Seed Potatoes

Grow your own fresh potatoes. In early spring, cut each potato into pieces with 1 eye in each piece. A rule of thumb-you can expect about 5 eyes per pound of potato. Allow pieces to stand a day or two to allow the cut sides to form a skin. Plant into soil at 50 degrees F. When plants flower, potatoes can be dug or hill dirt up around plant for more and bigger potatoes. The consensus is that … all things being equal … seed that has been cut and allowed to heal is less prone to decay in the soil than seed that is planted very soon after cutting.
Cutting seed can also speed the termination of dormancy. I favor planting small intact tubers whenever possible. However, when cutting is necessary, holding the seed in cool, well-aerated but humid condiitons for 3-5+ days can both promote healing and prompt the development of a bud(s) on each seed piece. Of course, what must be watched is the number of buds or sprouts per seed piece; if planting is delayed and sprouts are removed during planting, a low stand-count (population) will result.

Our potatoes are all Certified Blue Tag (#1) seed potatoes unless otherwise indicated. Certified Yellow Tag may have some hollow hearts which should not affect growability or quality. Potatoes are usually available in early March. For best choice, order in January and tell us when you want them. Potatoes are usually available around March 1. We will begin taking orders around mid December and stop when we run out. In the comments section on the check out sheet, indicate when you would like delivery. If they don’t appear in your cart when you order them, they are gone.