Q&A for How to Plant Potatoes

Around 12 inches apart, depending slightly on what variety you're planting (bigger tubers like Russet will tend to intertwine and choke off potential yield if less than a foot between, whereas fingerling potatoes won't require as much room.) It is a good practice to leave ample space no matter what genus you're investing in.

No, that's OK. There is only one requirement: Make sure every single part of the potato you plant has at least one eye bud (this is where they start to germinate).

Get a support stick, which is available at gardening shops, and tie the stem to the stick for support. Twine is very durable.

You could start making a pile of dirt around the base of the plant to slightly multiply yields and have more moisture.

Yes they can, but only if they have roots growing from them. Some potatoes (especially in the giant bags) have at least one root growing from them, which you can plant and they should grow if they have the right conditions as outlined in this article.

Full size potatoes can be harvested in the fall, when the plants have died down completely, and all foliage turns brown. Baby potatoes can be harvested starting in the spring, as soon as potatoes form.

Potato tubers are potatoes that have been prepped for planting--as opposed to potato seeds or potatoes that are not prepped. Simply put, it's a dried out, chopped up potato.

No, they have no hard coating to soften and the soaking may cause them to spoil.

You can plant potatoes in stages. Every 4 to 6 weeks for 3 sowings if you have a long growing season. If your potato variety has a very short growing time, you could sow up to 4 times, but the last one might end up being just baby potatoes if it is too close to first frost.

Yes, the potato must have germinating buds prior to planting.

Keep them covered in a moist cloth or gunny sack in darkness. The sprouts will appear, then you can cut them into pieces and plant.

You can harvest it when it has flowered or most of the new growth is dying back.

No, they would get stressed in tuber and new growth development, and you'll have smaller yields.

You can plant a sprouted potato with any length sprouts. It can be helpful to start with a longer sprout, as it's akin to planting a seedling in your garden versus seeds, it stands a better chance because it's already established to some extent. However, any length can work provided the soil is nutrient rich and the growing environment is good.

Plant in a sunny spot. Potatoes need high heat & plenty of sunshine. Do not plant in a shady spot.

Mostly aphids, though rats or voles will eat some tubers.

Probably, but I would combine half of that with some fine sand for better drainage; if the coir holds too much water, the potatoes will rot.

It shouldn't matter, as, like all plants, the eyes will grow up to the sunlight.

You don't always need to use fertilizer, though it helps. Of course organic is better. You can chop banana peels and apply them to the soil where your plant grows.

You should be able to just pop them in the ground to sprout!

Yes. A large plastic storage bin (with soil) in a sunny spot, or with grow lights, will work. It may take longer because the sunlight is weaker, but they can be moved outdoors in the spring.

Yes, plant a potato 4 inches deep into a small mound. Cover it loosely.

Yes, the potato will stop growing if the plant dies.

It can be planted both ways. Open the row and just drop the potato pieces in the trench. Next, rake a few inches of soil over the pieces of potato. After the plants are about 6-8 inches tall, sprinkle Treflan along each side of the plant. Sprinkle the herbicide the width of the tiller. Next, till the Treflan in to a depth of about 4 inches. Rake the tilled soil to the potato plants. Leave just a couple of inches sticking above the dirt.

Yes. This is actually ideal. Chitting the potatoes first and allowing the shoots to grow to a tleast 3 inches will produce stronger plants.

Make sure any new potatoes are completely covered by soil, straw, or mulch and are not exposed to sun. This will prevent them from greening.

Generally potatoes grow well through hot summer days, as long as they are kept watered and pest free.

Potatoes can be grown in good bagged garden soil or potting soil. If you use compost be sure it is fully “cooked” or your potatoes will be susceptible to scab, a bacterial disease which requires peeling your potatoes before eating.

If you plant when the daily temp is over 60ºF, then you should see the first shoots within two weeks.

No, keep them and position them carefully in the soil so they don't break off. They will become the new plants.