You can definitely plant grocery store potatoes! In fact, it’s a great way to grow your own potatoes without having to wait for certified seed potatoes to be delivered. Plus, store-bought potatoes are readily available and easily accessible.
When you buy potatoes from a grocery store, you may occasionally find that some of them have started to sprout. Instead of discarding these sprouting potatoes, you can use them to grow your own potato plants. This can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you’re new to gardening or want to try your hand at growing your own food.
To get started, you’ll need a few sprouting potatoes, some well-draining soil, and a container or garden bed to plant them in. The sprouts, also known as “eyes,” will develop into the foliage of the potato plant, while the tubers will grow beneath the soil.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to plant grocery store potatoes:
1. Select your potatoes: Look for potatoes that have sprouted eyes. These eyes are small protrusions on the surface of the potato, and they indicate that the potato is ready to grow.
2. Prepare your soil: Potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil. If planting in a container, ensure it has proper drainage holes. If planting in a garden bed, loosen the soil and remove any rocks or debris that may hinder root growth.
3. Cut the potatoes: If your sprouting potatoes are large, you can cut them into smaller pieces, making sure each piece has at least one sprout. Allow the cut surfaces to dry for a day or two before planting. This helps prevent rotting.
4. Plant the potatoes: Dig a hole or trench in the soil, about 4-6 inches deep. Place the potato pieces or whole potatoes (with sprouts facing upwards) into the hole, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Cover the potatoes with soil, leaving a small mound above the surface to allow for proper growth.
5. Water and care: After planting, water the potatoes thoroughly to settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season. As the potato plants grow, you may need to mound soil or mulch around the base to protect the tubers from exposure to sunlight, which can cause them to turn green and become toxic.
6. Harvesting: In about 2-4 months, depending on the variety, your potato plants will be ready for harvest. Wait until the foliage turns yellow and begins to die back before digging up the potatoes. Gently dig around the base of the plant and unearth the tubers. Avoid damaging them with your tools or rough handling.
It’s important to note that not all grocery store potatoes are suitable for planting. Some potatoes are treated with growth inhibitors or have been stored in conditions that may affect their ability to sprout and grow. Organic or locally sourced potatoes are generally a safer bet since they are less likely to have undergone treatments that inhibit growth.
Planting grocery store potatoes is a convenient and accessible way to grow your own potatoes. It’s a great option if you don’t have access to certified seed potatoes or simply want to experiment with growing your own food. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at the delicious harvest you can achieve!