So why would you want to learn how to grow potatoes when they are so inexpensive to purchase? Good question. I agree that even organic potatoes are reasonably priced. However, if like I am and love those fancy French fingerlings, potatoes-especially a beautiful dish of red, gold, and blue ones roasted to perfection-you will pay top dollar for that upscale palate. But you can grow them for pennies and, harvest and store them properly; they will last you all winter.
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Grow Fingerling Potatoes:
SIS (Simple is Smart) Supplies:
- Seed potatoes I use potatoes that were left over from the year before. I store them in a cool dark place and when they start to sprout I set them aside for planting in the spring.
- Knife
- You can purchase seed potatoes or purchase organic potatoes and let them sprout before you cut them up for planting. Make sure you purchases organic potatoes if you aren’t using seed potatoes.
- Until you have seed potatoes that were left over from the prior year, you can obtain organic seed potatoes here.
Directions:
- Ready the seed potatoes for planting by cutting them into pieces. Each piece needs at least 2 eyes. Most potatoes will give you 3 or 4 pieces. Each piece, when planted, will become a new potato plant. If you purchase 3 seed potatoes, you will get about 12 potato plants. Those 12 plants will yield–are you ready for this–up to 50 pounds of potatoes! OMG! That’s a lot of potatoes! If you are growing little fingerling potatoes, expect about 15 pounds of potatos.
- Once your seed potatoes are cut into the proper size pieces, they need a few days to heal their cuts before you get them dirty. Healing is important for moisture retention and rot resistance of the potato.
While they are healing let’s talk some potato Folklore!
- According to the Farmers’ Almanac, old-timers in New England planted their potato crops when they saw dandelions blooming in the open fields.
- The Pennsylvania Dutch considered St. Patrick’s Day to be their official potato-planting day.
- Many Christians believed that Good Friday was the best day to plant potatoes because the devil holds no power over them at this time. (Interesting Folklore, but for me, I don’t plant them too early as a late freeze can ruin my crop, so I plant them in May when I can find the time.)
Time to plant the potatoes.
Where should you plant your potato pieces? You can plant them in many, many places: the garden (duh), a raised bed, a large patio pot, or a 5-gallon bucket (I‘ve never tried it, but a friend of mine swears a 5-gallon bucket is the perfect potato-grower!
- For the garden, dig a trench about 6 inches wide and 8 inches deep tapering to 3 inches wide at the bottom.
- Add about 3 inches of compost into the bottom of the trench.
- Place a seed potato piece, cut side down every 12 inches in the trench.
- Cover with 3-4 inches of soil and pack the soil by walking over the covered potatoes.
In about two weeks, when sprouts are 6 inches tall, use a hoe to gently fill in the trench with another 3-4 inches of soil, leaving about 2 inches of the plant exposed.
Repeat every few weeks until the soil is mounded up about 4-5 inches above the ground level. This is called hilling. Hilling keeps the potatoes from becoming sunburned. If the tubers, the thickened stems of the potatoes, are exposed to the sun, they turn green and produce a chemical called Solanine that gives off a bitter taste and is toxic.
The process is the same for a raised bed. It is helpful if the raised bed has adjustable sides that can be raised as the potato plant grows, so the final hilling brings the soil level to the top of the bed.
My friend, who grows potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket on his balcony, drills about eight holes in the bottom of the bucket for drainage. He then puts 2 inches of gravel in the bucket and 3-4 inches of fertile, organic soil. Steps 1-9 are repeated, with the last hilling bringing the soil just below the rim of the bucket.
What is the yield for a bucket of potato seeds? According to him, about 1-1/2 pounds of potatoes. Grown in the garden, the yield is about 4 pounds per plant. If you grow potatoes in a bucket, I would love to hear how it worked out for you. Happy hilling.
Once you have a lovely basket of fingerling potatoes you planted, grew and harvested, it’s time to enjoy them in some recipes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Baked Salmon with Purple Roasted Potatoes
- Baby Potatoes with Sugar Pod Peas
- Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
- Crispy Parmesan Purple Potatoes
Pop on over to my social media sites where you’ll find exclusive Doctor Jo’s prescriptions for a healthy and happy life, including daily pictures of what’s new in my gardens. Make sure you click the like button, share and subscribe. I love your comments, so let me know what you think.
FAQ for growing potatoes.
What is the best time to plant a potato?
