If you delay using your supermarket-bought potatoes, you will probably see small sprouts appear. They do not interfere with the consumption of your tuber vegetables: simply remove them before using. However, you can also decide to take advantage of this by growing them in the garden.
Planting sprouted potatoes , a crazy idea? Not at all! Even if you bought them in a store, you can absolutely plant your sprouted potatoes in the vegetable garden by following a few simple principles. Learn how to plant sprouted potatoes for low-cost harvests.
Can all sprouted potatoes be planted?
The answer is yes, as long as they are healthy and free of rot spots. If you bought organic potatoes at the supermarket, they have not, by definition, received any pesticide treatment. However, peppermint essential oil, orange essential oil and ethylene are allowed in organic farming to prevent the potatoes from sprouting. If your store-bought potatoes do not have the “organic” label, they have undergone various treatments for their cultivation as well as an anti-germination treatment .
Generally, this is maleic hydrazide which replaces chlorpropham (CIPC) banned since 2020 in Europe. These substances only slow down germination : their action is reversible. Your treated potatoes can therefore all germinate. It is, however, likely that the growth of the plants and the harvest will not be optimal as in the case of organic potatoes. Make sure, before growing them, to clean the treated potatoes well to remove as much of the product as possible and promote germination.
Can we plant sprouted potatoes directly in the ground?
Wait until the sprouts are 2 to 3 cm high before planting them. If you plant them before, and even before the presence of sprouts, plants will develop but much more slowly. Similarly, if you plant your potatoes with longer sprouts, they will already be branched, leading to short growth and therefore a low yield.
To encourage germination, it is also important to start growing your sprouted potatoes in a warm place to give them the best possible starting points. Store them in a well-ventilated room, between 10 and 20°C and bright. Arrange them in crates without overlapping them so as not to hinder the development of the sprouts. When the sprouts have reached the desired length, it is time to plant them in the vegetable garden.
When is the best time to plant sprouted potatoes?
Plant your potatoes between February and May, depending on your region, outside of frost periods: the soil temperature must be at least 10 °C. Later planting is possible (between July and September). However, the short time before the autumn frosts will not allow you to enjoy a good harvest.
What are the ideal conditions for growing sprouted potatoes?
Plant your sprouted potatoes in deep, light, humus-rich and well-drained soil. For their proper development, make sure to install your plants in a sunny location.
How to plant sprouted potatoes?
To successfully plant your sprouted potatoes:
- Loosen your soil deeply. If your soil is heavy, add sand or compost to lighten it;
- Dig planting furrows 10 to 15 cm deep, leaving a space of approximately 60 cm between two rows;
- Place the sprouted potatoes at the bottom of the furrow, with the sprout facing upwards and ensuring a spacing of 50 cm between the plants;
- Cover with soil;
- Water generously.
