If you want to enjoy homegrown new potatoes on your Christmas table, now is the time to get planting. Seed potatoes planted in mid to late summer will be ready to harvest just in time for the festive season — and there’s nothing quite like lifting your own spuds on Christmas morning.
When to Plant — Your Timeline
| Plant in | Expect to harvest |
|---|---|
| Early July | Late September – October |
| Mid July | October – November |
| Late July | November – December |
| Early August | Christmas 🎄 |
For a Christmas Day harvest, aim to plant in late July to early August. Growing in containers gives you the most control over timing and protection from frost.
Which Varieties Work Best?
For a Christmas harvest, look for second early or maincrop varieties. These take a little longer to mature, giving you that perfect timing for a late December lift. We stock a great selection to get you started:
- Taylors Bulbs Charlotte Summer Planting Seed Potatoes 10 Pack — a popular salad potato with a buttery, waxy texture. Excellent boiled or in salads.
- Taylors Bulbs Pentland Javelin Summer Planting Seed Potatoes 10 Pack — a reliable first early with a clean white skin and great flavour. Perfect for boiling whole.
- Taylors Bulbs Maris Peer Summer Planting Seed Potatoes 10 Pack — a classic second early with smooth, oval tubers. Great flavour and reliable cropping.
- Taylors Bulbs Maris Piper Summer Planting Seed Potatoes 10 Pack — the nation’s favourite. Fluffy and versatile, perfect roasted or mashed on Christmas Day.
- Taylors Bulbs Desiree Summer Planting Seed Potatoes 10 Pack — a popular red-skinned maincrop with waxy, yellow flesh. Excellent for boiling and roasting.
How to Plant
You don’t need a large garden to grow your own Christmas potatoes. Containers and growing bags work brilliantly and make it easy to control the growing conditions.
- Use a large pot, container, or our Taylors Outdoor Potato Growing Bag — ideal for patios, balconies, and small gardens.
- Fill with a good quality compost — not sure which to choose? Read our Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Compost to find the best option for growing veg.
- Mix in a general-purpose fertiliser before planting.
- Plant your seed potatoes around 10–12cm deep, with the shoots (chits) pointing upward.
- Water regularly and earth up as the foliage grows to protect developing tubers.
Growing Tips
- Keep plants in a sheltered spot — a greenhouse or cold frame works well as temperatures drop into autumn.
- Avoid waterlogging; good drainage is essential, especially in containers.
- Feed with a high-potash liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks once plants are established.
- As nights get colder, move containers under cover or wrap them with fleece to protect the tubers from frost.
Harvesting at Christmas
Check your potatoes around 10–12 weeks after planting. Gently dig down to see if the tubers are a good size. For Christmas Day, you can time your harvest to perfection — freshly lifted and straight onto the table. New potatoes steamed with a little butter and mint are hard to beat as a festive side dish.
Shop Our Seed Potatoes
Ready to get growing? Browse our full range of seed potatoes and everything you need for a successful Christmas harvest — from compost to our handy Taylors Outdoor Potato Growing Bag.
👉 Shop all Seed Potatoes at Grasmere Garden Centre
Or pop in store and our friendly team will help you choose the right variety for your space and timing.