Wondering how do you grow potatoes?

This beginner’s guide will show you exactly how to plant, care for, and harvest potatoes successfully — whether you’re using a traditional garden bed, raised beds, or containers.

If you’re a first-time gardener or looking to improve your potato harvest, you’ll find all the essential tips you need right here.

How Do You Grow Potatoes? Step-by-Step

Growing potatoes is easier than you might think — and it’s incredibly rewarding.
Here’s exactly how you grow potatoes for a healthy and abundant harvest:

1. Choose Your Seed Potatoes

Start with certified seed potatoes whenever possible. These are disease-free and specifically grown for planting.

If your potato starts are sprouting early, that’s a good thing! Sprouted potatoes grow faster once planted.

You can also plant store-bought potatoes, but they might be treated with chemicals that inhibit sprouting. Always choose organic if you go this route.

2. Prepare the Soil

Potatoes love loose, well-draining soil. Before planting, work compost or organic matter into your garden bed or container.

Where can potatoes grow best?

• Traditional garden beds
• Raised beds
• Large containers or grow bags
• Even old buckets with drainage holes!

They need at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best growth.

3. Cut and Chit (Optional)

If your seed potatoes are large, cutting and chitting potatoes in half can give you more plants.

Make sure each piece has at least one strong eye or sprout. Let the cut pieces dry for 24–48 hours before planting to prevent rot.

4. Plant Your Potatoes

• Dig trenches 4–6 inches deep.
• Space potatoes about 12 inches apart.
• Plant with the eyes facing upward, and cover with 3–4 inches of soil.
• As the plants grow, hill up (add more soil around the stems) to protect developing tubers.

How Do Potato Plants Grow?

Potato plants first grow leafy stems above ground.
Meanwhile, underground, they form tubers (potatoes) along the buried stems.

What do potato plants look like?

• Bushy green plants, about 2–3 feet tall
• Rough-textured, compound leaves
• Small white, pink, or purple flowers during mid-season growth

Once you see flowers, it’s a sign that tubers are forming beneath the soil!

Can You Plant Potato Eyes?

Yes — and it’s one of the easiest ways to grow potatoes!
The “eyes” of a potato are the tiny dimples where new sprouts emerge. You can either:

• Plant whole potatoes with multiple eyes
• Or cut large potatoes so each piece has at least one eye (after allowing them to dry)

Both methods work well for home gardens or container planting.

Can You Grow Potatoes from Store-Bought Potatoes?

Yes, but with caution.
While it’s possible to plant sprouted potatoes from the grocery store, many conventional potatoes are treated with sprout inhibitors. These chemicals can delay or prevent healthy growth.

Tips if using store-bought potatoes:

• Choose organic potatoes for fewer chemicals.
• Look for natural sprouts (small white or green shoots).
• Inspect for signs of rot or disease before planting.

Still, certified seed potatoes are your safest choice for a reliable, healthy crop.

Can You Plant Garlic with Potatoes?

Technically, yes — but it’s not ideal.
Garlic and potatoes both compete for underground space and nutrients. Planting them together can reduce your potato yield.

Better companion plants for potatoes include:

• Beans (add nitrogen to the soil)
• Cabbage (deters pests)
• Horseradish (repels harmful insects)
• Marigolds (natural pest repellents)

If you really want to plant garlic nearby, keep it in a separate bed or distant section of your garden.

Can Potatoes Grow in the Winter?

In most climates, potatoes cannot grow during winter due to freezing temperatures.
However, if you live in a mild climate (USDA Zones 8–10), you can attempt a winter potato crop by protecting plants from frost with row covers or cold frames.

Ideal potato growing season:

• Plant in early spring
• Harvest in late summer to early fall
• Mild climates: Potential second crop in winter with frost protection

Beginner Tips for Growing and Harvesting Potatoes

• Keep hilling soil: As potato plants grow taller, keep adding soil around the stems. This protects tubers from sunlight and encourages bigger yields.
• Water consistently: Potatoes need about 1–2 inches of water per week, especially after flowering.
• Watch for pests: Common pests include Colorado potato beetles and aphids. Inspect plants regularly.
• Rotate crops: Don’t grow potatoes in the same spot every year. Rotate them to different beds every 2–3 years to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Final Thoughts: How Do You Grow Potatoes?

Growing potatoes at home is simple, fun, and highly rewarding.
By following these beginner tips for planting, caring for, and harvesting potatoes, you’ll enjoy a hearty crop that you grew yourself — right from your backyard or patio!

Whether you start with seed potatoes, plant potato eyes, or even try sprouting store-bought spuds, potatoes are a forgiving and productive choice for any new gardener.
Happy planting!

🥔 Quick FAQ: How to Grow Potatoes at Home

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