What Are Sprouting Potatoes?
Yes, you absolutely can plant sprouting potatoes, provided they are healthy and haven't gone soft or developed rot. Potatoes that have begun to develop shoots, often called 'eyes', are essentially indicating their readiness to grow. This natural process, known as chitting, is a sign they are viable for planting. Rather than discarding them, these 'sprouted' potatoes are excellent candidates for becoming new potato plants, making them a resourceful choice for gardeners.
- Sprouting potatoes are viable for planting if healthy.
- Shoots indicate the potato's readiness to grow.
- Planting them is a resourceful gardening practice.
- Avoid planting potatoes that are soft or rotten.
When potatoes are stored for a period, especially in warmer or lighter conditions, they naturally begin to sprout. These sprouts are the beginnings of new stems and leaves, drawing energy from the potato itself. While many people might consider such potatoes past their prime for eating, they represent a fantastic opportunity for propagation. The key is to distinguish between healthy sprouting and signs of decay that would render the potato unsuitable for growing.
Identifying Healthy Sprouts
The first step in deciding whether to plant is to assess the condition of the potato and its sprouts. Healthy sprouts are typically firm, green, or sometimes purple, depending on the potato variety. They should be sturdy and well-attached. If a potato has numerous small, weak sprouts that look spindly and pale, it might suggest it has been stored for too long or in poor conditions, but it can still be planted. The critical factor is the potato flesh itself. It should feel firm, not mushy, and show no signs of mould or discolouration that indicates rot. A slightly shrivelled potato is usually fine; a slimy or mouldy one is not.
Why Plant Sprouting Potatoes?
Planting sprouting potatoes is a practical and economical approach to growing your own produce. It allows you to make use of potatoes that might otherwise be wasted, saving you the cost of buying dedicated seed potatoes. Seed potatoes are specifically bred and certified to be disease-free and optimal for planting, but home-sprouted potatoes can yield a very respectable crop if handled correctly. It’s an excellent way for beginners to start gardening, using readily available materials. Furthermore, it gives you a head start on the growing season, as the sprouting process means the plant is already primed to grow vigorously once planted in the soil.
Preparing Your Sprouted Potatoes for Planting
Before you can plant your sprouting potatoes, a little preparation ensures the best chance of success. This involves deciding whether to plant the potato whole or to cut it into pieces, and how to handle any existing sprouts.
To Cut or Not to Cut?
Whether you cut a potato depends on its size and the number of sprouts. If you have a large potato with multiple healthy sprouts distributed around it, cutting it into pieces can yield more plants. Each piece should be at least the size of a hen's egg and have at least one or two good 'eyes' or sprouts. If the potato is small, or if the sprouts are concentrated in one area, it is often best to plant it whole. Cutting potatoes can expose them to diseases, so it's crucial to ensure your knife is clean and that the cut pieces have a chance to 'cure' or dry out for a day or two before planting. This allows a protective callus to form over the cut surface, reducing the risk of rot.
Chitting Your Potatoes (Optional but Recommended)
While your potatoes are already sprouting, you can enhance their growth by deliberately chitting them. This process involves placing the seed potatoes in a light, cool (around 10-15°C), frost-free place for several weeks before planting. A good method is to place them in an empty egg box, sprout-side up. This encourages the development of short, thick, sturdy green sprouts, which are ideal for planting. If your potatoes have already sprouted significantly before you get them, you can still place them in an egg box to orient the sprouts upwards, but focus on ensuring the potato itself is firm and healthy. The goal is to have robust sprouts ready to push into the soil.
Ensure your cutting knife is sterilised by wiping it with rubbing alcohol or boiling it briefly before and between cuts to prevent disease transmission between potato pieces.
Assessing the Sprouts
Look closely at the sprouts. While any sprout is a sign of life, the strongest ones will be those that are short, thick, and a healthy green or purple colour. Very long, thin, white, or yellow sprouts may have grown in darkness and are weaker; these can still be planted, but they might take longer to establish. If a potato has rot, discard it immediately to prevent contamination of other potatoes or your soil.
Planting and Growing Your Sprouted Potatoes
Once your sprouted potatoes are prepared, the next step is to get them into the ground or a suitable container. The timing and method of planting are crucial for a successful crop.
When to Plant Potatoes
The ideal time to plant potatoes varies by region, but generally, it’s when the last frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm up. In many parts of the UK, this is typically from late March through to May. Planting too early in cold, wet soil can lead to the seed potatoes rotting before they have a chance to sprout and grow. You can check local weather patterns and soil temperatures; a soil temperature of around 7-10°C is ideal. If you are growing potatoes in pots or growing bags for potatoes, you might be able to start them a little earlier indoors or in a sheltered spot.
