How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes

Potatoes are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in your backyard garden. And the best news is that you don't even have to buy seed potatoes. You can simply use some of the potatoes from your pantry to start your own potato plants. In this article, we'll go over the steps you need to take to grow potatoes from potatoes.

1. Choose Your Potatoes

The first step in growing potatoes from potatoes is to choose the right potatoes. You will want to select potatoes that are clean, firm, and free from any sprouts or blemishes. You can use any type of potato to grow new potato plants, but it is best to use organic potatoes to avoid any exposure to chemicals that may be present on non-organic potatoes.

2. Cut Your Potatoes

Next, you will need to cut your potatoes into pieces. Each potato should be cut into pieces that are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in size. Each piece should have at least one eye, which is a small bud that will sprout and grow into a new plant.

3. Cure Your Potatoes

After you've cut your potatoes, it's best to leave them out for a few days to cure. Curing allows the cut surfaces to dry out and form a protective barrier that will help prevent the potatoes from rotting when you plant them in the ground.

4. Prepare Your Soil

While your potatoes are curing, it's a good time to prepare your soil. Potatoes do best in loose soil that is rich in organic matter. They also like a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. If your soil is too alkaline, you can add sulfur to lower the pH.

5. Plant Your Potatoes

Once your potatoes have cured and your soil is ready, it's time to plant your potatoes. Dig a hole that is about 4-6 inches deep and place the potato piece in the hole with the eye facing up. Cover the potato with soil, leaving just a small amount of the potato exposed above ground. Space your potato pieces about 12 inches apart.

6. Water and Fertilize

After you've planted your potatoes, be sure to water them well. Potatoes need about 1-2 inches of water per week. It's also a good idea to fertilize your potatoes with a balanced fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and potassium. You can apply fertilizer when you plant your potatoes and again when they start to flower.

7. Hill Your Potatoes

As your potato plants grow, you will need to hill them. This involves mounding soil around the base of the plants to cover the lower stems and any potatoes that are exposed above ground. Hilling helps protect the potatoes from sunlight, which can turn them green and make them poisonous. It also encourages the plants to produce more potatoes.

8. Harvest Your Potatoes

Potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants start to die back and the leaves turn yellow. Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork, being careful not to damage them. Let the potatoes dry out in a cool, dark place for a week or two before storing them in a cool, dry place.

Growing potatoes from potatoes is a simple and rewarding process. By following these steps, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, delicious potatoes from your own backyard garden.