As a professional gardener, I take pleasure in guiding beginners on growing their own food. Potatoes are one crop I always suggest trying due to their ease of growth and variety. If you’ve ever wondered if you can use supermarket potatoes with sprouted eyes instead of buying expensive seed potatoes, the answer is a definite yes. You can plant supermarket potatoes just like seed potatoes.
Timing is crucial when starting your seed potatoes. You can begin planting them as early as April, so most gardeners purchase them in March. If you have supermarket potatoes sprouting in February, you can keep them in a dry brown paper bag until they’re ready. Typically, supermarket potatoes bought in March, especially organic ones, have a good chance of being ready for planting by early April.
To know if your sprouting potatoes are ready for planting, look for a bit of vine emerging from the eyes. Even a ½ inch of vine makes the potato viable. When planting, be careful not to break the vines, but don’t worry too much as more vines can grow. Whether planted in the ground or in containers, potatoes are easy to grow and a tasty way to start your gardening journey.
Which potatoes to plant
While you can plant any type of potatoes, I recommend starting with organic potatoes if possible. Organic potatoes are hardier and more disease-resistant than those grown with pesticides. They also tend to sprout faster. I suggest buying organic potatoes from the grocery store or farmers’ market. Some varieties like French fingerlings and Kennebec potatoes are worth the investment.
If you want to know the exact variety of potato you’re growing, supermarket potatoes may not provide clear information. I’ve had success with gourmet assortments of miniature potatoes. Organic russets are also good options due to their versatility and storage life.
To cut or not to cut?
Some growers use a process called “chitting” to speed up sprouting, while others recommend cutting the potatoes. Chitting methods vary, but I’ve had success using sprouted potatoes straight from a paper bag. Cutting large potatoes with multiple eyes or small potatoes with one vine should be fine. Potatoes are forgiving, so you can experiment with cutting or planting them whole.
I like to plant a mix of varieties and stagger plantings for a longer harvest season. Some of my favorite potato varieties include Rose Finn Fingerlings, Kennebec, Adirondack Blue, German Butterball, and Red Gold. You can even store some harvest for winter and use sprouted potatoes in spring for planting. Growing your own organic potatoes in a thrifty, sustainable way is a rewarding experience.
