It happens every winter: you buy a bag of potatoes, only to find them sprouting before you can use them. Rather than tossing them out, you might consider growing these grocery store potatoes in your garden. But can store-bought potatoes really grow? The answer is yes, and here’s how you can transform pantry waste into a thriving edible crop.
Are Store-Bought Potatoes Safe to Grow?
Growing sprouted grocery store potatoes can yield a delicious harvest that is safe to eat. However, there’s a caveat: unlike certified seed potatoes that are disease-free, store-bought potatoes may harbor pathogens such as blight or fusarium.
To minimize the risk of introducing these pathogens into your garden soil, consider growing sprouted potatoes in containers. At the end of the season, discard the growing medium and sanitize the container thoroughly.
How to Grow Store-Bought Potatoes
Learning how to grow store-bought potatoes is straightforward, even for beginners. Here’s what you need to do:
- Prepare for Planting:
Hold onto your sprouted potatoes until spring planting time. Potatoes should be planted when soil temperatures reach around 45°F (7°C). Check with your local extension office for the optimal planting time in your area. - Planting in the Ground:
If planting in the ground, prepare the soil by working it to a depth of 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) a few weeks before planting. Potatoes thrive with plenty of organic compost or slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil. - Planting in Containers:
For container planting, gather suitable containers like 5-gallon buckets or 12-inch (30 cm) deep plastic totes. Ensure they have drainage holes drilled in the bottom. Plant one to two potato plants per bucket, or space them 8 inches (20 cm) apart in totes.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow store-bought potatoes in your garden or containers, turning sprouted pantry potatoes into a rewarding crop come harvest time.
