Potatoes for Christmas 

Yes, now is the time to plant them ready for the December dinner table

 

The thing about gardening is you have to think ahead!

 

And it may be August and the height of the British summer but soon it'll be Christmas and the time for turkey and all the trimmings!

 

And what better than a festive feast featuring your own home-grown potatoes. Lovely!

 

Get planting now and - sub-zero temperatures depending - you'll be digging and serving on the 25th December.

 

12 weeks until harvest

 
The best time for planting is in late August as you'll be looking at a good 12 weeks before harvest.

 

And if you don't have any room in the garden, you can plant some potatoes in a compost sack, large tub or pot. 

 

Fertiliser is essential. They're a hungry and thirsty bunch are potatoes!  

 

Frost

 

The potato killer! So, again, try and think ahead. Don't throw away any bubble wrap or old potato sacks, both could come in very useful as cover. Potatoes grown in sacks, of course, can be kept out of harms way in the greenhouse, shed or garage.

 

Top tip:

 

Try Argyle's Garden Centre in Swindon for tuber varieties and planting advice. They really know their potatoes!