Growing Potatoes: How To Plant & Harvest Potatoes | Garden Design

How to Grow Potatoes The steps for planting, harvesting and storing potatoes at home By Linda Hagen | Updated 7/7/25

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Freshly dug potatoes. Photo by: Arie Studio / Shutterstock.

Have you ever grown your own potatoes? If not, you might be surprised how easy it is! Potatoes can be grown in the ground, in raised beds, or in large containers. Many gardeners prefer raised beds because of the good drainage and soil control. Simply choose a sunny spot, provide loose, fertile soil and regular watering and you can have your own homegrown potatoes.

On this page: Basics | How to Plant | Harvesting | Storing | Care | Troubleshooting & Tips | FAQs

On this page:

• BASICS
• HOW TO PLANT POTATOES
• HARVESTING
• STORING
• POTATO PLANT CARE
• TROUBLESHOOTING & TIPS
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BASICS

Botanical name:

Solanum tuberosum

Hardiness Zones:

Grown as a cool-season annual in most zones; can be grown year-round in frost-free areas

Soil:

Loose, well-drained, fertile soil with pH 5.8–6.5. Adding compost improves soil structure and provides a slow-release source of nutrients.

Sunlight:

Full sun (6+ hours per day)

Water:

1" per week; consistent moisture is key

Days to maturity:

70–120 days, depending on variety and climate

Popular varieties:

Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Kennebec, Russet, Fingerling

HOW TO PLANT POTATOES

Photo by: Kevin Lee Jacobs.

Step 1: Choose Seed Potatoes

The first step in planting potatoes is choosing high-quality seed potatoes. These aren’t actual seeds, but small, whole potatoes or chunks of larger ones that will sprout into new plants.

Certified seed potatoes from a garden center, farm store, or online supplier are guaranteed to be disease-free, unlike grocery store potatoes. Many of the potatoes purchased in grocery stores have been treated with sprout inhibitors to extend their shelf life and aren't ideal for growing.

If your seed potatoes haven’t started sprouting yet, set them in a warm, well-lit area (like your kitchen counter or windowsill) for a few days. This process, called chitting or pre-sprouting, encourages early growth and can help you harvest potatoes a bit sooner.

Photo by: Kevin Lee Jacobs.

Step 2: Prepare and Cut Your Seed Potatoes

Once your seed potatoes have sprouted, it’s time to prep them for planting. If your seed potatoes are small (about the size of a golf ball) you can plant them whole. Larger potatoes should be cut into smaller pieces.

Using a clean, sharp knife, slice each large potato into chunks, making sure each piece has at least 1 to 2 “eyes” (small dimples or buds where sprouts emerge). These eyes will be where the stems and leaves of your potato plants form.

After cutting, let the pieces cure for 3 to 5 days in a warm, dry spot that is out of direct sunlight. This helps the cut surfaces callous over, which reduces the risk of rot once they’re in the ground.

Photo by: Kevin Lee Jacobs.

Step 3: When and How to Plant Potatoes

Aim to plant your potatoes about 2 to 4 weeks before your last expected frost, when the soil temperature reaches at least 45°F. In warmer climates, that might be February; in cooler regions, it’s often March or April. Gardening expert