Can You Grow Store Bought Potatoes?

Many people love potatoes and consume them regularly. But have you ever wondered if it's possible to grow your own potatoes from the store-bought ones? The answer is yes, it's possible! Growing your own potatoes can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, not to mention that homegrown potatoes taste better than the ones bought from stores. In this article, we will discuss how to grow store-bought potatoes, so let's dive in!

Choosing the Right Potatoes

The first step to growing store-bought potatoes is to choose the right ones. Select organic potatoes as they are free from chemicals and pesticides, making them safer to grow. Ensure the potatoes are firm and free from any signs of rot, disease or insect damage. Choose potatoes with sprouts as these are signs that the potato is ready to plant. However, avoid potatoes with green skin as they contain solanine, which is toxic.

Potatoes that are healthy for consumption.

Preparing the Potatoes for Planting

After selecting the potatoes, it's time to prepare them for planting. Start by cutting the potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one sprout. Let the cut potatoes sit in a cool, dry place for a few days to allow the cut surface to callous over. This helps prevent rot when the potato is planted in the soil.

Potatoes cut into pieces that are ready for planting.

Planting the Potatoes

Choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun exposure for planting the potatoes. Dig a trench about 4 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Place the potato pieces, sprout side up, about 12 inches apart in the trench. Cover the potatoes with soil and water them well. As the potato plants grow, add more soil around the stems until the trench is filled. This prevents the tubers from turning green and becoming inedible.

Potato plants growing in a garden bed.

Caring for the Potato Plants

Water the potato plants regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize the plants every two weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer to ensure good growth. When the potato plants flower, it's a sign that the potatoes are growing underground. Stop watering the plants and wait for the foliage to die back before harvesting the potatoes.

A bountiful harvest of potatoes ready for consumption.

Growing store-bought potatoes is easy and rewarding. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes that are chemical-free and taste amazing. So why not give it a try and start growing your own potatoes today!

Potato, Gardening, Homegrown, Planting, Harvest, Organic, Soil, Fertilizer