Potatoes are a staple in diets worldwide, enjoyed in countless forms, from crispy fries to creamy mashed potatoes. The ease with which they can be grown makes them a popular choice for home gardeners. But can you simply grab a potato from the grocery store and plant it in your garden? The answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. Let’s delve into the intricacies of growing potatoes from “normal” potatoes, exploring the potential pitfalls and the best practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Understanding Potato Propagation: Seed Potatoes vs. Table Potatoes
The key to successful potato cultivation lies in understanding the different types of potatoes available. While they might look similar, there’s a crucial distinction between seed potatoes and table potatoes (the kind you buy at the grocery store). This difference can significantly impact your success rate.
Seed Potatoes: Bred for Growing
Seed potatoes are specifically grown and certified for propagation. They are carefully selected from disease-free plants and undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are healthy and vigorous. This certification process guarantees a higher chance of success when planting them. They are essentially potato “seeds,” though technically they are tubers, not seeds in the botanical sense. They are bred for specific traits like disease resistance, yield, and flavor.
Table Potatoes: Meant for Consumption
Table potatoes, on the other hand, are intended for consumption. While they can sometimes sprout and potentially grow into new plants, they are not specifically bred or treated for this purpose. They are often treated with sprout inhibitors to extend their shelf life, which can hinder their ability to grow if planted. Furthermore, they might carry diseases that could affect your garden soil.
The Risks of Planting Store-Bought Potatoes
While the idea of using a grocery store potato to grow more potatoes is tempting, there are several risks associated with this approach.
Sprout Inhibitors: The Biggest Hurdle
One of the most significant challenges is the presence of sprout inhibitors. These chemicals are commonly applied to table potatoes to prevent them from sprouting on store shelves, extending their usability for consumers. These inhibitors can prevent the potato from developing the necessary sprouts (eyes) needed for successful growth.
Disease Transmission: A Garden’s Nightmare
Grocery store potatoes are not certified disease-free. They may carry diseases like late blight, potato virus Y (PVY), or common scab. Planting these potatoes can introduce these pathogens into your garden soil, potentially infecting other plants and causing long-term problems.
Unknown Variety: Guessing Game
You likely won’t know the specific variety of potato you are planting if it’s from the grocery store. This makes it difficult to predict the plant’s growth habits, yield potential, and even the taste of the potatoes it produces. You’re essentially entering a guessing game with unpredictable results.
Lower Yield: Disappointing Harvest
Even if a store-bought potato does sprout and grow, it’s unlikely to produce the same yield as a certified seed potato. The plant may be weaker, less resistant to pests and diseases, and ultimately produce fewer and smaller potatoes.
When Store-Bought Potatoes Might Work
Despite the risks, there are situations where planting store-bought potatoes might be successful, though it still involves a degree of risk.
Organic Potatoes: A Better Chance
If you choose to use store-bought potatoes, opt for organic varieties. Organic potatoes are less likely to be treated with sprout inhibitors, increasing the chances of successful sprouting. However, they still pose a risk of carrying diseases.
Sprouting Potatoes: A Sign of Hope
If you notice potatoes in your pantry that have already started to sprout (develop “eyes”), they are more likely to grow if planted. The fact that they are sprouting indicates that the sprout inhibitor, if any, is no longer effective.
Small-Scale Experiment: Manage Your Expectations
If you’re determined to try planting store-bought potatoes, consider it a small-scale experiment. Don’t rely on them for your entire potato crop. Plant a few in a separate area of your garden to minimize the risk of spreading diseases to your other plants.
Preparing Store-Bought Potatoes for Planting (If You Dare)
If you decide to proceed with planting store-bought potatoes, here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success, keeping in mind that success is not guaranteed.
Chitting (Sprouting) Potatoes: Encouraging Growth
Chitting, or pre-sprouting, involves encouraging the potatoes to sprout before planting. Place the potatoes in a cool, bright location (but not in direct sunlight) for a few weeks. This process encourages the development of short, green sprouts, which will give the plants a head start once planted.
Cutting the Potatoes: More Plants, More Risk
You can cut the potatoes into pieces, ensuring that each piece has at least one or two “eyes” (sprouts). Allow the cut surfaces to dry and callous over for a few days before planting. This helps prevent rot. However, cutting the potatoes increases the risk of disease transmission, as it creates open wounds where pathogens can enter.
Soil Preparation: A Foundation for Growth
Prepare the soil well before planting. Potatoes prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to provide essential nutrients.
Planting: Timing is Key
Plant the potato pieces or whole small potatoes (if you’re using small ones) about 4-6 inches deep and 12 inches apart. Rows should be spaced about 2-3 feet apart. The best time to plant potatoes is usually in early spring, after the last frost.
Hilling: Encouraging Potato Production
As the potato plants grow, hill the soil around the base of the plants. This encourages the formation of more tubers along the stems.
Why Seed Potatoes Are the Superior Choice
While planting store-bought potatoes might seem like a cost-effective option, the benefits of using certified seed potatoes far outweigh the potential risks.
Disease-Free Guarantee: Peace of Mind
Seed potatoes are certified disease-free, ensuring that you are not introducing harmful pathogens into your garden soil. This is crucial for maintaining the health of your garden and preventing long-term problems.
Variety Selection: Choosing the Best Fit
Seed potatoes allow you to choose specific varieties that are best suited for your climate, soil conditions, and desired taste. This ensures that you are growing potatoes that are likely to thrive in your garden.
Higher Yield: More Potatoes for Your Effort
Seed potatoes are bred for high yield, meaning you can expect to harvest more potatoes per plant compared to using store-bought potatoes. This makes your gardening efforts more rewarding.
