Growing 101: Potatoes

The average American eats 120 pounds of potatoes each year according to Farmer’s Almanac. That’s a lot of potatoes! And they’re healthy, too. Potatoes USA reports that potatoes are a nutrient dense vegetable, and (with the skin on) contain quality carbohydrates, potassium, Vitamins C and B6, plant-based protein, iron and fiber.

Growing potatoes yourself can be a fun and tasty experience. If you’re a beginner, they’re relatively easy to grow. Here's a guide to get you started.

What Type of Potato?

Start by finding “seed” potatoes of a variety you like to eat. You can buy them locally at feed and garden stores. Look for firm, blemish-free potatoes with at least one “eye” or sprout. Don’t try planting potatoes you’ve gotten from the grocery store. These potatoes are typically treated to deter sprouting.

Planting & Care

Potatoes can be planted about 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost date, which is now in our region. Pick a spot with at least six hours of sunlight.

Potatoes grow best in fertile, loose, and well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0. Add compost or organic matter to the soil for better growth. Hard and compacted soil can lead to malformed potatoes.

Cut your seed potatoes into pieces (approx. 1 – 2 inches in size), with each piece having at least one 'eye' or sprout. Let the pieces sit for a few days in a dark, warm, dry place. This allows the cut surfaces to callus over, which helps prevent rot and disease. Plant them about 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart, with the eyes facing up.

As your plants grow, add soil, straw, or mulch around the base of the stem to create a mound, or 'hill.' This is called hilling and helps protect the growing potatoes from sunlight. The stem and leaves need sunlight, but not the potato. If they are exposed to sunlight and start turning green, be careful. According to Healthline, potatoes when exposed to sunlight “produce chlorophyll, a pigment that turns them green. Chlorophyll itself is completely harmless, but it can signal the presence of a toxin”. Hilling also encourages more potatoes to form in the soil.

Consistent moisture is needed, especially during the growing season. Water your potatoes regularly because they need about 1-2 inches per week.

“Tip: Not sure how much rain your garden has received? Add a rain gauge!”

Potatoes are heavy feeders. Apply a balanced, preferably organic fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) at the time of planting and halfway through the growing season.

Watch your potato plants for signs of pests, such as potato beetles, aphids, and cutworms. The best way to get rid of pests is to pick them off when you spot them. Common potato diseases are early and late blight. Yellow or shriveled leaves before the end of the season might be a sign of blight. Remove and discard them in the trash (not your compost). Use a natural fungicide if necessary. Early detection is best!

Harvesting & Storage

The potatoes deepest in your soil will be the largest. You can start harvesting those to begin enjoying the fruits of your labor, and leave the smaller potatoes to keep growing. These are referred to as “new” potatoes because they are dug up early in the growing season, before reaching full maturity. They have thin, delicate skin and a tender, moist texture. These potatoes are often more flavorful than fully mature ones. But they don’t store well, so eat your new potatoes within a week or two.

Potatoes are mature after the plant begins to yellow and dies back naturally. Leave them in the ground for about 2 weeks to allow the skin to harden. Gently dig around the base of the plant to find the potatoes, taking care not to bruise or damage them.

Once harvested, store the potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for about 2 weeks to allow them to “cure”. Curing encourages the skin to toughen up, making the potatoes suitable for long-term storage. Place the cured potatoes in a burlap bag or a container that permits air flow, and store in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space.

Growing in Containers

Growing potatoes in a bag or container is a great way to save space. As the plants grow, you can continue to add soil or compost once they’re about 8 to 10 inches tall. As they continue to grow, repeat adding soil until the bag or container is full. You can also use thick mulch or hay instead of soil.

Companion Plants

Some good companion plants for potatoes include beans, celery, corn, garlic, onions, and marigolds. These plants can even help keep pests away and improve soil health. On the other hand, avoid planting potatoes near tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants. These plants are in the same family and can share similar pests and diseases. It's also a good idea to avoid planting potatoes near sunflowers, as they can stunt potato growth.

Have you grown potatoes before? Any other tips you’d like to share? Please leave us a comment. Happy gardening, and enjoy those potatoes!