Potatoes and tomatoes
The classic first crop for a new plot: they break up the soil and smother weeds.
Do not grow them where potatoes or tomatoes grew in the last three years.
Stand seed potatoes in egg boxes in a light, frost-free place from late January so that they sprout (this is called chitting). Plant first earlies from mid March and maincrop in April, 12cm deep. As the shoots grow, pull soil up around them to keep the tubers in the dark.
Lift first earlies when the flowers open, about 10 to 12 weeks after planting. Leave maincrop until the tops die back, then dry the tubers for a few hours before storing them in paper sacks in the dark.
What goes wrong
Brown patches on the leaves in warm, wet weather from July. Cut the tops off at once and lift the crop two weeks later. Early varieties are usually dug before it arrives.
Cover them with soil or fleece if frost is forecast in April or May.
Caused by light. Keep earthing up, and never eat the green ones.
Good neighbours: Broad beans, Marigolds.
Same family