Potato timing

[ToLiveInPeace]

I grew some lovely potatoes last year (in a very amateur fashion) but this year I'm going on holiday at what may be a critical time! I'll be away for 2.5 weeks from the start of March. If I start chitting them now, when should I plant them out and when would they start needing earthing up? I live in the south.

If you start chitting now, you could get them in before you go and leave them to do their thing while you are away. I'm further north and so I've fooled myself before about starting too soon. Where are you planting them?

Hello! They are going into new raised beds. I was hoping to plant them before I go but I don't know how soon they will need attention.

How about doing a bit of earthing up when you plant them. I doubt they will come to any harm with a bit of extra soil to push the leaves through.

I may try that, thank you :) I'm a bit nervous about messing up my chance of a crop this year, so cheers.