Planting Methods: In the Ground
For planting directly into the garden soil, dig trenches about 10-15 cm deep. Space them about 30-45 cm apart. Place the prepared potato pieces or whole potatoes into the trench, sprout-side up, about 30 cm apart. Cover them gently with about 5-7 cm of soil. As the potato plants grow taller, you will need to 'earth up' by drawing soil from between the rows around the base of the stems. This encourages more tubers to form and protects them from sunlight, which can turn them green and inedible. Aim to earth up the plants when they are about 15-20 cm tall, and again a few weeks later.
Planting Methods: In Pots or Bags
Growing potatoes in pots or growing bags for potatoes is an excellent option for smaller gardens or patios. Start by placing a layer of compost (about 15-20 cm) at the bottom of your container. Place 2-3 prepared seed potatoes on top of this compost layer, spaced out, sprout-side up. Cover them with another 10-15 cm of compost. As the green shoots emerge and grow, continue to add more compost to the container, keeping the developing tubers covered. This process of adding compost as the plant grows is essentially 'earthing up' in a contained space. Ensure your container has good drainage.
Caring for Your Potato Plants
Potato plants need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and tuber formation. Water them regularly, particularly in dry spells, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Keep the area around your potato plants free from weeds, as they compete for nutrients and water. You can apply a balanced liquid feed every few weeks once the plants start flowering, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can promote leaf growth at the expense of tubers.
The true reward of planting sprouting potatoes lies not just in the harvest, but in the resourcefulness shown by giving a second life to a familiar vegetable.
When to Harvest
New potatoes can usually be harvested about 7-10 weeks after planting, typically from June onwards, depending on the variety and planting time. You can gently probe the soil near the plant base to check for developing tubers. For larger, mature potatoes, wait until the foliage begins to yellow and die back, which usually indicates that the tubers have reached full size. This typically happens 2-3 weeks after the plant has finished flowering. Carefully dig them up, avoiding damage to the tubers.
Troubleshooting and Alternatives
Even with the best preparation, sometimes potato plants don't thrive. Understanding common issues and alternatives can help you manage your crop effectively.
Common Problems and Solutions
Soft or Rotting Potatoes: If your planted potato pieces or whole potatoes turn soft or rot in the ground, it's usually due to cold, wet soil conditions or disease. Ensure you are planting in well-drained soil, avoid planting too early in the season when the ground is cold, and only use healthy, firm potatoes. If you cut potatoes, make sure to let them cure properly.
Lack of Sprouts/Growth: If your plants fail to establish or grow very slowly, it could be due to poor quality seed potatoes, planting too early in very cold soil, or insufficient sunlight. Ensure your planting location receives adequate sun (at least 6 hours a day).
Pests and Diseases: Potatoes can be susceptible to blight, slugs, and aphids. Keep an eye out for discoloured leaves (blight), holes in foliage or tubers (slugs), or small green insects on the leaves and stems (aphids). Good air circulation, proper watering, and prompt removal of affected plant parts can help manage these issues. For severe infestations, specific organic or chemical controls may be necessary, but always follow product instructions carefully.
When Not to Plant Sprouting Potatoes
Do not plant potatoes that show definite signs of rot, mould, or are excessively soft and mushy. These are beyond saving and could introduce diseases into your garden. Also, if the sprouts are extremely thin, pale, and leggy, indicating they have grown in complete darkness for an extended period, they may be less vigorous, but they can still be planted. The primary indicator of unsuitability is decay.
Alternatives to Planting Sprouted Potatoes
If you have sprouting potatoes but are hesitant to plant them, or if they are not in ideal condition, you have other options. The most straightforward is to simply use them for cooking. If they have developed small sprouts, you can cut them off before cooking, provided the rest of the potato is firm and free from rot. Alternatively, you can purchase certified seed potatoes. These are specifically grown for planting, are disease-tested, and come in a wide variety of types suited for different growing conditions and culinary uses. While this incurs a cost, it often guarantees a more predictable and robust yield, especially if your home-sprouted potatoes are not in peak condition.
Start a compost bin: Any potatoes that are too far gone to plant or eat, or the peelings and ends from preparing them, can be added to a well-managed compost bin to create nutrient-rich material for future gardening.
The Role of Soil and Location
The success of your potato crop, whether from sprouted potatoes or seed potatoes, heavily depends on the soil and location. Potatoes prefer well-drained, loose, slightly acidic soil. Heavy clay soils can cause tubers to rot and make harvesting difficult. Amending your soil with compost and well-rotted manure before planting will improve drainage and fertility. Planting in a location that receives full sun is also vital for robust growth and a good yield. Rotating your crops annually, avoiding planting potatoes in the same spot year after year, helps prevent the build-up of soil-borne diseases.