Find out how to plant seed potatoes correctly with these simple, step-by-step instructions.
The key is to start with certified disease-free seed potatoes.
What Are Seed Potatoes?
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Seed potatoes are potatoes that were specially grown for planting.
Tempted to plant potatoes from the grocery store?
Also, some potato varieties may be patented, making themillegal to propagate.
It’s always best to buy disease-free seed potatoes at garden supply stores and online.
When to Plant Seed Potatoes
The planting time depends on your last average frost date.
This can be as early as March and as late as May for northern locations.
In warm regions, seed potatoes are often planted in the fall or winter.
Potatoes form best at soil temperatures between 60 and 70F.
The eyes (buds) on the potatoes will swell and grow into sprouts.
Cut the Seed Potatoes
Depending on their size, your seed potatoes may require cutting after chitting.
Each of these eyes will sprout into a new plant.
Small seed potatoes less than 2 inches across can be kept whole.
This extra drying time helps to protect the seed potatoes from rot once they are planted in the ground.
Dig trenches or holes.
For a large planting, trenches are an efficient way to plant seed potatoes.
For smaller plantings, dig individual holes for each seed potato.
Plant your seed potatoes with their cut sides down (if applicable) and sprouts facing up.
Space the potatoes 12 to 15 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Cover the potatoes with 2 to 4 inches of soil.
After covering your seed potatoes, water the planting area well.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts emerge after planting.
Hill the potatoes as they grow.
About a week after planting, shoots will start to poke through the soil.
When the shoots are 6 to 8 inches tall, mound several inches of soil around them.
If exposed to the sun, they will turn green and become inedible.
For the best potato harvest, hill the potato plants again two to three weeks later.
Toplant potatoes in containers, you need a pot at least 2 to 3 feet deep.
In general, one potato plant will need about 212 gallons of growing space.
Use a good quality potting mix that drains well in the container.
Add about 3 inches of the mix to your pot, then plant your seed potatoes.
Then follow the same steps as you would when growing seed potatoes in a garden bed.
Growing companion plantsis a natural way of keeping your potatoes pest-free.
