What To Know
- It’s a surprisingly simple and rewarding process, and with a little patience, you can enjoy homegrown potatoes in your garden.
- The leaves of the potato plant will start to turn yellow and brown, and the stems will begin to die back.
- Use a garden fork or spade to carefully dig around the base of the plant, being careful not to damage the potatoes.
Imagine this: you’re enjoying a delicious meal featuring potatoes, and as you peel them, an idea strikes you. Instead of discarding the leftover scraps, you decide to give them a new life – growing your own potatoes! It’s a surprisingly simple and rewarding process, and with a little patience, you can enjoy homegrown potatoes in your garden. This blog post will guide you on how to grow potato from store bought, transforming your kitchen scraps into a bountiful harvest.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
Not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to growing from store-bought spuds. The key is to choose potatoes that are organic and haven’t been treated with sprout inhibitors. These inhibitors are designed to prevent potatoes from sprouting in storage, but they can also hinder your efforts to grow them.
Look for potatoes that have “eyes,” the small buds that will eventually sprout into new plants. The more eyes a potato has, the more potential plants you can grow.
Preparing the Potatoes for Planting
1. Identify the Eyes: Carefully examine your potatoes and locate the “eyes.” These small, raised bumps are where new growth will emerge.
2. Cut the Potatoes: Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one or two eyes.
3. Allow the Cuttings to Dry: Once you’ve cut the potatoes, let the cut surfaces dry for a few hours or overnight. This allows the cut ends to callous over, reducing the risk of rot.
Getting Ready for Planting
1. Selecting a Suitable Location
Potatoes thrive in full sun to partial shade. Choose a location in your garden that receives at least six hours of sunlight daily.
2. Preparing the Soil
Potatoes prefer well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (around 5.5-6.5).
- Amend the Soil: If your soil is heavy or compacted, improve drainage by adding compost, aged manure, or peat moss.
- Test the Soil pH: You can purchase a soil pH testing kit from your local garden center. If the pH is too high, you can lower it by adding sulfur.
Planting the Potatoes
1. Create Planting Hills: Dig trenches or mounds in your garden bed, around 12 inches apart and 6 inches deep. The depth of the trench should be about the size of the potato cutting.
2. Place the Cuttings: Place the potato cuttings in the trenches or mounds, with the eyes facing upwards.
3. Cover the Cuttings: Cover the cuttings with soil, leaving the eyes exposed.
4. Water Thoroughly: Give your newly planted potatoes a good watering to settle the soil and encourage root development.
Caring for Your Potato Plants
1. Watering
Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during the early stages of growth. Water deeply and regularly, ensuring the soil stays moist but not soggy.
2. Hilling Up
As your potato plants grow, they will start to produce stems and leaves. To encourage more potato growth, you will need to “hill up” the plants. This involves gradually adding soil around the base of the plant as it grows taller, burying the stems as you go. This process encourages the formation of more potatoes along the buried stems.
3. Weeding
Keep the area around your potato plants free of weeds, as they compete for water and nutrients.
4. Pest Control
Monitor your plants for signs of pests such as potato beetles or aphids. If you notice any, you can use organic pest control methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Harvesting Your Potatoes
Potatoes are typically ready for harvest around 100-120 days after planting.
- Signs of Readiness: The leaves of the potato plant will start to turn yellow and brown, and the stems will begin to die back.
- Digging: Use a garden fork or spade to carefully dig around the base of the plant, being careful not to damage the potatoes.
- Storing: After harvesting, brush off any excess dirt and store your potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place.
The Final Chapter: From Kitchen Scrap to Tabletop Treat
Growing potatoes from store-bought spuds is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the fruits (or rather, tubers) of your labor. It’s a simple, sustainable, and fun way to add fresh, homegrown potatoes to your meals.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Can I grow potatoes in containers?
Yes, you can grow potatoes in containers. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide. Fill it with a good quality potting mix and follow the same planting and care instructions as for garden planting.
2. What if my potato cuttings don‘t sprout?
Don’t worry if your potato cuttings don‘t sprout immediately. It can take a few weeks for them to develop. Ensure the soil is consistently moist and the location is sunny.
3. Can I use potatoes that have gone green?
No, do not use potatoes that have gone green. Green potatoes contain solanine, a toxin that can cause illness.
4. Is it possible to grow potatoes from seed?
Yes, but it’s a more challenging process. Potato seeds are small and require specific conditions to germinate.
5. How long will the potatoes I grow from store-bought spuds last?
With proper storage, your homegrown potatoes can last for several months.
