Guidance on Propagating Seed Potatoes for an Abundant Harvest of Taters
If you've only had the pleasure of consuming store-bought spuds, it's high time you experience the sheer delight of homegrown potatoes by embarking on a journey to plant seed potatoes. The secret to success lies in start with disease-free seed potatoes. Once you've got that covered, follow these straightforward guidelines to prepare, plant, and grow your very own healthier, more flavorful potatoes.
What Are Seed Potatoes?
Seed potatoes are specially grown tubers meant for planting. Unlike the groceried potatoes residing in your pantry, these spuds haven't been treated with a growth inhibitor, which prevents sprouting in the pantry. Attempting to plant store-bought potatoes might yield disastrous results due to the inhibitors and the potential to harbor plant pathogens that can harm your crop. Additionally, some potato varieties may be patented, making propagation illegal. To ensure certitude, always opt for disease-free seed potatoes at garden supply stores or web-based vendors.
Planting Seed Potatoes
The planting window spans between two to four weeks prior to your area's last average frost date in spring. Typically, this timeframe varies between March and May for northern locations. In warm climates, planting occurs during the fall or winter months. Potatoes thrive at soil temperatures between 60 and 70°F.
Preparing Seed Potatoes
Before planting, seed potatoes require some preparation to ensure optimum growth.
1. Chitting the Seed Potatoes
For better planting results, aim to plant "chitted" seed potatoes rather than potatoes without sprouts. Tubers with sprouts enjoy a head start and are less prone to rotting in the ground. To chit potatoes, place them in a well-lit, cool area for a week to 10 days. The sprouts will grow from the potatoes' eyes.
2. Cutting the Seed Potatoes (if necessary)
Depending on their size, seed potatoes may require cutting into smaller pieces. Every piece should contain at least two eyes or sprouts. Small seed potatoes can be planted whole. Once cut, spread the pieces in a single layer on a tray and allow them to dry for two to three days in well-ventilated conditions to form a callus layer on the cut ends, protecting them from soil rot once planted.
Site Preparation
Provide the best growing conditions for your potato crop by following these guidelines:
- Select a sunny spot
- Ensure good drainage
- Amend the soil by adding compost
- Rotate crops to minimize pests and diseases
Planting in Garden Beds
After site preparation and ready seed potatoes, execute the following steps to plant in garden beds:
- Dig trenches or holes, depending on soil type.
- Place seed potatoes with sprouts facing up, then cover with soil.
- Space the potatoes, with first earlies at 30 cm apart in rows 60 cm apart, second earlies at 37 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart, and maincrops at 40 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart.
- Water well, keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts emerge.
- After shoots emerge, hill the potatoes to create a loose soil area for tuber development.
Planting in Containers
Smaller types of potatoes, such as fingerling potatoes, are well-suited for containers. Use a good-quality potting mix, plant the potatoes, and space them according to the variety in a container deep enough to accommodate root growth. Follow the same steps as in garden bed planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When’s the right time to harvest potatoes?
Harvest early potatoes once the plant flowers, usually 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Later, you can harvest the entire plant with mature potatoes when the plant tops start yellowing and dying back.
What's the best method to keep pests away from potato plants?
Plant companion crops like sweet alyssum, allium, cilantro, nasturtium, beans, peas, and marigolds to naturally protect your potato crop from common pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, and cutworms.
In the world of gardening, Bethany Hills Gardens (BHG) often provides valuable information. For example, they emphasize the importance of using seed potatoes for vegetable gardening. Unlike grocery potatoes, seed potatoes haven't been treated with a growth inhibitor, making them ideal for edible gardening.
Additionally, when preparing seed potatoes for planting, it's recommended to chit them, or leave them in a well-lit area for a week to 10 days, to encourage sprouting. This helps them grow faster and reduces the risk of rot in the ground.