The best time to plant potatoes is typically in the early spring, just after the last frost has passed. This ensures that the soil is warm enough to support their growth and minimizes the risk of frost damage. However, the exact timing may vary depending on your location and climate. Some gardeners prefer planting potatoes as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring, while others wait until the soil temperature reaches a certain threshold. Regardless of the exact timing, giving your potato plants enough time to grow and mature before the onset of hot summer weather is crucial. The last couple of years, it has been so warm over the winter in NY that the potatoes left in the ground sprouted over the winter and now are growing into new potato plants.
How long do potatoes take to grow from planting?
On average, it takes about 10 to 12 weeks for potatoes to reach maturity after planting. However, this can be influenced by the potato variety, weather conditions, and how well they are cared for. Some early varieties of potatoes can be ready to harvest in as little as 8 weeks, while others may take closer to 16 weeks. The potatoes that stayed in the ground over the winter are usually ready to start picking by the end of June.
Do potatoes need to sprout before planting?
Yes, potatoes do best if they have sprouted before planting. Sprouting, also known as chitting, can help jumpstart the growth process and give the potatoes a head start. However, if you don’t have the time or space to allow your potatoes to sprout, you can still plant them directly into the soil. Just ensure the potatoes have healthy eyes and are firm to the touch.
Do potatoes grow well in soil?
Yes, potatoes do grow well in soil. Potatoes are quite adaptable and can thrive in various soil types. However, they do have some preferences. Ideally, potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. This allows their roots to grow deep and spread out, resulting in healthier plants and bigger yields. Additionally, potatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.0. So, if you’re considering growing potatoes in your backyard garden or even in containers, prepare the soil accordingly.
Do potatoes grow better in sun or shade?
Potatoes thrive in full sun. Potatoes require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to grow optimally. Sunlight provides the energy needed for photosynthesis, which is essential for producing starches and sugars in the potato plant. Additionally, sunlight helps to dry out the soil, reducing the risk of diseases such as blight. While some shade may be tolerated by potato plants, it is best to provide them with as much sun as possible for a bountiful harvest.
What climate is best for growing potatoes?
Potatoes thrive in cool climates with moderate temperatures. Ideally, they prefer temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 21 degrees Celsius). However, they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) to as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). The key is to provide consistent temperatures throughout the growing season. Additionally, potatoes require a frost-free period of at least 90 to 120 days, which allows them to mature and develop their tubers. This makes regions with a longer growing season more suitable for potato cultivation. Another essential factor to consider is the amount of rainfall. Potatoes need well-drained soil and a consistent water supply, but excessive moisture can lead to rotting. Therefore, regions with moderate rainfall or access to irrigation are ideal for growing potatoes. In conclusion, a cool climate with moderate temperatures, a frost-free period, and adequate but not excessive rainfall are the best conditions for successful potato cultivation.
What is the best fertilizer for potatoes?
The best fertilizer for potatoes provides a balanced mix of essential nutrients. Potatoes require a higher amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to other vegetables. Therefore, a fertilizer with a higher NPK ratio, such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14, is ideal for promoting healthy growth and maximizing yield. Additionally, organic fertilizers like compost or well-rotted manure can be beneficial as they improve soil structure and add valuable nutrients. Ultimately, the best fertilizer for potatoes depends on the specific needs of your soil and the variety of potatoes you are growing. Conducting a soil test and consult with local gardening experts to determine the most suitable fertilizer for your potato crop is always recommended.
How many potatoes per plant?
A potato plant can produce anywhere from 4 to 12 potatoes per plant. However, this number can be influenced by the type of potato being grown, the size of the plant, and the growing conditions. Some varieties produce more potatoes than others, while specific growing techniques such as hilling can increase the yield. So, while there is no set number of potatoes per plant, with proper care and attention, you can expect a decent harvest from each potato plant you cultivate.
What is the spacing for potatoes?
Spacing ensures that each potato plant has enough room to grow and develop without competing with its neighboring plants for nutrients and space. The general rule for spacing potatoes is to allow approximately 12 to 15 inches between each plant. This allows enough space for the plants to spread out and for the tubers to develop underground. Spacing also helps with airflow between the plants, reducing the risk of diseases and promoting healthy growth.
where do you live at ? i live in oregon . close to albany .. i love your posts and will continue to get them when your site has a share and join botton on it . thank you so much .. it is fun to learn and now i am interested in doing sprouts again .
Hi Diana: So glad you love my posts. I live in upstate New York. I just added a join button to my home page. Also at the end of each post, there are links to social media sites where you can share it on social media. Were you looking to share it using a different venue than social media?