Potato time is rapidly approaching and there will be a bewildering array of seed potatoes to choose from.

Seed potatoes are certified as disease and virus free, thus they are not the same as the spuds you buy in the supermarket. They are divided into groups, depending on how long they take to produce a crop.

The ones that take the least time are called First Earlies, which can take as little as ten weeks. This makes them ideal for growing in potato bags or similar as they can be removed and the bag or pot used for something else. Try these if you have never grown potatoes before.

There are many First Earlies of note, ‘Pentland Javelin’ being especially disease resistant. ‘Duke of York’ and ‘Red Duke of York’ are brilliant for roasting; ‘Rocket’ and ‘Epicure’ are excellent salad potatoes; and ‘Vanessa’ has a red skin and makes a brilliant all-rounder.

There is some debate about the need to ‘chit’ First Earlies, but it is advisable for all other types. Chitting simply means ‘sprouting’ and is achieved by placing the seed potatoes in something like the bottom of an egg box with the end that has the most ‘eyes’ uppermost.

Put them somewhere bright but not hot and leave them alone until the ‘chits’ are about an inch long. They are ready to plant out but care must be taken not to break them off as they will not re-grow.

First Earlies should be planted by the end of February. Potatoes need to be in a sunny place and I also find that placing the bag or pot onto ‘feet’ of some sort will help with drainage.

There are various ways to plant but this is the easiest. Use a decent compost and fill the container to one third. You can also add a fertiliser that is high in potassium – specially formulated potato fertiliser is available.

Place about three seed potatoes onto the compost then top with another third. Place two more seed potatoes onto that layer then top up with the remaining compost. This does away with the need for ‘earthing-up’, which is the practice of adding more compost at regular intervals as the leaves start to show through. The containers will require watering if conditions are dry but don’t overdo it or they will rot.

Second Earlies and Maincrop potatoes are best grown in the ground. Plant Second Earlies such as ‘Charlotte’ and ‘International Kidney’ (also known as ‘Jersey Royal’) in March and April. These will give you a crop into September.

There is also a group called ‘Sarpo’ potatoes. These have been bred by the Sarvari Research Trust and are said to be very blight resistant and also drought tolerant.

All Second Earlies and Maincrops need to be ‘earthed up’ to encourage the formation of tubers along the stem. Never eat green potatoes that have not had this treatment as they are toxic.

Don’t grow potatoes and tomatoes near each other. They belong to the same family and are prone to the same diseases.