Anyone one grow potatoes from ones from the grocery?

Cafe Society
1

So I had a few potatoes left in a bag of mixed fingerling potatoes that I forgot about. Instead of rotting like they usually seem to do most of them have sprouted. It’s a mixture of purple, yukon and red potatoes and I thought I might try to grow them. I’ve been trying to read up on growing potatoes but I’m getting a little anxious and can’t focus on everything I’d need to do. How likely is it that I can get them to grow and produce and how much am I likely to get from just a few sprouted potatoes? Would I just be wasting my time to even try to plant them?

I also have a couple sprouted sweet potatoes. So, same question for them.

If it helps at all I am in Zone 10. We’ve got another cold snap coming but my area rarely gets hard freezes.

And yes, I know I should be better about cooking and eating my produce but I got busy and didn’t have time for much cooking.

2

you need a sprout (or pre-sprout a few eyes) for each plant so cut them up to give a big chunk.

use what you’ve read and go for it.

3

You can grow them easily as long as you have someplace suitable to plant them. I have done it a bunch of times starting as far back as elementary school. The reason most people don’t is because potatoes are really cheap and the grocery store will have more when you need them. If you are that frugal and/or curious though, go for it. Hey, free potatoes.

4

Yeah, it’s fun, but sometimes the ROI can make it less attractive. You have the materials and inclination: go for it! I usually throw sprouting potatoes into a big pot of compost. Like anything, it’s as complicated as you want it to be. I don’t do it the “right” way, and I still end up with some spuds.

Sweet potatoes are better in hot weather. Pull off the sprouts (“slips”) and keep them in water until the weather warms up. They need a good sunny spot, and I also prefer to put them in a raised bed or pot - less chance of worm damage (nematode worms, not earthworms).

Call your local Master Gardeners hotline!

5

I have. Just put them in a pot, and enjoy the free food a few months from now!

You would probably have better results if you leave them out for a few days, so the sprouts can grow and green up. You can bury the whole thing up to a foot deep, and they will poke out of the ground in no time.

6

Potato tower!

I have read you can also do one in a 50 gallon garbage can with the bottom cut off.