Potatoes are one of the most versatile and rewarding crops to grow in a home garden. Whether you have a large backyard or a small container garden, learning how to grow potatoes ensures a fresh and tasty supply of this kitchen staple.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing potatoes, from choosing the right variety to harvesting and storing your crop.
Why Grow Potatoes at Home?
Growing your own potatoes comes with several benefits:
- Better Taste: Homegrown potatoes are fresher and more flavorful than store-bought ones.
- Chemical-Free: You control the growing process, ensuring organic, pesticide-free potatoes.
- High Yield: A small space can produce a large harvest.
- Cost-Effective: One seed potato can produce multiple tubers, saving you money.
Now, let’s dive into how to grow potatoes successfully!
Step 1: Choosing the Right Potato Variety
Before learning how to grow potatoes, it’s essential to pick the right type for your climate and cooking needs.
Types of Potatoes
- Early Potatoes (First Earlies)
- Harvested in 60–90 days.
- Best for salads and boiling.
- Examples: Red Norland, Yukon Gold.
- Mid-Season Potatoes (Second Earlies)
- Harvested in 90–110 days.
- Great for mashing and roasting.
- Examples: Kennebec, Purple Majesty.
- Late-Season Potatoes (Maincrop)
- Harvested in 110–135 days.
- Store well for long-term use.
- Examples: Russet Burbank, German Butterball.
Choose early varieties if you want a quick harvest or late varieties for long-term storage.
Step 2: Preparing Seed Potatoes
Instead of planting regular potatoes from the store, use certified seed potatoes to prevent disease.
How to Prepare Seed Potatoes
- Cut Large Potatoes – If the seed potatoes are bigger than a golf ball, cut them into chunks with at least one or two “eyes” (buds) each.
- Cure the Cuts – Let the cut pieces dry for 24–48 hours in a cool, dry place to prevent rotting.
- Chitting (Optional for Early Potatoes) – Place the potatoes in a bright, cool spot for 2–3 weeks to encourage sprouting before planting.
Step 3: When and Where to Plant Potatoes
Best Time to Plant Potatoes
- Cold Climates (Zones 3–6): Plant in early spring (March–April) when the soil reaches 45°F (7°C).
- Warm Climates (Zones 7–10): Plant in late winter or early spring (January–February) and again in late summer for a fall crop.
Best Location for Growing Potatoes
- Full Sun: Potatoes need 6–8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Loose, Well-Draining Soil: Avoid compacted or heavy clay soils.
- pH 5.0–6.5: Slightly acidic soil helps prevent scab disease.
Step 4: How to Plant Potatoes
Planting in Rows (Traditional Method)
- Dig Trenches: Make trenches 4–6 inches deep and 12–15 inches apart.
- Place Seed Potatoes: Space them 12 inches apart, with the sprout side up.
- Cover with Soil: Lightly cover with 2–3 inches of soil.
Planting in Containers (For Small Spaces)
- Use a large container (at least 10 gallons) with drainage holes.
- Fill with 4–6 inches of soil, plant potatoes, and cover with soil.
- As plants grow, keep adding soil (hilling method).
Planting in Grow Bags or Raised Beds
- Ideal for poor soil conditions.
- Fill bags or beds with loose, fertile soil and follow the same planting method.
Step 5: Caring for Potato Plants
1. Hilling Potatoes (Important for Bigger Yields!)
- When plants reach 6–8 inches tall, mound soil or mulch around the base to cover the lower stems.
- Repeat every 2–3 weeks to prevent tubers from being exposed to sunlight (which turns them green and toxic).
2. Watering
- Potatoes need 1–2 inches of water per week.
- Keep soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
3. Fertilizing
- Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 NPK) when planting.
- Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once plants start growing.
- Reduce nitrogen once tubers start forming to encourage bigger potatoes.
4. Pest and Disease Management
- Common Pests: Colorado potato beetles, aphids, wireworms. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Common Diseases: Late blight, scab, and blackleg. Avoid overhead watering and rotate crops yearly.
Step 6: When and How to Harvest Potatoes
When to Harvest
- Early Potatoes: Harvest 60–90 days after planting (when flowers bloom).
- Maincrop Potatoes: Harvest when the plant’s foliage turns yellow and dies back (110–135 days).
How to Harvest Potatoes
- Use a Garden Fork – Gently loosen the soil around the plant.
- Dig Carefully – Avoid stabbing the tubers.
- Brush Off Dirt – Do not wash immediately to prevent moisture-related diseases.
Step 7: Curing and Storing Potatoes
1. Curing Potatoes for Long-Term Storage
- Leave freshly harvested potatoes in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated place for 1–2 weeks.
- This hardens the skins for better storage.
2. Storing Potatoes
- Store in a cool, dark place (40–50°F or 4–10°C).
- Do not refrigerate – cold temperatures turn starch into sugar, affecting flavor.
- Keep them in a paper bag, burlap sack, or wooden crate to allow airflow.
How Long Do Potatoes Last?
- Early potatoes: Best eaten fresh, lasting 2–3 months.
- Maincrop potatoes: Can last 4–6 months with proper storage.
Step 8: Saving Seed Potatoes for Next Season
- Select the healthiest, disease-free potatoes from your harvest.
- Store them in a cool, dry place over winter.
- Replant in the next growing season for a continuous supply.
Final Thoughts on How to Grow Potatoes
Learning how to grow potatoes is simple and rewarding, whether in the ground, containers, or raised beds. With the right care, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown potatoes.
Are you ready to start growing your own potatoes? Let us know your favorite potato variety in the comments below!
