Alan’s job of the month
Chitting seed potatoes
THIS IS ONE OF those lovely old traditions that gives veg growers something to get on with when the ground is still too cold and wet to sow seeds. ‘Seed potatoes’ are raised to be virus free, which is why they crop better than old tubers from the vegetable rack. Early and second early varieties, which are the first to be harvested, ahead of maincrops, produce a better and earlier harvest if their tubers are sprouted or ‘chitted’ before planting. The time to chit is from late January through March. Simply stand the tubers in an empty seed tray or egg boxes, with the shoot buds, or ‘eyes’, uppermost. To encourage the shoots to grow, place them in bright light with a temperature of 10-15°C – a windowsill indoors or a frost-proof outbuilding is ideal. The shoots should be 2-3cm long at planting time. Some gardeners reduce the number of shoots, though I never bother.