How to plant potato eyes

FAQs → How to plant potato eyes

Ah, the humble spud! Planting potato eyes is a simple yet crucial step in growing your own delicious potatoes. Here's how to do it like a pro:

Step 1: Choose Your Spuds

Select healthy, disease-free potato tubers with at least one "eye" (the small white bump on the potato). You can use store-bought seed potatoes or harvest your own from last year's crop.

Step 2: Cut and Prepare

Cut the potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one eye. Leave about 1-2 inches of "stem" intact to serve as a natural anchor for the new plant. Remove any sprouts or green parts growing from the eyes.

Step 3: Chit the Tubers (Optional but Recommended)

If planting in early spring, consider chitting your potatoes. Chitting involves allowing the cut pieces to sprout for a few weeks before planting. This can give the plants a head start and lead to stronger growth.

Step 4: Plant the Eyes

Plant the potato eyes 2-4 inches deep, with the eye facing upwards. Space them 12-18 inches apart for proper growth and air circulation. Leave about 3 feet between rows if planting multiple rows.

Step 5: Cover and Water

Cover the planted eyes with a thin layer of soil or compost. Water well to settle the soil and provide the moisture needed to get your potatoes growing.

With proper care, new potato plants should emerge in 2-3 weeks. Remember not to plant multiple generations of potatoes from the same seed stock to avoid the risk of disease transmission.