How To Grow Potatoes

Here are the top tips for growing potatoes. For more detailed information, keep reading below.

• Sunlight: Plant potatoes in full sun.
• Soil: Plant potatoes in well-drained, acidic soil. Improve native soil with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil for in-ground gardens and raised beds, or use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix in outdoor containers.
• Watering: Give potato plants about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
• Hilling: Hill potato plants as they grow to prevent the developing tubers from turning green.
• Feeding: Begin feeding with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food one month after planting.
• Harvesting: Harvest small "new" potatoes after the plants flower, or wait until the foliage dies back for full-sized potatoes.

Potatoes are one of the most rewarding and easy-to-grow vegetables. Imagine stepping into your garden to dig up tender "new" potatoes for a summer meal or harvesting full-sized potatoes you can store and enjoy for months. It’s a fun experience for the whole family—nothing beats the novelty of digging up your own dinner!

When and Where to Plant Potatoes

Plant potatoes in the spring in a spot that receives full sun. They thrive in fertile, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 4.8 and 5.5. Test soil with a soil kit and adjust the pH if necessary. (Your local extension agency can tell you how.) It’s also a good idea to avoid planting them where tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants grew in the previous season since potatoes are particularly susceptible to diseases carried by those plants.

• For in-ground beds: create a nutrient-rich environment by mixing 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil into the top 6 inches of native soil.
• For raised beds: if you plan to grow your potatoes in a raised bed, fill your beds with the same Miracle-Gro Organic™ soil.
• For outdoor containers: fill your pots with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix.

How to Plant Potatoes

Instead of traditional seeds, potato plants grow from "seed potatoes", or a small piece of potato. For the best results, always start with certified disease-free seed potatoes.

To plant your potatoes

1. Prep the pieces. Cut your seed potatoes into pieces, making sure each piece has two or three "eyes" (bud sprouts). Let them dry (cure) for a couple of days before planting.
2. Plant them. Plant the pieces 4 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches apart. The eyes should be facing up. If planting in rows, space them 24 to 36 inches apart to give you room to walk and hill the plants later.

How to Care for Potato Plants

You may not be able to see those tubers growing in the ground, but you'll see foliage sprouting above ground before too long! To keep your potatoes growing their best, follow these tips:

• Watering Potatoes: Potatoes need consistent soil moisture—about 1 to 2 inches of water per week—but they don’t like soggy soil. Water around the base of the plants, not on the leaves. The most critical time for watering is when the plants are flowering and the tubers are starting to form.
• Hilling Potatoes: Hilling is essential for a good harvest. It involves piling additional soil up around the stems to keep sunlight from reaching the developing tubers. If exposed to light, potatoes turn green and produce a natural toxin called solanine, which should not be eaten. When your plants are about 6-8 inches tall, hill them by mounding soil halfway up the stems. Repeat this every three weeks or so until the plants begin to bloom.
• Feeding Potatoes: While rich soil gives your plants a great start, you’ll get the best harvest by feeding them regularly. Beginning a month after planting, give them a boost of nutrition with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food. Be sure to follow all label directions.
• Watch Out for Pests and Diseases: Use floating row covers early in the season to protect plants from pests like flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles. (Be sure to remove the covers just before the plants start to bloom.) You can prevent many fungal and bacterial problems by ensuring good airflow, avoiding watering the leaves, and making sure the soil pH isn’t too high.

When to Harvest Potatoes

You can start harvesting tender "new" potatoes anytime after the plant flowers. Gently scratch some soil under the plants aside and feel around for a few small tubers and pull them out, then replace the soil so the plants will keep growing. 

For full-sized potatoes, wait until the tops of the plants have completely died back. Carefully dig up the entire plant with a garden fork, trying not to pierce the potatoes. To prepare them for storage, "cure" the potatoes for two weeks in a cool, dark, humid place (like an unfinished basement or garage), which allows the skins to thicken. Afterwards, store them in a covered, ventilated box or bin.

How to Use Potatoes in Your Kitchen

Potatoes are a well-loved staple in many kitchens. You can bake them and set out a buffet of toppings to create your own baked potato. For side dishes, mash them with herbs and spices, or cut them up and roast them. Potato soup is another favorite dish, especially when topped with a little cheese and bacon. 

Potatoes are a great vegetable, not just for eating, but for growing! Use these tips to get started growing your own potatoes for a delightful harvest.