SPROUT your SPUDS

Just for now, when it’s hard to find proper seed potatoes, it’s fine to plant those past-their-best spuds forgotten at the bottom of the veg rack.

But don’t make it a habit: “ware”, or eating potatoes, aren’t vetted as carefully for plant diseases as seed potatoes. Wash shopbought spuds, then pop them into a warm, dark place to encourage the eyes to start growing.

Second earlies like ‘Charlotte’ can be planted into sacks once shoots are 1cm to 2cm long.

Wait until next month to plant any variety outside in the garden.