Ever opened a bag of organic potatoes and found them sprouting little “eyes”? Don’t toss them—celebrate them! Those sprouts are your golden ticket to homegrown, delicious potatoes. Yes, that’s right: you can grow your own potatoes, and it’s way easier (and more fun) than you think.

Potatoes practically want to grow. If they’re organic and not treated to prevent sprouting, they’ll do what nature intended! And lucky for you, now is the perfect time to get planting in our area.

Why Potatoes are a Gardener’s Best Friend

They’re forgiving.
They grow in tight spaces.
They don’t mind a container.
They’re FUN to harvest.

Whether you’ve got fabric grow bags, buckets, a spare pot, or even a clean trash can with drainage holes—your potatoes will be happy as long as they have space, sun, and some good soil. Rule of thumb: one plant per 2.5 gallons, so a 10-gallon container can grow about four plants. Containers that are 2–3 feet deep are ideal, but don’t stress. Potatoes aren’t picky.

The Potato Planting 101

You’ll need some sprouted, organic potatoes. Here’s what to do:

Cut or don’t cut: You can plant small ones whole or cut large ones into chunks, making sure each chunk has at least one “eye.”
Let them cure: Let those cut pieces air-dry for 1–2 days. This helps them heal and prevents rot.
Fill ‘er up (a little): Start by filling your container about one-third with light, fluffy potting mix. Avoid heavy soils.

Plant the pieces: Place them cut-side down, “eyes” up. Cover with 2 inches of soil and give them a good drink.

Potato Rules to Live By

Light, airy soil is key—think compost, potting mix, or a mix of both.
Organic matter helps feed these hungry little tuber-makers.
Drainage is non-negotiable. If your container can’t drain, your potatoes may rot.

Sunshine helps. Aim for 6 hours of sun per day—but if you’ve only got dappled light, that’ll do just fine.

Hilling: Not Just for Hills

As your plants grow, you’ll want to “hill” them—aka, bury part of the stems with more soil. This protects the new potatoes from sunlight (which can make them turn green and toxic!) and encourages more to grow.

When your plant hits about 6 inches tall, add more soil around the base, covering about a third of the plant. Keep doing this every few weeks until the soil is near the top of the container. Potatoes grow fast, so keep an eye on them!

Water & Food: The Tater Buffet

Keep the soil moist, not soggy. Stick your finger about 2 inches in—if it’s dry, water.
Feed every few weeks with a diluted liquid organic fertilizer (fish emulsion, kelp, or compost tea work great).

Harvest Time: The Potato Treasure Hunt

After a few months (usually 3–4), you’ll see flowers—this means the party’s almost ready. You can:

Sneak a few early potatoes by gently digging around and grabbing the big ones (baby “new” potatoes are a treat!).
Or wait until the plant starts to yellow and die back, then dump the whole container onto a tarp for a full-on potato bonanza. It’s messy, satisfying, and borderline magical.

Wash them up, let them dry—and you’re ready to enjoy the fruits (okay, tubers) of your labor.

*Golden Potatoes getting ready for boxing*

One Final Note: Don’t eat the green parts of the potato plant. They’re not edible. Stick to the tubers!

Growing your own potatoes is not only practical—it’s deeply satisfying. There’s something delightful about digging into the soil and pulling out a potato you grew yourself. So grab those sprouted spuds and start your own little potato farm—no field required!

Potato Party: Grow Your Own Spuds at Home!