un-chitted ones.
When to Start Chitting
Start chitting seed potatoes about 6–8 weeks before planting them outside. In the UK, this usually means beginning in late January or February, depending on your local climate. Potatoes are typically planted in mid to late March once the soil has warmed.
How to Chit Potatoes
What You’ll Need
- Seed Potatoes: Certified disease-free seed potatoes are essential.
- Egg Cartons or Trays: Use containers that allow the potatoes to stand upright with plenty of air circulation.
Step-by-Step Process
- Select the Potatoes: Choose healthy seed potatoes with multiple “eyes” (the small dimples where sprouts will grow).
- Position Them Correctly: Place the potatoes in an egg carton or shallow tray with the “rose end” (the end with the most eyes) facing upwards.
- Find a Light and Cool Spot: Position the tray in a cool, frost-free space with good natural light, such as a windowsill, greenhouse, or shed.
- Monitor Sprouts: Over the next few weeks, you’ll see green or purple sprouts develop. Allow these to grow to about 2.5 cm (1 inch) long before planting.
Common Questions
Do All Potatoes Need Chitting?
Maincrop varieties (grown for a late harvest) don’t necessarily need chitting, as they have a longer growing season. However, early and second early potatoes benefit significantly from the process.
What If Sprouts Are Too Long?
If left too long, sprouts can become weak and brittle. Plant them carefully or rub off all but the strongest sprouts before planting.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
Chitting potatoes is a simple yet effective step that links modern gardening with centuries of agricultural tradition. By giving your potatoes a head start, you’ll enjoy a more productive and rewarding growing season.
Have you started chitting your potatoes yet? Let us know your favorite tips for a bountiful harvest!
When choosing potatoes for chitting, early and second early varieties are the best options, as these benefit most from a head start in the growing season. Here’s a selection of some of the best varieties for chitting:
First Early Potatoes
These mature quickly and are ready to harvest around 10–12 weeks after planting.
- ‘Rocket’
- Super-early variety with smooth white skin and creamy texture.
- Great for salads and boiling.
- ‘Swift’
- Extremely fast-growing and reliable.
- Produces uniform, round tubers perfect for steaming or boiling.
- ‘Home Guard’
- Traditional variety that’s flavorful and reliable.
- A favorite for roasting or boiling.
- ‘Foremost’
- Firm, waxy texture ideal for salads.
- Resists disintegration during cooking.
Second Early Potatoes
These mature slightly later (12–14 weeks) but still benefit greatly from chitting.
- ‘Charlotte’
- A popular waxy variety with excellent flavor.
- Perfect for salads or steaming.
- ‘Kestrel’
- Dual-purpose potato with attractive purple eyes.
- Great for roasting, mashing, or chipping.
- ‘Maris Peer’
- A versatile variety with a delicious, creamy taste.
- Excellent for boiling and roasting.
- ‘Vivaldi’
- A lower-carb variety with a buttery texture.
- Perfect for baking or steaming.
Maincrop Varieties for Chitting (Optional)
Maincrop potatoes don’t require chitting as much as early varieties, but it can still help improve yields in cooler climates.
- ‘Desiree’
- A red-skinned favorite with a smooth texture.
- Ideal for mashing, baking, or frying.
- ‘King Edward’
- A heritage variety with excellent flavor.
- Versatile for roasting, baking, and boiling.
- ‘Maris Piper’
- A go-to for chips and roast potatoes due to its fluffy texture.
- ‘Sarpo Mira’
- Highly blight-resistant variety.
- Produces large, robust tubers suitable for all uses.
Tips for Selecting Varieties to Chit
- Early vs. Late Harvest: Choose first or second earlies if you want a faster harvest; maincrop for larger yields.
- Climate Adaptability: Some varieties (like ‘Swift’ and ‘Sarpo Mira’) are better suited for colder regions.
- Personal Preference: Match varieties to how you plan to cook them—waxy potatoes for salads, floury ones for roasting or mashing.
Where to Source Seed Potatoes for Chitting in the UK
To get the best results, always purchase certified seed potatoes from reputable suppliers. Certified seeds are disease-free and specifically bred for healthy growth. Here are some trusted sources:
1. Local Garden Centres and Nurseries
- Most garden centres stock a good range of seed potatoes, often suited to your local climate.
- Benefits: You can inspect the tubers before buying, ensuring they are firm and disease-free.
2. Online Suppliers
- Suttons Seeds (www.suttons.co.uk)
- Wide variety of seed potatoes, including rare and heritage types.
- Thompson & Morgan (www.thompson-morgan.com)
- Excellent for early, second early, and blight-resistant varieties.
- Dobies (www.dobies.co.uk)
- Offers disease-free certified seed potatoes with delivery options.
- JBA Seed Potatoes (www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk)
- Specialist potato supplier offering over 60 varieties, including rarities.
3. Farmers’ Markets and Potato Days
- Many regions host potato fairs in late winter or early spring. These are great for picking up unique varieties and expert growing tips. Check your local events listings.
4. Supermarkets (with Caution)
- Some gardeners successfully chit potatoes bought from supermarkets, but these are not certified seed potatoes and may carry diseases. For reliable results, stick with certified suppliers.
Tips for Planting Chitted Potatoes
- Prepare the Soil
- Potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil. Dig in plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting.
- Ensure the soil is slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5) for best growth.
- Planting Time
- Plant first earlies and second earlies in March, once the risk of hard frost has passed. Use fleece or cloches if frost is still likely.
- Maincrop potatoes can go in mid to late April.
- Spacing
- First earlies: Space tubers 30 cm apart in rows 60 cm apart.
- Second earlies: Space 37 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart.
- Maincrop: Space 40 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart.
- Planting Depth
- Dig a trench about 10–15 cm deep and place the chitted potatoes with the sprouts facing upwards. Cover lightly with soil.
- Earthing Up
- As shoots appear, draw soil over them to protect against frost and encourage tuber development. Repeat this process until the mound is 15–20 cm high.
- Watering
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging.
- Consistent moisture is particularly important during tuber formation.
- Harvesting
- First earlies: Harvest 10–12 weeks after planting, once flowers start to bloom.
- Second earlies: Harvest 12–14 weeks after planting.
- Maincrop: Harvest when foliage dies back, usually 16–20 weeks after planting.
