Potatoes were my very first vegetable that made me believe we could really do this. And by "this", I mean garden on a large scale. I had never known anyone in my life that grew potatoes. They were something that real farmers grew, and people bought at the supermarket. So, my first year of gardening on a large scale, I was pleasantly surprised to learn how easy and rewarding growing your own potatoes can be! While I struggled that first year with what are supposed to be the "normal" plants, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, my potatoes thrived in our sandy Long Island soil. It is only after the fact that I learned Long Island used to be largely potato farms.
I urge everyone to grow their own potatoes. They simply taste different than store bought. They are buttery and sweet and melt in your mouth delicious! Even if you have clay-like soil or not enough room, there are plenty of videos out there on how to grow potatoes in containers such as trashcans, compost bins, etc.
I urge everyone to grow their own potatoes. They simply taste different than store bought. They are buttery and sweet and melt in your mouth delicious! Even if you have clay-like soil or not enough room, there are plenty of videos out there on how to grow potatoes in containers such as trashcans, compost bins, etc.
STEPS TO GROWING POTATOES
Still want to know more about growing your own potatoes? Watch my video that takes you through each step of the process!
- Order seed potatoes. Not all potatoes are of the quality you would want to plant as a seed potato. In order to ensure potatoes that are not diseased, resist the urge to plant supermarket potatoes and order seed potatoes from a catalogue such as here or here. You may also be able to get them at a local garden center.
- Cut seed potatoes. Cut into 1-2 inch chunks with at least 1 large eye on them. Allow the cut pieces to rest for a couple days to scab up before planting. This lessens the possibility of rot.
- Dig Trench. Trench should be a minimum of 1 foot deep, but 2 is better. Clear any roots or rocks from the area.
- Plant Seed Potatoes. Plant potato pieces with the largest eye facing up and cut side down. Each plant should be spaced about a foot to a foot and a half apart. Cover with about 3 inches of soil.
- Cover Tops as the appear through the soil. As the plant grows, it will pop out of the soil it was covered with. Cover with an additional 3 inches of soil each time the tops appear until it is above ground level. You may also mound the soil above ground if you have the space for extra growing area.
- Allow to flower. Potatoes make cute purple flowers. Allow the flowers to thrive and die on the vine.
- Allow to die. Let the entire plant die. This does not mean to stop watering! It will naturally fall over and brown on its own at the end of its life cycle. Treat like any other plant until harvest day.
- Dig up potatoes. Dig up potatoes on a dry day. Be prepared to get DIRTY, because there is no way to do this task gracefully. Use a garden shovel to loosen soil and then dig in there with your hands. Be careful not to split the potatoes with the shovel as you dig.
- Cure Potatoes: Allow potatoes to cure for 1-2 weeks for long term storage, or eat them immediately. Make sure to cure potatoes in a dry, shady and cool place. Spread potatoes apart to allow air circulation. Do not wash potatoes until you are ready to eat!
Still want to know more about growing your own potatoes? Watch my video that takes you through each step of the process!