{"product_id":"home-guard-first-early-seed-potatoes","title":"Home Guard First Early Seed Potatoes (2kg bag)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHome Guard Seed Potatoes \u003c\/strong\u003eare available in a \u003cstrong\u003e2kg bag \u003c\/strong\u003eand are the perfect all rounder with a short dormancy period making them a very early harvester. It is a high yielding, short oval tuber variety that has white skins and a white creamy-floury textured flesh that gives an excellent flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wartime variety was introduced in 1942 and is still as popular within the kitchen today as it was then. It is ideal for boiling, steaming, mashing, chipping, roasting or making jacket potatoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend planting First Early potato tubers, such as Home Guard, outside from March onwards, 10cm deep and 20cm apart in a line. Leave at least 30cm between lines to allow growing space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to planting, encourage Seed Potatoes to sprout by placing them on a cool, bright windowsill for 4-6 weeks. This process is known as 'chitting' and will help prepare the potato tuber for going in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce planted, 'earth up' the potatoes by drawing the soil up around new shoots to protect them from frost damage and prolong the growing time. Earthing up also protects developing potatoes from sunlight which causes them to turn green and poisonous. Keep potatoes well watered during warm weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanted first early seed potatoes will be ready to harvest approximately 10-12 weeks after they were planted. To harvest, cut back plant stalks to ground level before gently lifting the plant up with a garden fork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarefully remove the potatoes from the plant and wash well before use in the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePack size: 2kg bag (16-28 tubers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen to plant: March\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen to harvest: May, June, July\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanting depth: 10cm\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBulb spacing: 20cm\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoil type: Moist but well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunlight: Full sun, Partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardiness: Tolerant of low temperatures but will not survive being frozen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Kapiteyn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56082244600133,"sku":"1157922","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/7458\/1061\/files\/7028196b-home-guard-first-early-seed-potatoes.webp?v=1761657481","url":"https:\/\/www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk\/products\/home-guard-first-early-seed-potatoes","provider":"Gates Garden Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}