How to Sprout Seed Potatoes
Potatoes are a common crop for home gardeners because they're fairly easy to grow a range of soil conditions. Seed potatoes are potatoes that are intended to be planted rather than eaten. They're also typically certified as being free of the many diseases that affect potatoes. Seed potatoes are the most common method of propagating potatoes for both commercial crops and home gardeners. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Ensure that you're in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 6 through 11. Potatoes are vulnerable to cold and only tolerate a light frost, especially while they're sprouting.
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2
Select a planting site without shade. Potatoes should have as much direct sunlight as possible. The best soil is a light loam with excellent drainage that still retains moisture. Potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. Loosen the soil in the planting field and space small mounds of soil about 3 feet apart.
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3
Select a planting day between one and two weeks before the last expected frost of the spring. Store the seed potatoes at room temperature one to two weeks before planting them and ensure they receive plenty of sunlight each day. Allow the potatoes to sprout until a day or two before the planting date.
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4
Use a clean, sharp knife to slice the large seed potatoes into smaller sections that have one to two eyes. You can plant the smaller seed potatoes whole. Place three of the potato "seeds" in each of the mounds that you prepared in Step 2. Cover the eyes with three inches of soil.
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5
Keep the soil moist but don't allow it to become waterlogged. The sprouts should begin to grow once the soil temperature rises to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the young potato plants from frost with a layer of straw.
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