primary and nursery classes in UK
Welcome to
Grow Your Own Potatoes
Register your class now for spring 2027
About Grow Your Own Potatoes
Launched in 2005, Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) was one of the first primary school based growing projects. Since then, it has become the largest of its kind with over 6 million children taking part in learning where potatoes come from, how they grow and the health benefits. The straightforward and hands-on nature of the GYOP project makes it perfect for young pupils.
Teachers who register (before the end of January each year) receive a FREE growing kit for their class, containing two varieties of seed potatoes and easy-to-follow instructions in February.
GYOP is open to all primary and nursery teachers across the UK. Unfortunately due to funding this does not include secondary schools or home educators.
We are delighted to announce that Grow Your Own Potatoes have won a prestigious award.
🏆 Celebrating Success at the National Potato Awards!
We are thrilled to announce that Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) has been voted the winner in the categories of Best Marketing Work/Best Marketing Campaign at the prestigious National Potato Awards. This tremendous achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team.
What is included in the GYOP pack?
Each pack will have 7 seed potatoes. You will plant 6 and use the remaining one for our great experiment. The pack will have a theme (pictured here are the resources from 2025).
You will need a container, soil and optional gardening gloves for the children.
Full instructions are included and you will be able to refer to our huge resource bank here. You will also receive timely email updates throughout the project.
Please visit our sponsor page to learn more about the companies who make GYOP possible.
What will the theme be in 2026? You will need to register to find out!
Benefits of taking part for your pupils
Taking part in the Grow Your Own Potatoes project offers your pupils a number of invaluable benefits. Here are five compelling reasons why this endeavour is essential for their growth and development:
-
Improved Nutrition - Greater Appreciation of food
- Development of life skills
- Boost confidence
- Getting outdoors
Kits are available to purchase along with grow bags for your project
Keep up to date with GYOP. If you have bought a pack (or even if you don't) you can still follow the project and get regular updates from us.
(Unfortunately, due to Brexit, extra kits are not available to send to NI)
Keep up to date with the GYOP experiments
If you buy our Children's Patio Set, we would highly recommend that you join the GYOP newsletter as it will give timely information about the project and the experiments.
Join GYOP and/or Potato House Newsletters
Children’s Patio Pack
Price range: £8.95 through £16.80
Grow Bags with Handles
£10.95
Grow Bags
Price range: £5.60 through £6.85Key Dates - 2027
Growing Potatoes is a spring time activity, and you can eat the potatoes you have grown before schools break up for the summer holidays. Don't worry if your school schedule (or the weather) means these days are slightly out.
- Registration Closes - Friday 29th Jan 2027
- Getting your Pack and Chitting - Tuesday 23rd February for 2 weeks
- Planting Tuesday 9th March
- Growing period Tuesday 9th March - Tuesday 15th June
- Harvest Tuesday 15th June
- Cooking and Eating your Potatoes - as soon as you harvest
- Entering the Prize draw - as soon as you harvest
