Most of us toss our potatoes away once we see them start to sprout – but an expert says you should plant them instead. That way, you can grow your very own potato crop.
Potatoes are one of the most quintessential British staples. Their centres are sumptuously warm and fluffy once cooked and pair well with almost any meal. You can boil them, mash them, fry them or roast them. Better yet, you can create a full meal using baked jacket potatoes, piled with a dollop of butter, cheese and whatever else your heart desires.
The one downside is that if you leave potatoes lying around in your cupboard too long, they may start to sprout. This is when they develop strange knobbly green ends on their beige skins.
Many people throw their potatoes out once they notice sprouts forming – for good reason. The sprouts affect the taste of the potato, leaving a sharp, bitter tang after eating.
Worse still, the sprouts contain toxins called glycoalkaloids which can make you very sick when ingested. Symptoms can be highly unpleasant and include vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
But even though they can’t be eaten, it doesn’t mean you should throw your potatoes in the bin. They can be put to better use growing more spuds in your garden instead.
According to Jeff Favelle, owner of the gardening YouTube channel The Ripe Tomato Farms, sprouted potatoes are perfect for planting. “These little beauties produce more potato plants right on the surface of their skin,” he said.
Potatoes will begin to sprout on their own. However, if you wish to induce the sprouting process, Jeff advises to keep them above 15 to 21 degrees and out of direct sunlight.
He explained: “Contrary to popular belief, sprouting your potatoes – also known as chitting – can happen in the dark or the light.” Though, he warned: “Too dark, however, and you can end up with giant light-seeking stalks.”
The sprouted potatoes can then be planted straight away in your garden – granted the winter frost has passed. If it’s still too cold outside, it’s best to pot them indoors.
“A small four-inch pot should be enough for each sprout,” Jeff said. He continued to explain that each sprout should be planted individually, as each one forms a new potato.
To do this, you should cut off the sprouts, leaving about a centimetre of the potato still attached. According to Jeff: “This will help anchor the plant.”
Then simply fill your plant pot with regular potting mix, before pushing your potato sprout down into the soil. They should be kept in direct sunlight and watered frequently from below.
After a few weeks, the potato plants will have begun to grow through the soil. At this point, they are ready to be planted outside, in the warmer spring temperature.
Depending on when you plant them, the first early potatoes are usually ready to be harvested after 80 days. This typically falls around mid-June.
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