The Burston Garden Centre February Blog

A simple, reliable guide for a successful spring harvest

If you’re looking to kick‑start your vegetable garden this year, seed potatoes and onion sets are two of the most rewarding crops you can grow. They’re hardy, productive, and perfect for gardeners of all experience levels. With a little preparation now, you’ll be enjoying homegrown potatoes and onions by early summer.

Below is a clear, step‑by‑step guide to help you grow both crops with confidence.

🥔 Growing Seed Potatoes

Seed potatoes are specially grown to be disease‑free and vigorous, giving you a healthy, reliable crop.

  1. Choose the right type

Potatoes fall into three main categories:

  • First earlies – fast-growing, ideal for small spaces, ready from June
  • Second earlies – great for salads, ready mid‑summer
  • Maincrop – larger potatoes perfect for baking and storing, ready late summer

Choosing a mix gives you harvests throughout the season.

  1. Start by chitting

Chitting encourages strong shoots before planting.

  • Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright room
  • Stand them in an egg box with the “rose end” (the end with most eyes) facing up
  • Allow shoots to grow to 2–3 cm over 4–6 weeks

This gives your plants a head start once they’re in the ground.

  1. Planting

Potatoes grow well in beds, raised beds, or large containers.

  • Plant first earlies in March, maincrop in April
  • Dig a trench 10–15 cm deep
  • Space potatoes 30 cm apart, with 60–70 cm between rows
  • Place them shoot‑side up and cover with soil

If planting in containers, use a deep pot and add compost in layers as the plant grows.

  1. Earth up

As shoots appear, mound soil around the stems. This:

  • Protects from frost
  • Prevents potatoes turning green
  • Encourages more tubers

Repeat until you have a ridge around 20–30 cm high.

  1. Water and feed

Potatoes love consistent moisture.

  • Water regularly during dry spells
  • Use a high‑potash feed (like tomato feed) to boost tuber growth
  1. Harvesting
  • First earlies: 10–12 weeks
  • Second earlies: 13–15 weeks
  • Maincrop: 18–20 weeks

Lift gently with a fork and enjoy the freshest potatoes imaginable.

🧅 Growing Onion Sets

Onion sets are small, immature onions that grow into full bulbs. They’re incredibly easy and reliable.

  1. Prepare the soil

Onions prefer:

  • A sunny spot
  • Well‑drained soil
  • Light, fertile ground enriched with compost

Avoid fresh manure, which can cause misshapen bulbs.

  1. Planting

Plant onion sets from late February to April.

  • Push each set into the soil so just the tip is visible
  • Space 10–15 cm apart, with 25–30 cm between rows
  • If birds pull them up, simply replant — they’ll settle in
  1. Watering and feeding

Onions dislike waterlogged soil.

  • Water during dry spells
  • Apply a general fertiliser in spring to help bulbs swell
  1. Keep weeds down

Onions have shallow roots and hate competition.

  • Weed regularly by hand
  • Mulch lightly to suppress weeds and retain moisture
  1. Harvesting

Onions are ready when the tops yellow and flop over.

  • Lift gently and dry them in the sun for a few days
  • Store in a cool, airy place — net bags or braided stems work beautifully

🌿 Final Thoughts

Growing seed potatoes and onion sets is a brilliant way to start your gardening year. They’re low‑maintenance, productive, and perfect for anyone wanting a reliable harvest. With a little care now, you’ll be enjoying homegrown potatoes and onions throughout the summer.

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