How to Plant and Harvest Potatoes in Your Backyard

Planting potatoes in your backyard offers numerous benefits, from growing rare and expensive varieties to enjoying a year-round harvest in the right climate. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing potatoes is both rewarding and straightforward.

Why Grow Your Own Potatoes?

Growing your own potatoes allows you to cultivate varieties that are hard to find or expensive at the store. You also have control over the planting and harvesting schedule, which means you can enjoy fresh potatoes almost any time of year, especially if you live in mild climates.

Start with Certified Seed Potatoes

Always use certified seed potatoes rather than grocery store potatoes. Grocery store potatoes may not be disease-free and are often treated to prevent sprouting. Seed potatoes come with “eyes,” which are the sprouts that grow into plants.

• Preparation: Cut large potatoes into chunks, ensuring each piece has one to two eyes. Leave small potatoes, like fingerlings, whole.
• Callusing: Lay the pieces in a well-ventilated area for a few days until they develop a callus to prevent rot during planting.

When and How to Plant

• Timing: Plant potatoes about four weeks before the last frost, once the soil reaches at least 40°F. For fall planting, protect them with a thick mulch after the first frost.
• Soil: Potatoes thrive in sandy loam soil with a low pH. Amend the soil with compost and an acidic fertilizer.

Planting in Pots or Garden Beds

• In Pots: Use Smart Pots or similar containers. Each potato requires about three gallons of soil, so a 15-gallon pot can hold five potatoes. Fill the pot one-third with a mix of compost and potting soil.
• In Garden Beds: Dig an 8-inch trench and plant potatoes 8–9 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart. Cover with 4 inches of soil and mulch heavily to retain moisture and protect from frost.

Caring for Your Potatoes

• Hilling: As plants grow to 4–6 inches tall, add more soil or mulch around the stems to prevent sunlight from reaching the tubers. This avoids green potatoes, which contain toxic solanine.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot.

Harvesting and Storing Potatoes

• Early Harvest: You can harvest potatoes anytime after the plants flower, but they are best used fresh.
• For Storage: Allow the vines to die back naturally or cut them down after frost. Leave the bed unwatered for two weeks to let the skins harden. Use your hands to gently dig out the potatoes, avoiding sharp tools.
• Curing: Let the potatoes dry in a cool, dark place for a couple of days before storing them for the winter.

Expand Your Potato Varieties

Potatoes originated in South America, where over 8,000 varieties exist. Experiment with different types to expand your culinary options beyond the common Idaho Russet.

With these tips, you’ll enjoy fresh, flavorful potatoes from your backyard while connecting with an ancient crop that has nourished civilizations for centuries. Grow organic for life!

In this video, Tricia shares her tips for planting and growing potatoes.