Vigor and Health: Strong, Resilient Plants
Seed potatoes are selected for their vigor and health, resulting in strong, resilient plants that are better able to withstand pests and diseases.
Alternative Methods for Potato Propagation
Beyond seed potatoes and store-bought potatoes, there are other methods of potato propagation that you might find interesting.
True Potato Seeds (TPS): A Novel Approach
While most potatoes are grown from tubers, they can also be grown from true potato seeds (TPS). These seeds are produced from potato flowers. However, growing potatoes from TPS is a more challenging process and often results in plants with variable characteristics.
Tissue Culture: Advanced Propagation
Tissue culture is a technique used to propagate plants in a sterile laboratory environment. This method allows for the production of disease-free potato plants with desirable traits. It’s not typically used by home gardeners but is important in commercial potato production.
Conclusion: Weighing the Risks and Rewards
While it’s technically possible to grow potatoes from store-bought potatoes, it’s not the most reliable or recommended method. The risks of disease transmission, sprout inhibitor presence, and unknown variety outweigh the potential cost savings. Investing in certified seed potatoes is the best way to ensure a healthy, productive, and rewarding potato harvest. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with store-bought potatoes, but manage your expectations and be prepared for potential disappointment. Ultimately, a little planning and the right choice of seed potatoes will lead to a far more successful and satisfying potato-growing experience.
Can all store-bought potatoes be used for planting?
Store-bought potatoes are not always the best choice for planting due to the potential for disease transmission and the likelihood that they have been treated with sprout inhibitors. These inhibitors prevent the potatoes from sprouting, which is necessary for them to grow into new potato plants. While some untreated, organic potatoes from the store may sprout and potentially grow, there’s still a risk associated with using them.
It’s generally recommended to use certified seed potatoes specifically bred for planting. Seed potatoes are inspected for diseases and are guaranteed to be free from harmful chemicals, increasing the chances of a successful harvest. They are also selected for desirable traits like disease resistance and high yields, leading to a more predictable and productive gardening experience.
How do I prepare store-bought potatoes for planting if I choose to use them?
If you decide to use store-bought potatoes, select organic potatoes that show signs of sprouting, indicating they haven’t been treated with sprout inhibitors. Place the potatoes in a bright, cool location for a week or two to encourage further sprouting. This process, called “chitting,” helps the potatoes develop strong sprouts before planting.
Once the sprouts are about an inch long, you can cut the potato into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one or two “eyes” or sprouts. Allow the cut pieces to air dry for a day or two to form a callous over the cut surfaces, which will help prevent rot once planted. Plant these pieces with the cut side down and the sprouts facing upwards, following the recommended spacing and depth guidelines for potato cultivation.
What are the risks associated with planting store-bought potatoes?
The primary risk is the potential for introducing diseases into your garden. Store-bought potatoes may carry fungal, viral, or bacterial diseases that can infect your soil and subsequently affect other plants. Once these diseases are established, they can be difficult to eradicate, potentially impacting future harvests.
Another significant risk is the inconsistent performance of store-bought potatoes. Unlike seed potatoes, which are specifically bred for planting, store-bought potatoes are intended for consumption. This means they may not possess the desired traits for optimal growth and yield, resulting in a less productive crop or plants that are more susceptible to environmental stressors.
When is the best time to plant potatoes?
The ideal time to plant potatoes is typically in early spring, around two to four weeks before the last expected frost. Soil temperature should be consistently above 45°F (7°C) for optimal germination and growth. Planting too early in cold, wet soil can lead to rot and poor sprout development.
In warmer climates, potatoes can also be planted in late summer or early fall for a fall harvest. However, it’s essential to choose varieties that mature quickly enough to be harvested before the first frost. Consult your local agricultural extension office or gardening resources for specific planting recommendations based on your region’s climate and growing season.
How deep and how far apart should I plant the potato pieces?
Plant potato pieces approximately 4 to 6 inches deep, with the cut side facing down and the sprouts facing upwards. Deeper planting helps protect the developing tubers from sunlight, preventing them from turning green and producing solanine, a toxic compound. The ideal depth can also vary slightly depending on soil type, with slightly shallower planting in heavy clay soils.
Space the potato pieces about 10 to 12 inches apart in rows, and the rows should be spaced approximately 30 to 36 inches apart. This spacing allows for adequate air circulation, sunlight penetration, and room for the plants to grow and develop a healthy root system. Adequate spacing also facilitates hilling, a cultivation technique where soil is mounded around the base of the plants to encourage tuber formation.
What does “hilling” potatoes mean, and why is it important?
“Hilling” potatoes refers to the practice of mounding soil around the base of the potato plants as they grow. This is typically done several times during the growing season, starting when the plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall and continuing as they grow taller. Soil is drawn up from between the rows to create a ridge or hill around the plants.
Hilling is important for several reasons. First, it encourages the formation of more tubers along the buried portion of the stem, increasing the overall yield. Second, it protects the developing tubers from sunlight, preventing them from turning green and becoming toxic. Finally, it improves drainage and aeration around the roots, promoting healthy growth and reducing the risk of disease.
How do I know when my potatoes are ready to harvest?
The timing of potato harvest depends on the variety planted and the desired use. “New” potatoes, which are smaller and have thin skins, can be harvested a few weeks after flowering, when the plants are still green. Gently dig around the base of the plant to check the size of the tubers and harvest as needed.
For mature potatoes, wait until the plants have flowered and the foliage begins to die back and turn brown. This typically occurs about 2 to 3 months after planting. Once the foliage has died back completely, carefully dig up the potatoes using a garden fork, being careful not to damage the tubers. Allow the harvested potatoes to dry in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for a few days to cure their skins before storing them.