KSRE
For Kansas gardeners, St. Patrick’s Day means something much more than donning a favorite green outfit and heading to local celebrations.
Traditionally, the Irish holiday signals the date for planting potatoes.
“Actually, anytime from mid- to late March is fine for potato planting,” said Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.
“Be sure to buy seed potatoes rather than using those intended for cooking. Seed potatoes are certified disease-free and have plenty of starch to sprout as quickly as soil temperatures allow.”
Domenghini notes that most seed potatoes can be cut into four pieces – “though large potatoes may yield more,” she said. Each seed should weigh between 1 ½ to 2 ounces, and likely have more than one eye.
Each pound of seed potatoes should yield 8 to 10 pieces, according to Domenghini.
“Cut the seed 2 to 3 days before planting so that freshly cut surfaces have a chance to suberize, or toughen, which provides a protective coating,” Domenghini said. “Storing seed in a warm location during suberization will speed the process.”
Domenghini recommends planting each seed piece 1 to 2 inches deep and 8 to 12 inches apart in rows.
“Though it is important to plant potatoes in March, they emerge slowly,” she said. “It is often mid- to late-April before new plants poke their way through the soil. As the potatoes grow, pull soil up to the base of the plants. New potatoes are borne above the planted seed piece and it is important to keep sunlight from hitting the new potatoes.”
Domenghini said exposed potatoes will turn green and produce a poisonous substance called solanine. Keeping the potatoes covered will prevent this.
Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to [email protected], or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.