A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening Do I absolutely HAVE to use seed potatos?

I have read several threads about potatoes and they all say use certified seed potatoes. Has anyone actually gotten a decent crop planting regular grocery store potatos that have sprouted? I know it's not ideal, but I wanted to see if it's worked for anyone. Thanks!

Hi and welcome

Yes I have...but not all grocery potatoes will sprout. Some have been spray treated for a longer shelf life.

But if you do have potatoes that have 'eyes' showing..go ahead and plant them.

Thanks! That's good to know. I have a red potato that looks super promising so maybe I'll plant it and just see how it goes!

I have used golden grocery store potatoes and had a bumper crop. Last year I tried grocery store red potatoes and didn't do so well. This year I've planted certified, nursery bought red seed potatoes and they look like it's going to be a wonderful harvest. It seems red potatoes are harder than golden or at least in my area.

I planted, yellow and red last year..both from certified seed. I got three times as much red potatoes than what the yellow gave. From now on I plan only to plant the red.

I think "certified" makes a difference.

I too have used grocery store potatoes that are sprouting---and often around here potates will not say certified---so really in my opinion it always is a wise idea to be able to trust the vendor & what he is telling you.

I try to always know well the business I am buying my plants & seeds from.

I think I'll try to use the seed potatos next season. For now I'm gonna give it a shot with what I have and then I'll compare the results (if any) to next seasons certified crop. :wink: I'll let you know what happens!

This is my very first veggie garden EVER so I appreciate all the help! I'm super stoked about my newfound greenish thumb and my hubby finds it quite comical LOL! Every time he turns around I've come up with some other veggie to plant. So far tomatos cucumbers zuchini carrots jalapenos cilantro sweet potatos (bought as seedlings from local store) and as of today I planted my little red store bought mr potato head that could! I'm rootin for him! Forever a sucker for the underdog!

Garden fairy. when it comes up about 2 inches, mound more dirt on top of it to cover it up, and form a trench on each side.--then when it comes up again, mulch it with something like straw/grass to keep the weeds down. let us know how it comes along..

Thanks JunieGirl! I have a small garden and I read that you can use a stack of old tires to grow potatos, adding another layer of dirt and another tire until it's time to harvest. I'm trying this method. I've already started my sweet potato seedlings in a tire and "mounded" them just today, filling up the first tire! I plan on doing the same with Mr potato Head when he gets estabilished.

Here is a link to my sweet potato seedling pic:
Sweet Potatos

And a a link to my newly planted Mr potato Head:
My Red Potato

Don't know if that worked or not. I'm not the most computer savy girl around. Anyway, I'm excited to see how they do!

I did that last year using 4 tires.

Hi Gardenfairy - sounds like we are in the same with the new garden!! I did some gardening as a kid. But this is my first adult garden.

I planted some "butter ball" potatoes I bought at our Farmers market (not sure if butter balls are just baby potatoes but I think so) and I planred some certifed spuds. Both are doing great.

Keep me posted on your progress.

My wife feels the same about my garden as your husband does. I planted grapes last night. I figured well the fence was there and there was an empty piece of ground going to waste. Just wait till the chickens show up!!!

LOL No grapes for me (yet), but I did get kinda sucked into buying this kit to grow your own dwarf banana tree from a local grocery store! It was technically for kids, but I bought it anyway and I'm currently scoping out the perfect spot of wasted ground space for it! But that's a LONG term project.

Here's an update on the Red potato That Could! He's a champ! Soon it'll be time to add another tire!!!

[img]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30719554&l=d32dc2fc51&id=1137145307[/img]

Garden fairy please try to post your link again this one does not work & I would love to see your garden.

Maybe this will work better:

Red Potatos 6/10


Sweet Potatos 6/10

looking real good!!!

I've never planted sweet potatoes before.

:ding: I'm growing the sweet potatos mainly for my 1 year old daughter who LOVES them with a sprinkle of cinnamon! I got her a tiny watering can to help me and she gets a kick out of it! BTW Congrats on the new grandbaby to be! So exciting! Boy or girl?

Wow looks like sweet potatoes need some growing space?? Looks like a cuke plant!!

Yeah the sweet potatos have gone CRAZY! I need to add another tire so they continue growing up. I'm hopeful this means I'll have a big crop to show for it tho!