When to plant or sow Early potatoes?

Early potatoes are planted from seed tubers (small whole potatoes or pieces with at least two eyes) in March or April, as soon as the soil has warmed to around 7°C and the worst frosts have passed. Choose a site in full sun with well-drained loam or sandy soil; heavy clay should be improved with organic matter and grit to prevent waterlogging, which causes tubers to rot. Avoid ground where potatoes, tomatoes, or other Solanaceae have grown in the past two years to reduce disease risk. Prepare the soil a few weeks ahead by digging in well-rotted compost or manure to a spade's depth. Early potatoes are traditionally planted in trenches about 12 cm deep, spaced 30 cm apart within the row and 50–60 cm between rows. Place each tuber with the eyes (sprouting points) facing upwards, then cover with soil. Some gardeners prefer to "chit" seed potatoes indoors for a few weeks beforehand—stand them rose-end up in egg boxes in a cool, light place until short, sturdy shoots appear—but this is optional. Immediately after planting, rake the soil level and water gently if conditions are dry. As the shoots emerge and reach about 20 cm tall, begin earthing up: draw soil from between the rows up around the stems to form a ridge. This protects developing tubers from light (which turns them green and toxic), encourages more tubers to form, and offers some frost protection. Repeat earthing up once or twice more as the foliage grows, leaving just the top leaves exposed. Mulching the ridges with straw can help suppress weeds and retain moisture.