Potatoes

​Potatoes

• Buy certified seed potatoes as they are disease free and have plenty of starch to sprout.   Seed potatoes can be found at most nurseries, and even garden centers in big box stores
• Larger seed potatoes can be cut into pieces that weigh at least 2-3 oz.  Small potatoes can be planted whole without being cut.   Each piece should have at least one "eye" or sprouting/growing point.   It's okay if they are small eyes.  Cut potatoes need to lay in a single layer on a tray and allowed to dry 4-7 days before planting.  This will allow the cut side(s) to harden or suberize.   Potatoes should not be freshly cut or wet when planting or you have a greater chance of it rotting.
• Plant 1-2 inches deep, about 8-12" apart.   
• Potatoes are slow to emerge and take several weeks.  Be patient.  Emergence is dependent on soil temperature, potato variety and growing conditions.  
• We will discuss potato care in upcoming emails as well as how to "hill" potatoes later in the spring.

​Information above was from taken K-State publications and newsletters.  If you would like full links, I would be happy to send them to you!