Potatoes are a great vegetable to plant in your garden because they are relatively easy to grow and they are a very versatile vegetable. You can use potatoes in so many different recipes, and they’re a great source of nutrients. Plus, they’re just plain delicious! Planting and growing potatoes are actually quite simple, and in this article, we’ll look at how to plant sprouting potatoes in your garden.
Can You Grow Sprouting Potatoes?
So you go to the grocery store, perusing the potato section when you spot them. Little green sprouts protrude from the eyes of the spuds, almost as if they’re begging to be taken home and planted.
You may have seen these before and wondered Can you grow sprouting potatoes? The answer is yes! In fact, growing potatoes from sprouts (or ones about to sprout) is relatively easy.
Using this method is a great way to get started with growing potatoes if you’ve never done it before. It’s also a good option if you don’t have the space to grow an entire potato crop.
This is because you can grow them in containers, given that you have a large enough container and the right potting mix.
What You’ll Need to Grow Sprouting Potatoes
Before going through the entire process of growing potatoes from sprouts, there are a few things that you should remember:
USDA Zones
Potatoes thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 – 10. If you live in one of these zones, then you’re in luck! You should be able to grow potatoes without any problems.
If you live outside of these zones, don’t worry! You can still grow potatoes, but you may have to take some extra steps to make sure that they thrive.
Container and Potting Mix
As we mentioned earlier, you can grow potatoes in containers. This means that you don’t need a lot of space to grow them. All you need is a large enough container and the right potting mix.
For the potting mix, you’ll want to use something that is well-draining and contains compost. This will give the potatoes the nutrients that they need to grow.
Sunlight
One of the major requirements for growing potatoes is sunlight. Potatoes need at least six hours of sunlight per day to grow properly.
One of the benefits of planting these potatoes in containers is that you can move them around to make sure that they’re getting the right amount of sunlight.
Otherwise, if you intend to plant them directly in the ground, make sure that you choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight.
Pests
One of the common challenges that gardeners face when growing potatoes is pests. Unfortunately, there are several different pests that can attack potato plants, including aphids, Colorado potato beetles, and wireworms.
Pests are inevitable, regardless of how well you take care of your plants.
The best way to combat pests is to be proactive and regularly check your plants for signs of infestation. If you do find pests, there are a number of different ways to get rid of them, including using pesticides or traps.
Watering
Potatoes need to be watered regularly, especially when they’re first getting started. They should be watered about once a week, making sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. You’ll know that it’s time to water them when the leaves start to droop.
Why Choose to Grow Potatoes from Sprouts?
When it comes to planting potatoes, you have two options: buy potato seedlings from a nursery or grow your own sprouts from potatoes you have at home.
While both methods will eventually result in a healthy crop of potatoes, growing your own sprouts has several advantages.
First of all, it’s much cheaper than buying seedlings. Potatoes are relatively inexpensive to begin with, and once you have a few sprouting potatoes, you can continue to propagate them indefinitely.
Secondly, growing your own sprouts is much more rewarding than simply buying plants from a nursery.
There’s something satisfying about taking a humble potato and turning it into a vibrant new plant. Finally, potato sprouts are notoriously hardy and resistant to disease, so you can be sure that your plants will be healthy and vigorous.
When to Plant Sprouting Potatoes
The best time to plant potatoes is in the early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. If you’re growing them in containers, you can plant them a little bit earlier. Just make sure that the soil is moist and that there is no danger of frost.
If you live in an area with a short growing season, you can start the potatoes indoors about six weeks before the last frost date. This will give them a head start on the growing season. This might be necessary if you want to grow potatoes that mature early in the season.
How to Plant Sprouting Potatoes in Your Garden Step-by-Step
Even if you’ve never grown potatoes before, it’s easy to grow them from sprouts. Just follow these simple steps:
1) Choose Your Potatoes
Start by selecting a few healthy potatoes that have sprouts coming out of them. These can be potatoes that you’ve bought from the grocery store or ones that have been sitting in your pantry for a while.
Sometimes, you’ll see that these potato sprouts come out of the eyes of the potato.
When choosing your sprouting potatoes, make sure that they’re not too old and free from blemishes or disease. After selecting your potatoes, wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Then, cut each potato in half so that each half has at least one eye.
2) Prepare Your Soil
Once you’ve selected and prepared your potatoes, it’s time to start thinking about where you will plant them. If you’re growing them in containers, fill the container with a potting mix that is light and well-draining.
On the other hand, if you’re planting them directly in the ground, prepare the soil by loosening it with a shovel and adding some compost. Potatoes need loose, loamy soil to grow properly.
3) Plant the Potatoes
Now, it’s time to plant your potatoes. If you’re growing them in containers, plant each potato half about four inches deep. Make sure that the eyes are pointing up so that they can root properly.
4) Water the Potatoes
After planting, water the potatoes generously. They should be watered about once a week, ensuring that the soil stays moist but not soggy. As the potatoes start to grow, you may need to water them more frequently. Be sure to check the soil regularly and only water when necessary.
5) Observe the Plants
This is the fun part! Eventually, you’ll start seeing small green shoots poking out of the soil. These are the potato plants beginning to grow. As they get bigger, you may need to stake them so that they don’t fall over.
Once the plants have reached about six inches tall, you can start hilling them. This means adding more soil around the plant base so that only the leaves are exposed.
This process encourages the potato plant to produce more potatoes, as they will form along the underground stem. Continue hilling the plants every few weeks throughout the growing season until they are ready to harvest.
How to Plant Sprouting Potatoes in Your Garden: Final Thoughts
Seeing the first few sprouts poking out of the soil is an incredibly satisfying experience. By following these simple steps, you can grow your own potato sprouts and enjoy a healthy crop of potatoes.
Just remember to water regularly, hill the plants as they grow, and most importantly, have fun!
Related Article: How Long Does it Take For a Seed to Sprout?