Growing Potatoes from Store-Bought Tubers
Can you grow potatoes from shop-bought spuds? The answer is yes—but there are important pros, cons, and tips to do it successfully and safely. Here’s how to get started, what to watch out for, and when certified seed is the better choice.
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Advantages of Growing Store-Bought Potatoes
- Easy and Cheap:
Supermarket potatoes are convenient and affordable. - Wide Variety:
Lets you try unusual colors or types not found as seed potatoes.
Risks of Using Store-Bought Spuds
- Disease Risk:
Shop potatoes may harbor blight, viruses, or other pathogens that can linger in your soil and infect future crops. - Sprout Inhibitors:
Many store potatoes are treated to prevent sprouting—these can take longer to chit or may not sprout at all. - Unknown History:
No guarantee of chemical-free or disease-free production.
How to Grow Potatoes from Store-Bought Tubers
- Check for Sprouting:
Look for potatoes with healthy “eyes” or tiny shoots. Avoid shriveled, green, or moldy spuds. - Chit Sprouts:
Place in a cool, bright spot to encourage short, sturdy shoots before planting. - Pre-Plant Inspection:
Discard any soft, rotten, or diseased-looking tubers. - Plant as Usual:
Plant, feed, and water as you would with seed potatoes. Be extra vigilant for pests and disease. - Rotate and Isolate:
Don’t plant near last year’s potato or tomato beds to help avoid disease spread.
Maximize Success
- Use smaller, less chemically treated varieties; organic potatoes sprout more reliably.
- If possible, only use store potatoes in new beds, containers, or places far from your main potato patch.
When Not to Use Store Tubers
- If you’ve had blight or soil-borne diseases before.
- For competition, seed-saving, or show crops—always use certified seed for best quality and health!
Bottom Line
- For a fun experiment or small crop, store-bought potatoes can work. For disease prevention, long-term gardening, or high yields, certified seed remains the gold standard.