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How & When to Plant Potatoes: 3 Simples Steps
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
With the rising interest in plants and growing your own little backyard farm, there is so much knowledge to soak in. There are so many needs when it comes to plants and they’re all very specific. How much light it needs, which direction it should face, how much to water it, if it needs fertilizer and more. This article will cover how and when it is best to plant potatoes.
When to Plant Potatoes
The best time to plant potatoes is in early spring, in warmer areas. Regardless of where you live, you’ll want to plant them about 2-3 weeks before the last frost.
Before You Start
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You can plant potatoes from old ones you might have sitting in the back of your produce drawer. You might notice that they have little sprouts already starting to grow. You can also head to your local grocery store or browse online for seed potatoes. You will need soil, a container, and a good space.
The 3 Steps on How to Plant Potatoes
1. Prepare the Potatoes
If you’re using old potatoes, cut them into 1 to 2-inch squares and make sure they have bud sprouts. Make sure they’re 12 to 18 inches apart and 4 inches deep. Plant them with the buds facing up out of the soil. If you’re planting seeds, plant them individually in the soil.
2. Care for the Plants
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Consistently water your potato plants once or twice per week but avoid making them too soggy. Avoid the leaves when watering. When they reach 6-8 inches tall, cover part of the stems halfway up the plant to ensure they don’t turn green (these are toxic!). You can feed your potato plant with fertilizer about 20 days after planting.
3. Harvest the Plants
Harvest potato plants after they start flowering (these are white and purple petals with yellow centers). Pull tubers out from under the growing plant. You can do this until the plant has died off. Store potatoes in a dark, cool spot and let it be for a couple weeks until ready to eat.
Final Thoughts
Potatoes are not that difficult to grow, and you can even grow them from old potatoes that have sprouted instead of buying seeds. You’ll want to make sure to water them regularly and fertilize them for best results. After harvesting, make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark spot until you’re ready to eat them.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.