Potatoes are one of the most versatile and beloved vegetables worldwide, finding their way into countless dishes from mashed potatoes to crispy fries. But have you ever thought about growing your own? Not only is growing food a rewarding experience, but it also ensures you have a fresh and organic supply of vegetables right in your backyard. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about how to grow potatoes successfully, whether you have a sprawling garden or just a small patio space.
What Are Seed Potatoes?
To kickstart your potato-growing journey, you’ll need seed potatoes. These are not seeds in the traditional sense but rather small potatoes that are certified disease-free and are meant for planting.
You can purchase seed potatoes from garden centers or online suppliers, which ensures that they are USDA approved and disease-free for use in planting. You can save some of your harvest year-to-year to use as seed potatoes (more on that later).
If you don’t have any of your own seed potatoes yet, look for varieties suited to your climate and taste preferences.
Sprouted Store-Bought Potatoes
Did you know you can use sprouted store-bought potatoes as seed potatoes? If you’ve left your purchased potatoes too long and they’ve started to sprout, put them to good use in your garden!
Full disclosure, using sprouted store-bought potatoes for planting is not ideal since you don’t always know whether they’re organic, disease-free, etc. While sprouted potatoes can still produce plants, they may be more susceptible to diseases and may not yield as well as certified seed potatoes.
It’s best to use certified seed potatoes, as they are specifically grown and treated to ensure disease-free and vigorous growth. However, if you do choose to use sprouted store-bought potatoes, make sure to cut them into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one eye, and allow them to dry before planting to reduce the risk of rot and disease.
How to Grow Potatoes in the Ground
Growing potatoes in the ground is a classic method that yields excellent results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of at least 8 inches and removing any rocks or debris.
- Cut the seed potatoes into pieces, making sure each piece has at least one eye or sprout.
- Plant the seed potatoes about 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in rows spaced 2 to 3 feet apart.
- As the plants grow, mound soil around the stems to encourage tuber formation and prevent them from turning green.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Monitor for pests and diseases, such as potato beetles and late blight, and take appropriate measures to control them.
How to Grow Potatoes in a Bag
If you’re short on space as an apartment homesteader, or you have poor soil quality on your property, growing potatoes in bags is a convenient alternative. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill a large, sturdy grow bag with a few inches of potting mix.
- Place 2-3 seed potatoes on top of the soil, spacing them evenly.
- Cover the potatoes with more soil, leaving a few inches of space at the top of the bag.
- Water thoroughly until the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- As the plants grow, continue adding soil or straw to cover the stems, leaving a few inches exposed.
- Position the bag in a sunny location and rotate it regularly to ensure even growth.
- Water regularly, checking moisture levels by inserting your finger into the soil.
- Watch out for pests and diseases, especially in a confined space like a bag.
Caring for Potato Plants
Potatoes require regular care to thrive:
- Water deeply once a week, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Keep an eye out for signs of pests and diseases, and take prompt action to control them.
- Monitor growth and adjust support structures as needed to prevent plants from toppling over.
Common Problems With Potato Plants
Potatoes can fall victim to a range of common garden pests and diseases, such as:
Potato Beetles
These pests can be identified by their distinctive yellow-orange bodies with black stripes. To control them, manually remove both the adult beetles and their larvae, or utilize organic insecticides as needed.
Late Blight
Recognizable by the appearance of dark lesions on leaves and stems, late blight is a fungal disease that can devastate potato crops. Promptly remove and dispose of any affected plants to prevent further spread within the garden.
Potato Scab
Identified by the rough, scaly patches that develop on the surface of potato tubers, this bacterial disease thrives in acidic soil conditions. Improve soil drainage and maintain a neutral pH level to minimize the risk of potato scab affecting your crop.
When to Harvest Potatoes
Knowing when to harvest potatoes is crucial for optimal flavor and storage. Here’s how to tell when they’re ready:
- In-ground potatoes: Wait until the tops of the plants turn yellow and start to die back. Dig gently around the base of the plant to harvest.
- Bag-grown potatoes: Wait until the plants start to wither and die back. Open the harvest window — if your grow bag has one — and gently remove the potatoes. Otherwise, empty the bag gently and gather the potatoes.
How to Store Whole Potatoes
To store whole potatoes for later use, you first have to cure them. Cure freshly harvested potatoes by spreading them out in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. This hardens their skins and allows you to store them for several months as long as they are kept in temperatures below 50°F.
Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark place with good air circulation, such as a dry basement, cellar, or pantry. Be sure to keep them out of sunlight so that they don’t sprout.
Preserving Potatoes
If you have an abundance of potatoes, consider preserving them for even longer storage:
Freezing Potatoes
Freezing food prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause food to spoil. To freeze fresh potatoes, first slice or cube them, and then blanch them before freezing to retain their quality. Frozen potato pieces can last up to a year in the freezer.
Dehydrating
Dehydrating food preserves it by removing moisture, which prevents bacteria and mold from growing. To dehydrate potatoes, slice them thinly or make mashed potatoes and dry them in a dehydrator or oven.
If mashing potatoes first, avoid adding dairy products like butter, milk, or cream. These products will spoil when stored.
Dehydrated potatoes can be stored for 1-2 years, according to USAID.
Pressure Canning Potatoes
If you want to can potatoes, keep in mind that water bath canning is NOT a safe method for doing so. You’ll have to use a pressure canner since potatoes are low-acid.
To pressure can potatoes, start by washing and peeling them before cutting them into uniform pieces. Next, pack the potatoes into sterilized jars and cover them with boiling water, leaving about an inch of headspace.
Process the jars in a pressure canner according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically at 10 pounds of pressure for about 35-40 minutes for quart jars.
Properly canned potatoes can last for up to 1-2 years when stored in a cool, dark place.
How to Save Seed Potatoes for Next Year
When harvesting potatoes destined to become seed potatoes for next year’s crop, it’s crucial to wait until the plant starts to die back. This indicates that the potatoes have reached maturity and are entering dormancy, essential for storage. Be sure to select healthy, disease-free potatoes from this year’s harvest.
After harvest, it’s essential that you cure the seed potatoes to toughen their skins and prolong storage life. To properly cure potatoes, spread them out in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks.
Once cured, find an ideal spot to store them. When storing cured seed potatoes, ensure good ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and rot. Opt for breathable containers like paper or burlap sacks, mesh bags, or wooden crates.
Ideally, seed potatoes should be stored in temperatures between 35° and 40°F, though they can still keep for several months at temperatures up to 50°F.
Be sure to block out any light from reaching your potatoes so that they don’t sprout early.
Ready to Grow Potatoes?
Growing potatoes at home is a rewarding and straightforward endeavor that anyone can enjoy — whether you have acres of land or just a few pots on your balcony. By following these guidelines for planting, caring, and harvesting, you’ll soon be enjoying a bountiful supply of fresh, homegrown potatoes year-round.
So roll up your sleeves, grab some seed potatoes, and get ready to dig into the wonderful world of potato gardening!