Expert gardeners recommend planting potatoes around the time of last expected frost, but that time can vary based on where you live.
Seed potatoes come in every variation—russet, Yukon, fingerling, you name it. Your garden supply store will have options for you to choose from, and they can order you any type of potato they don’t already have in the store.
One week is ample time for your sprouts to grow between 1⁄4 inch (0. 64 cm) and 1⁄2 inch (1. 3 cm) in length. That means they’re almost ready to be planted.
If you don’t have compost, buy a balanced commercial fertilizer, superphosphate, or bonemeal, all available at the garden supply store.
You should generally provide your potatoes with 1–2 inches (2. 5–5. 1 cm) of water per week, including rainfall. They prefer their soil moist, but not waterlogged. [8] X Research source
Continue hilling about once a week: it will protect baby potatoes from being exposed to direct sunlight.
Many species of potatoes will grow into tubers large enough to eat after 10 weeks, but leaving them in the ground longer will yield the largest crop.
Your pot will also need to contain a sizable drainage hole. Black reusable plastic pots from the garden store work well for growing potatoes, as the black color holds in warmth and the bottoms have built-in drainage.
Don’t overcrowd the pot: 6 inches (15 cm) is the minimum amount of space in which your potato can still grow.
If you live in a hotter climate, your soil will get drier quicker and will need to be watered more often. Check twice a day.
Check the skin of each potato for white, mushy spots—these could signify fungus, in which case the potatoes are not safe to eat. They should be uniform in color with tight, firm skins.
