SFG spacing: 1 per square

Plant potatoes in the spring, 3 weeks before the frost date. Since they are a tuber, potatoes grow from “seed potatoes.” These look like regular potatoes, but they have not been treated to prevent sprouting. They are also less likely to have problems with disease. It’s recommended that you purchase only certified seed potatoes.

Believe it or not, you CAN grow potatoes in a square foot garden. You do need to have at least 10-12 inches of soil to grow potatoes.

First, let the potato seeds sprout. Then, plant the whole potato or cut them up and plant the pieces–just be sure each piece has 2-3 eyes and weighs at least 2 ounces. Set the cut pieces out and allow a crust to form before planting (a couple of hours to one day). Otherwise, they will just rot.

Typically you plant potatoes in the ground and then build up mounds around them.  In a square foot garden you simply take out the soil until there is just enough to cover up the potatoes. As the leaves grow and come out of the soil, cover them up with more until the garden is filled to the top. The tubes formed between the seed potato and the top of the soil will branch out and grow potatoes!

If you’d like, you can fertilize with nitrogen (34-0-0) 6 weeks after planting. Too much fertilizer will lead to lots of leaves but little potatoes.

The potatoes should flower–you can harvest “new potaotes” (small, thin skins) 2-3 weeks after they flower. Or, wait until the plants die. Dig up the “late potaotes” (larger, tough skins) and brush off dirt. Store in a cool, dark, dry place until ready to eat. Don’t wash until just before you cook them.

More Potato Resources:

• Potato Reference Sheet (Utah Extension Service)

Filed under: Veggies