A spud you'll like - how to grow your own potatoes

Potatoes are one of the best veg to plant in early spring – traditionally done on Good Friday to avoid frosts which can damage plants. Former professional gardener, Rick Bramma from the Recovery Team Gardening Group gives us his top tips.

You will need:

• A large pot or container at least 12” wide with drainage holes at the bottom

• Small amount of stones to help with drainage

• Peat free, multi purpose compost

• Seed potatoes. Make sure you use seed potatoes for growing at home. Seed potatoes are specifically sold for planting, rather than cooking and eating. Don’t use any that look damp or mouldy

• Straw.

How to plant your own potatoes:

Fill the pot with the compost and place three to five seed potatoes a hand width apart, on the surface. If you want to chit the potatoes in advance to encourage them to sprout, keep them in an old egg box in a cool, dry place for a few weeks before planting.

Make sure any sprouts are pointing upwards.

Cover with straw or an extra 10cm of compost to prevent frost damage.

Water well and keep watering regularly. Harvest your potatoes when the flowers are in full bloom.