The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

464 - Planting Day: Potatoes – how to plant and what to expect as they grow underground

3/24/202640 min

Struggling with poor potato harvests or slow growth? You're not alone.
In this episode, you'll learn how to plant potatoes step-by-step for stronger plants and better yields.
From choosing seed potatoes to soil prep and spacing, this potato planting guide will set you up for success.

Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops you can grow, but planting them correctly makes all the difference. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do before planting day, including how to choose the right seed potatoes, whether to chit them, and how to prepare your soil. I'll also share what's worked in my garden over the years, including mistakes I've made so you can avoid them.

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Key Takeaways

Choose certified seed potatoes to protect your soil and improve yields
Match potato varieties to your cooking goals and growing season
Prep soil with organic matter and balanced fertilizer
Plant at the right depth and spacing for strong growth
Use mulch or light hilling to protect developing potatoes

Resource Links

Seasonal Garden Task List (free): https://journeywithjill.net/seasonal-task-list

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Sponsor(s) for this Episode

Garden in Minutes – Simplify your watering system with easy-to-use garden grids. Use code Jill for 7% off: http://journeywithjill.net/gardeninminutes

Cross County Nursery – A trusted source for quality plants to support your garden success.

Wood Prairie Family Farm – Certified organic seed potatoes in a wide range of varieties. Use code JILL5 for 5% off: http://journeywithjill.net/woodprairie

As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclaimer

Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.

Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

Speaker 00:00
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Jill McSheehy· Host0:29
Potatoes. How I love growing and harvesting them, and eating them. Growing your own, especially experimenting with different varieties, is such a treat as you realize the variety and flavor that you can get. But back to growing them. I have made mistakes, and most of the time that's at planting. If potato planting day is coming up in your garden, today I'm going to walk you through exactly what to do, from choosing the right seed potatoes to planting them properly so that they grow strong and produce well for you. But first, a word from one of our sponsors today, Garden in Minutes. If you're in the middle of spring planting right now, filling raised beds, transplanting seedlings, direct sowing cool weather crops, this is also the perfect time to think about watering. Before your garden fills in and gets big, it is much easier to install a system now. That's why I love the Garden Grid watering system from Garden in Minutes. It waters evenly right at