A few weeks ago, I met a really cool guy named Bill Whitehead while I was taking a pruning course. He knew tons and tons about Potatoes and their history in the UK. He showed me a Yam, which is the oldest known type of potato that is still grown in the UK. It dates from 1771.
He also gave me two Potatoes to save and plant next year. They were a black variety called Congo and a red variety called Highland Burgundy Red. I’ve always known that saving your own potato seeds is dangerous because you could get diseases on them. Instead, it’s better to buy seed that isn’t sick from a store, which is what I usually do. I thought I would try to save these interesting varieties for next year, though, since I was given them.
So I’m going to give it a go. You can tell everyone, “I told you so!” if I’m wading through a sea of Blight this time next year.
Growing potatoes from seed potatoes you saved yourself is an economical and sustainable way to get a farm-fresh crop of spuds. With proper harvesting, storage, and pre-sprouting techniques, you can successfully save seed potatoes for planting again the following year.
Why Save Seed Potatoes?
There are several benefits to saving your own potato seed instead of buying new each year:
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It’s free – Save money by getting next year’s crop for the price of this year’s harvest.
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Higher quality – Homegrown seed potatoes avoid chemicals used on commercial ones.
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Adaptability – Potatoes acclimate well to your garden’s conditions.
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Fun factor – Enjoy growing unique or heirloom varieties year after year.
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Availability – Have seed potatoes ready when you need them
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Sustainability – Reduce waste by replanting versus throwing away potatoes
How to Choose Potatoes for Seed Saving
Pick healthy, vigorous potato plants to save as seed stock. Avoid saving any potatoes that showed disease or pest damage. Also, steer clear of supermarket potatoes, as they are typically treated with sprout inhibitors.
Ideally, save seed potatoes from plants that had robust foliage, high yields, and succeeded in your garden conditions. Medium-sized potatoes in the 5 to 8 ounce range often make the best seed.
Heirloom and unusual potato varieties are a great choice for seed saving from year to year.
When and How to Harvest Seed Potatoes
Harvest seed potatoes about two weeks after the plant tops die back. Test that potatoes are mature by digging up a sample hill and rubbing the skin off – it should not come off easily if the potatoes are ready to harvest.
Use a spading fork to gently unearth mature potatoes. Avoid bruising or cutting the potatoes, as wounds provide entry points for disease.
As you dig, select your best seed potatoes and set them aside in a single layer in a cool, shaded spot to dry for a few hours before storing.
Proper Seed Potato Storage
The key to saving seed potatoes successfully is providing cool, dark storage conditions to keep them dormant until planting time. Here are a few storage tips:
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Store at temperatures between 35-40°F for 4-6 months. Temperatures up to 50°F will also work.
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High or fluctuating temperatures cause premature sprouting – avoid!
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Store in complete darkness. Exposure to light causes greening and solanine toxin formation.
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High humidity around 90% prevents shriveling. But avoid condensation.
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Good storage options: cellars, cold cellars, root cellars, crawl spaces
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Use slatted boxes, trays, or old milk crates to allow air circulation.
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Periodically check for rotting and discard any diseased potatoes.
Pre-Sprouting Seed Potatoes
About 1-2 months before your planting date, move seed potatoes to a warmer location with indirect sunlight around 60-70°F to initiate sprouting. This gives them a head start once planted in the garden.
Keep humidity high during pre-sprouting. Moist burlap sacks or perforated plastic bags work well.
Check frequently and remove any potatoes that show long, spindly sprouts, molds, or rots.
Plant sprouted potatoes when the sprouts are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Sturdy green sprouts are ideal.
Planting Pre-Sprouted Seed Potatoes
Timing: Plant sprouted seed potatoes 2-3 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
Spacing: Space seed potato pieces 12-18 inches apart in rows, hills, or trenches.
Planting Depth: Plant larger pieces 3-4 inches deep. Cover smaller pieces with just 2 inches of soil.
Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or manure.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer or short-acting chemical fertilizer at planting time.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
Growing a Bountiful Seed Potato Crop
With proper harvesting, storage, pre-sprouting, and planting techniques, you can enjoy an abundant seed potato crop grown sustainably from last year’s harvest!
How To Save Seed Potatoes From This Years Harvest To Grow Next Year
FAQ
How long can seed potatoes be stored?
How to store sprouted potatoes for planting?
Can you freeze seed potatoes?
Should I save seed potatoes?
There are many schools of thought with regards to saving seed potatoes for planting the successive year. Many people say to just use USDA certified seed potatoes. This will indeed be the most direct route to a healthy, disease free crop of spuds, but these seed potatoes can also be quite pricey.
Do seed potatoes take a lot of storage space?
While they do take a bit of storage space, they’re pretty easy to save. Saving seed potatoes can also save you a lot of money on next year’s garden, especially if you generally rely on having potatoes shipped to you. What About Disease? Many people don’t save seed potatoes because of the fear of disease.
How do you keep potatoes from dying?
Give them plenty of water through the summer, especially when they start to flower. Once the leaves turn yellow and die back, stop watering — this will help preserve the potatoes for harvest. 8. Harvest your potatoes — This is best done on a dry day.
