Make room for Ireland's favourite vegetable as it's time to stock up on seed potatoes for this year's crop. We've got a wide selection in our garden centre here in Athlone including fine Irish heirloom spuds and new varieties to try.
Once you get your seed potatoes home, set them out in an eggbox with the 'rose' end (the one with most dimples) upwards to sprout while you wait for the weather to warm up. Then in April, plant them outside about 30cm deep and 45cm apart. Draw earth up around the stems as they grow, just to cover any tubers near the surface, and that's it till harvest!
There are hundreds of different types of potato, so this year try something a little different - you'll find lots of inspiration at Ireland's Potato Days.
The longest-running is held at the Organic Centre in Co. Leitrim on 15th March, with a raft of experts on everything from the latest efforts to breed blight-free potatoes to the lazy bed technique. Meanwhile over in Co. Leith, Sonairte is holding workshops and displays including a huge selection of heritage potato varieties on Saturday 22nd March. Just remember to leave room in the garden for all the ones you'll want to grow!
