Plant Your Own Potatoes: A Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever come across a forgotten bag of potatoes in the depths of your pantry, only to find that they have sprouted? Don’t throw them away! Those sprouted potatoes can actually be planted to grow new ones. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of regrowing sprouted potatoes, from preparation to harvest.

Can You Really Grow Potatoes from Sprouts?

Absolutely! Sprouted potatoes can be planted and will yield more potatoes. With just one sprouted potato, you can grow several potato plants and ultimately harvest a bunch of fresh potatoes.

How to Regrow Sprouted Potatoes

You can use any type of sprouted potato, be it sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, or white potatoes. The process is the same. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Prepare Your Garden Bed

Before planting your sprouted potatoes, prepare your garden bed. Mound soil into rows, as potato plants grow best when the dirt is mounded. The leaves of the plant grow above ground, while the roots and potatoes develop underground. The bigger the mound, the more room the potatoes will have to grow. Scoop the soil on either side of the row and pile it up in the middle, creating a mound between 8″ and 12″ tall. For larger gardens, you can use a shovel, gardening hoe, or rake. Keep the rows about 1 foot apart.

Step 2: Count and Cut the Sprouts

The number of potato plants you will get depends on how many sprouts the potato has. Each sprouted eye on the potato can be cut and grown into a plant. If an eye has multiple sprouts, leave them grouped together when you make your cuts.

Step 3: Separate and Prepare the Sprouts

Carefully cut each sprouted eye, leaving a small amount of the potato attached to the sprout. You don’t need to store the sprouts in water or soak them before planting. Ideally, let the skin dry a bit to seal out disease, but don’t let the sprouted parts dry up. Store the sprouts in a cool, dry place after cutting.

Step 4: Plant the Sprouts

Plant the sprouts cut-side down, with the sprout-side facing up. Each sprout should be planted 3-4″ below the surface of the soil. Make sure to space the plants at least 12″ apart so they have room to grow both below and above ground. It will take about a week for the plants to push through the soil and open up their leaves. Keep them watered and ensure they receive plenty of sunlight.

Step 5: Care for Your Potato Plants

Continue to water and weed around your potato plants. If your soil is not very rich, consider fertilizing it. As the plants grow, you can also mound soil around the base of the plant. Potatoes generally need around 3 months to grow and produce a harvest, although this may vary depending on the variety.

Step 6: Harvest Your Potatoes

Knowing when to harvest your potatoes can be tricky since they grow underground. However, you can tell they are ready when the visible plant dies off, either after the first frost or naturally in the fall. Now comes the fun part! Grab a garden fork or use your hands (with garden gloves) to dig into the mounded dirt and sift for your potatoes. You’ll likely find a variety of sizes. Remember not to wash your harvested potatoes. Keep them dry to avoid rot, and use a dry, soft vegetable brush to clean off any dirt. Store them in a cool, dry place, where they can last for up to 6 weeks or more.

Tips for Successful Potato Growing

Potatoes thrive in cooler climates with at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Avoid planting when the ground temperature drops below 40°F (5°C). Potatoes also prefer soil temperatures between 45-50°F (8-10°C) but can grow in warmer conditions as well.

Storing Sprouted Potatoes

If the weather is not suitable for planting your sprouted potatoes, you can store them. Place them in a cool, dark, and dry location with temperatures between 35-40°F (2-4°C), such as a refrigerator or cold basement. These conditions will keep them dormant until you’re ready to plant. When it’s time to activate them, move them to a warm location. If they have become dry and wrinkled, that’s okay as long as they are not mushy or rotten. Adding some light and a little moisture can help them sprout again.

Planting Possibilities

Did you know that you can also plant sprouted onions? Discover how you can grow onions from sprouts and diversify your home garden even further!

Time to Get Cooking!

While you wait for your homegrown potatoes to flourish, why not check out our easy recipes for some inspiration on what to make with your freshly harvested potatoes? Browse through our collection and find delicious dishes to enjoy!