You can definitely grow potatoes from store-bought potatoes. In fact, it’s a great way to get started if you’re new to gardening or if you simply want to try your hand at growing your own food.
To begin, you’ll need a 5-gallon bucket or any other large container that has adequate drainage holes at the base. Make sure the container is clean and free of any debris before filling it with potting soil. Potatoes need well-draining soil to prevent them from rotting, so it’s important to choose a good quality potting mix.
Once you have your container ready, find a location that receives full sun. Potatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow and produce a good harvest. Place your container in this sunny spot, and you’re ready to start planting.
Next, you’ll want to select the right number of potatoes for the size of your container. Each potato plant needs about 2.5 gallons of space to grow into. If you’re using a 5-gallon bucket, you can plant 2-3 seed potatoes. Seed potatoes are the small potatoes that you’ll find at the grocery store, specifically grown for planting.
Before planting, it’s a good idea to let your seed potatoes sit in a cool, dry place for a week or two. This helps to “harden” them, which means they develop a protective layer that helps them resist disease and rot. Once they’re ready, you can proceed with planting.
To plant the potatoes, simply fill your container with enough potting soil to cover the bottom, about 4-6 inches. Place the seed potatoes on top of the soil, spacing them evenly. Then, cover the potatoes with another 4-6 inches of soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the container.
As the potatoes grow, you’ll need to keep an eye on them and make sure they’re well-watered. Potatoes like consistent moisture, but they don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil. So, water them whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, but be careful not to overwater.
In terms of care, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for any pests or diseases that may affect your potato plants. Common pests include aphids, potato beetles, and slugs. Regularly inspect your plants and take appropriate measures if you notice any signs of infestation.
As the potato plants grow, you’ll start to see green shoots emerge from the soil. This is a good sign that your potatoes are growing! As the plants continue to grow, you can add more soil to the container if needed, to ensure that the developing potatoes are covered and protected.
After about 10-12 weeks, your potato plants should be ready for harvest. You can check if the potatoes are ready by gently digging around the base of the plants and feeling for the size of the potatoes. Once they’ve reached a suitable size, you can harvest them by carefully digging them out of the soil.
Growing potatoes from store-bought potatoes can be a rewarding and fun experience. Not only do you get to enjoy the process of watching your plants grow, but you also get to enjoy the delicious taste of homegrown potatoes. So, go ahead and give it a try! Happy gardening!
