Potato

Solanum tuberosum · Vegetable

A staple crop that is surprisingly easy in a home garden, even in large bags or containers. You plant pieces of tuber, pile soil around the stems as they grow, and dig up new potatoes underneath. Freshly dug potatoes have a flavor stored ones rarely match.

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun, 6–8 hours

Water

1–2 in per week, steady once tubers form

Soil

Loose, well-drained, slightly acidic, pH 5.0–6.5

Temperature

Best 60–70 °F; frost kills the leaves

Spacing

12 in in the row, 30–36 in between rows

Container

At least 10 gallons, 16 in deep, for 2–3 seed potatoes

Harvest

New potatoes 60–80 days, main crop 90–120 days (estimated)

Lifespan

Annual crop

When?

Plant 2–4 weeks before your last frost, once the soil is workable and around 45 °F or warmer. Cover shoots if a hard frost comes after they emerge (estimated).

Step by step

1. Use certified seed potatoes; cut large ones into pieces with 2–3 eyes and let them dry a day.
2. Plant pieces 4 in deep, eyes up, in loose soil.
3. When shoots reach 6–8 in, pull soil up around the stems, leaving the top few leaves exposed.
4. Repeat hilling every couple of weeks; tubers exposed to light turn green.
5. Water evenly, especially after flowering, when tubers swell.
6. Dig new potatoes once plants flower; for storage, wait until the tops die back.
7. Let harvested potatoes dry in a dark, cool place for a week before storing.

Common problems

Pets

Leaves, stems, sprouts and green or raw potatoes are harmful to cats and dogs. Keep pets out of the potato patch; if in doubt, ask your vet.

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