For centuries potatoes have been a food staple in many countries due both to their nutritional value and their versatility in the kitchen. Growing potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in your own backyard is healthy, inexpensive, and surprisingly easy. Plus, vegetable gardeners swear by the fresh flavor that only a homegrown crop can offer. A large space is unnecessary; a whopping 80 pounds of potatoes can be produced from just 10 square feet of garden space.

Potato pointers

Keep these tips in mind for a hearty potato crop:

• Use only certified disease-free seed potatoes. You can order these or buy them at a local nursery. Don’t use potatoes from the grocery store, as they are not certified disease-free.

• Potatoes like a compost-rich soil that’s well-drained and slightly acidic, as it reduces the chance of scab (a potato tuber disease).

• A soil amendment can be added if desired, but don’t add fresh manure, as it causes scabs. Use a compost or composted manure.

How to plant potatoes

Seed potatoes can be planted whole, or they can be cut into chunks called “sets.” Potato sets need to have two or three eyes on them. Let the sets air out for a day or two so that the cut areas dry out a bit before planting. Sets need to be placed “cut side down” into the ground.

Potatoes should be planted in full sun 3 to 5 inches deep, about 6 to 10 inches apart, in rows that are 3 feet apart. As the plants grow, “hill” (pile) soil, leaves, straw, or compost over them to keep the tubers covered so that they are not exposed to the sun. (When the tubers are exposed to the sun, the potatoes turn green and may develop solanine, a slightly toxic alkaloid.) To encourage tuber growth, leave a little bit of the plant sticking out of the hill.

For an early harvest, plant potatoes in the early spring. You can get a second harvest by planting sets again in mid-May to mid-June, and if you live in a mild climate, a third planting can be done in the fall for a spring harvest.

Proven potato cultivars

• ‘Gold Rush’ is a great baking potato.
• ‘Norgold’s Russet’ is good for baking.
• ‘Red LaSoda’ is good for warm climates.
• ‘Kennebec’ is flavorful and stores well.
• ‘Yellow Finn’ has a buttery taste and is great for baking.
• ‘Yukon Gold’ is large and flavorful.
• ‘Red Sun’ is smooth and full of flavor.

Harvesting potatoes

When potato plants begin to blossom, stop hilling the soil over the tubers. You can add some mulch to help retain moisture and keep the crop watered. For the best flavor, harvest the potatoes when they’re young (while the plants are flowering).

When the tops of the plants die, mature potatoes are ready to harvest. If you leave the mature ones underground for a couple of weeks, their skins will “set” and they’ll store longer. This is one harvest that’s best left to the kids in your home or neighborhood; they will have a blast searching for the “buried treasure.”

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Gardzen 3-Pack 72 Gallons Garden Bag

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space. Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.

Buy at Amazon

Fort Vee - Organic Potting Soil Mix

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

PRODUCT DETAILS: Vermont Compost Company Fort Vee Organic Potting Mix A rich, organic, compost-based potting soil that is ideal for growing your veggies, Plants, and herbs free from any harmful chemicals. Our all natural mixed organic garden soil is composed of all-natural ingredients our Plants needed to grow naturally and is a great choice for gardeners who prefer compost-based germination and growing medium. Product Weight: 20 Quarts

Buy at Amazon

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil, 32 oz Ready-to-Use Spray, Multi-Purpose Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide for Organic Gardening

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTI-PURPOSE BUG KILLER—Bonide Neem Oil is a perfect pest control solution for any garden dealing with mites, flies, mildew, and more. This product is a three-in-one fungicide, miticide, and insecticide. READY TO USE—This product is conveniently ready to use when it arrives. The spray nozzle makes this product easy to deploy and can even be used up to the day of harvest. KILLS ALL STAGES OF INSECTS—Bonide's 3-in-1 Neem Oil is great because it kills the egg, larvae, and adult stages of insects while also preventing the fungal attack of plant tissues. DORMANT SPRAY—In addition to being useful for ridding your garden of insects and other pests, this Neem oil makes a great dormant spray to help protect your plants throughout all seasons. ORGANIC GARDENING—Derived from the Neem seed, our product is great for use on roses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs, indoor houseplants, trees and shrubs. It's approved for organic gardening.

Buy at Amazon