
Ashleigh Smith

Potatoes are a staple to almost any kitchen. They are not only tasty, but filling and can be prepared in a myriad of ways. I once had a high school teacher from Idaho who was so proud of potatoes, he would spend an entire class period presenting the ways in which a potato could be prepared. They are so versatile you can use them in any meal to project a unique flavor, or texture.
While Idaho is known for their potatoes, they can actually be grown in many places. If you live in zones 3-10 you shouldn’t have much of a problem getting a crop of your own. Outside of those zones you will likely need the assistance of season extending, or cooling devices. One of the coolest things about potatoes is how easily they can be grown.
To start a plant of your own you have a couple of options. The first is to start from seed. You would do this as you would for most garden vegetables. Simply start in a small container by planting the seed ¼ inch deep. Once it is a couple of inches tall you can transplant it. As the potatoes start developing it is important to hill them to protect the tuber development.
When starting potatoes from tubers you will want to locate the eye and point it upward when planting. The “eye” is the growth development that you can see when you don’t use your potatoes fast enough. If you have multiple on a single potato you can cut it into sections containing one “eye”. When propagating from a tuber you can plant directly into the final trench about 6 inches deep.
Generally it is more common to grow potatoes from their tubers, unless you are specifically growing the potato plant to harvest its seed.
About the Author

I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 comments
Anthony Johnson
what is the best time to start your seeds indoors before planting outside?
Further Reading
Celebrate Earth Day with 10% Off - 48 Hours Only
Celebrate Earth Day 2025 with 10% off SITEWIDE with code “EARTH25” Offer only valid for 48 hours - 9 A.M. 4/23/2025 through 9 A.M. 4/25/2025 MDT Save on your last-minute spring garden needs! Seeds, supplies, and more! This deal won’t last long. What is...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-232 min read0Living on the Edge: 10+ Edible Plants for Landscape Borders
Written By Lara Wadsworth Why settle for pretty when your garden and landscape borders can be tasty too? If you’ve ever met me, you know that I love beautiful plants that are also utilitanian. Plants that feed the soil, feed me, or promote pollinators ...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-237 min read0Growing Microgreens at Home: A Beginner's Experience
Written By Lara Wadsworth Microgreens seem to be used at every gourmet restaurant, are being talked about in every health magazine, and are having more and more scientific research released about the purported health benefits of these little plants. Wh...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-1510 min read0How to Harden Off Seedlings in 5 Easy Steps
Written By Lara Wadsworth Hardening off is the process of gradually exposing your seedlings to new outdoor conditions to help them adjust without experiencing transplant shock. This is when a seedling becomes delayed, stunted, or even dies after being ...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-156 min read4