Hey everyone! I'm wondering if I need to wait for seed potatoes to sprout before I plant them, or can I just plant them straight away? I did a quick search but couldn't find a clear answer. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
You actually don’t have to wait for your seed potatoes to sprout before planting them. Some people choose to chit them first – which means keeping them in a warm spot for a few weeks to encourage sprouting – but it’s not necessary. Just keep in mind that if your soil is on the colder side, unsprouted potatoes might rot, so planting chitted potatoes can sometimes give you a better start!
No need to wait! I've planted seed potatoes both ways, and honestly, I got a good yield either way. Just get them in the ground and you'll have plenty of potatoes come harvest time!
If you have regular potatoes at home, check if they’re sprouting. I found some in my pantry that were sprouting, cut them into pieces, and planted them with at least two eyes each. I let them dry for a day before planting, and it worked out great! Just make sure they aren't chemically treated to prevent sprouting; otherwise, you could stick to certified seed potatoes.
That’s a good tip! I found some sprouting in my kitchen too, but I wasn't sure if I should use them. Sounds like it's worth a try!