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Growing Potatoes From Seeds

Growing Potatoes From Seed

Growing potatoes is surprisingly easy! While growing them direct in the garden seems perfect, and will provide the largest yield- know that it will require some serious digging around harvest time. Growing in a bag is the easiest way to go for beginners, just make sure you pick an appropriatley sized bag. (see below)

  • Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

    • Cut into chunks: Slice the potato into several 1-inch pieces. Ensure each piece has at least one “eye” (bud), but try not to have too many on a single piece to prevent overcrowding.

    • Air-dry: Let the pieces sit out for at least 24 hours. This toughens the outer layer to help the potato resist disease and rot once planted.

    Step 2: Prepare the Soil & Plant

    • In the Ground

      Wait until the danger of frost has passed. Work your garden bed to a depth of 9 inches. Apply compost and work it into the soil. Plant the pieces with the “eye” facing up.

    • In a Container

      If you have heavy clay soil, use a large container like a garbage can. Ensure the container has drainage holes and use well-draining soil. This method keeps the environment controlled and prevents the potatoes from getting waterlogged. Some grow bags are specifically made for potatoes and will have a “harvest flap.” If you use a garbage can, do not use metal as it can rust.

    Container Size

    Recommended Plant Count

    5-Gallon Bucket/Bag

    1–2 plants

    10-Gallon Bucket/Bag

    3–4 plants

    32-Gallon Trash Can

    4–6 plants

    Step 3: Mounding and Feeding

    • Initial Mound: Cover the potato with a 6-inch-deep mound of mulch or straw. Water gently to settle the material.

    • Regular Feeding: Once vines peek through, feed them with compost fish emulsion or seaweed extract will help provide the best harvest.

    • Continued Mounding: As the stems grow another 6 inches, add more mulch around them. Stop feeding once the flowers open.

    Step 4: Harvest

    • New Potatoes: Wait for flowers to appear. You can then  harvest about 20% of the small “new” potatoes early. Keep the plant watered so it continues to produce.

    • Mature Potatoes: If you want larger potatoes, stop watering after the flower begin to fade. This signals the plant to focus all its energy on sizing up the tubers. Wait for the foliage to turn yellow, then brown, and eventually wilt and die back completely.Once the vines are dead, leave the tubers in the ground for another 10 to 14 days. This allows the skins to “set” and toughen up so they don’t bruise or rot in storage.