Grow Delicious Spuds From Potato Seeds
If you have your own garden, you know how great it is to plant your own produce. A small handful of potato seeds can grow into pounds of potatoes for boiling, mashing, roasting, stewing, and more. Here's what you need to know about picking the right seeds and starting your garden.
When do you plant potatoes?Potatoes are a cool-weather vegetable that you can plant as soon as soil reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In most places, this is in early spring. You can also start the seeds inside and transfer them to the garden in early spring if you want a head start on potato planting.
What are some features of popular potato variants?When planting potato seeds, you can pick your option based on what sort of potato you want to eat. Common choices include:
- Russet: This is one of the most classic variants. Its brown skin, long shape, and starchy interior work well for french fries and baked or mashed potatoes.
- Yukon Gold: This golden-colored potato is ideal for mashing, boiling, and using in many traditional potato recipes.
- Red Bliss: This is the variant most people think of when picturing red potatoes. The thin, red skin doesn't have to be removed before you turn these waxy potatoes into salads or roasted cubes.
- Purple Majesty: As the name implies, these unique potatoes are royal purple, making them a popular choice in seed mixes for multicolored potatoes.
Non-GMO means that the genome of your potato seeds has not been altered artificially in a lab. An heirloom is a variety where seeds have been handed down for decades. Heirloom varieties can be unusual, less common, or rare potato varieties. All heirlooms are non-GMO, but potato seeds can be non-GMO while still being a standard variety.
Can you grow potatoes indoors?Yes, you can. Just keep in mind that they need a lot of root space to grow into healthy vegetables. Consider using a container with a capacity of at least 2.5 gallons.
What's the ideal potato plant spacing?Potato seeds grow into plants with a wide root ball, so give them plenty of space. Aim for trenches about 3 feet apart, and space the potato plants 12 to 15 inches apart in the row.
How much water do potato seeds need?On average, potato seeds need 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Give them a little extra when they're flowering.