Ever thought about growing your own potatoes? With the International Day of the Potato on May 30th, there’s no better time to dig into this fun and rewarding garden project. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a big backyard or just a sunny porch, these easy tips will help you plant, grow, and harvest your own delicious spuds. No green thumb needed!
1. Why Potatoes Deserve Their Own Day
Potatoes are one of the most important food crops in the world. They're nutritious, easy to cook, and grow in almost any climate. From French fries to mashed potatoes, this humble veggie deserves a celebration (and growing your own makes it even more special).
2. The Best Potato Varieties to Grow at Home
Not all potatoes are the same. Some grow fast, some store longer, and others taste amazing roasted. Try Yukon Gold for creamy texture, Red Pontiac for boiling, or Fingerlings for fun colors and shapes. Choose what's best for your taste and space.
3. Can You Really Grow Potatoes in a Bucket?
Yes, you can! Just grab a 5-gallon bucket or grow bag. Add drainage holes, fill it with soil, and plant your seed potatoes. As they grow, keep adding soil. This is a great way to grow spuds on patios or balconies.
4. When to Plant Potatoes in Your Zone
Potatoes like cool weather. Plant them 2–4 weeks before your last frost. In warmer zones, start in early spring. If it’s already late, try planting a quick-growing variety and harvest baby potatoes before it gets too hot.
Read more: Check Out This One Woman’s Abundant Potato Harvest From A Single Plant!
5. How to Prep Seed Potatoes (It’s Easier Than You Think!)
Start with seed potatoes, not ones from the store. Cut them into chunks with at least one “eye” per piece, then let them dry for a day or two. This helps prevent rot when planted. Some gardeners skip cutting and plant them whole.
6. Soil Secrets for Happy Spuds
Loose, well-drained soil helps potatoes grow big and healthy. Mix compost or aged manure into the soil before planting. Avoid heavy clay or soggy spots. Potatoes don’t like wet feet!
7. The Trick to Hilling Your Potato Plants
“Hilling” means piling soil or mulch around your potato plants as they grow. Do this when plants are 6 inches tall. It keeps sunlight off the tubers (so they don’t turn green) and gives more room for potatoes to grow.
8. Watering Potatoes the Right Way
Potatoes need steady moisture, especially during flowering. Water deeply once or twice a week, and more if it’s dry out. Try to keep the leaves dry to prevent disease. Mulch helps keep the soil moist longer.
9. Avoid These 3 Common Potato Problems
Watch out for green potatoes (from sun exposure), scab (from too much lime), and rot (from overwatering). Proper planting, hilling, and spacing will help avoid most of these issues.
10. Harvest Time! How to Know When Potatoes Are Ready
For baby potatoes, dig a few weeks after flowering. For full-size ones, wait until the plants turn yellow and die back. Gently dig with a fork or your hands to avoid bruising the spuds.
Read more: When Are Potatoes Ready To Harvest?
11. Storage Tips to Make Your Harvest Last All Winter
Cure your potatoes in a cool, dark place for 1–2 weeks to toughen the skins. Then store them in a cool (but not freezing), dark, and dry spot. Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat!
12. What to Do With Sprouted Store-Bought Potatoes
It’s tempting to plant sprouted grocery potatoes, but they might carry diseases. Use certified seed potatoes for best results. If you do try store-bought, plant them in containers to keep them separate.
13. No Garden? No Problem. Grow Potatoes in a Laundry Basket!
This fun hack works! Line a basket with newspaper, fill it halfway with soil, and add seed potatoes. As they grow, add more soil. Great airflow keeps the roots happy, and harvesting is easy; just dump it out.
14. How Kids Can Join the Potato Fun
Potatoes are a great plant for kids. They grow fast, and digging them up is like a treasure hunt. Let kids decorate their own grow containers or help with watering, hilling, and harvesting.
15. Celebrate Your Harvest with Yummy Potato Recipe Ideas
Once you’ve grown your own, it’s time to eat! Try roasting fingerlings with herbs, making cheesy mashed potatoes, or slicing up homemade fries. Fresh potatoes taste better than store-bought, guaranteed.
Grow, Harvest, Celebrate!
Growing potatoes is easier than you think and perfect for celebrating the International Day of the Potato. If you're new to gardening or already love it, these tips will help you grow a tasty crop you’ll be proud of.