How Do You Make Seed Potatoes?

Making seed potatoes involves preparing healthy potato tubers to sprout ("chit") before planting, effectively turning them into viable starter plants for your garden. This process encourages strong, healthy growth and an earlier harvest.

The Process of Making Seed Potatoes (Chitting)

The primary method for "making" seed potatoes is known as chitting, which encourages the development of strong sprouts, or "eyes," before planting. This gives your potato plants a head start.

Step-by-Step Preparation

To successfully prepare your potatoes for planting, follow these steps:

1. Select Healthy Potatoes: To get started, make sure you select healthy, organic potatoes without any cuts or bruises. Avoid any potatoes that show signs of disease or rot, as these could transfer issues to your soil.
2. Wrap Individually: Once you have chosen suitable potatoes, wrap them individually in a damp paper towel. This helps maintain the necessary moisture level around each tuber, creating an ideal environment for sprout development.
3. Encourage Sprouting with Onion: After wrapping, place them in a perforated bag with an onion. The onion will release ethylene gas, which will help the potatoes sprout faster by stimulating the growth of their "eyes." A perforated bag is crucial as it allows for air circulation, preventing mold.
4. Optimal Environment: Store the bag in a cool, dark, and slightly humid location. Ideal temperatures are typically between 50-60°F (10-15°C). A garage, basement, or a cool cupboard can work well. Avoid direct sunlight, which can turn the potatoes green and make them toxic.
5. Monitor and Maintain: Check the potatoes every few days to ensure the paper towels remain damp (but not waterlogged) and to observe sprout development. It typically takes a few weeks for significant sprouts to form.

Optimal Conditions for Sprouting

For the best results, consistency in environmental conditions is key:

• Temperature: Maintain a consistent cool temperature (50-60°F / 10-15°C).
• Light: Keep the potatoes in a dark environment initially. Once sprouts begin to form, you can expose them to indirect light to encourage sturdier, green sprouts, which are less likely to break off.
• Humidity: The damp paper towel and a slightly humid environment help prevent the potatoes from drying out and encourage robust sprout growth.

When Are They Ready?

Your potatoes are ready to be considered "seed potatoes" and planted when their sprouts are about 0.5 to 1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long and sturdy. These sprouts should ideally be thick and green or purple, not thin and white (which indicates they've been in too much darkness). Larger potatoes can be cut into smaller pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one or two eyes (sprouts). Allow cut pieces to "cure" for a day or two before planting to form a protective layer, reducing the risk of rot.

Why Make Your Own Seed Potatoes?

Preparing your own seed potatoes, often referred to as "chitting," offers several benefits for the home gardener:

• Cost-Effective: It can be more economical than purchasing pre-chitted seed potatoes.
• Variety Selection: You can use healthy, organic potatoes from your own harvest or local markets, giving you access to a wider range of varieties.
• Head Start: Chitted potatoes establish faster in the garden, often leading to earlier harvests and potentially higher yields.
• Reduced Risk: By selecting healthy, organic potatoes, you minimize the risk of introducing diseases that might be present in commercially sourced seed potatoes.

Essential Supplies for Making Seed Potatoes

To get started with chitting your potatoes, you'll need a few simple items: