DS2 (7) is trying to grow potatoes by..

[prepperpig]

Simply sticking sprouting potatoes in a large flowerpot with compost. Is this likely to do anything or will they just rot and die?

Thank you!!

I've grown potatoes from spouting supermarket ones - they were quite good actually. Make sure it's a big enough pot though - they need space.

That will work, could even emulate cost saving farmers of old and cut the large ones in half.
The main difference is your DS's potatoes are not specially produced seed potatoes so therefore not virus free.

Fab, thank you. They're in, labelled and watered. He's very exited so fingers crossed!

Be careful not to overwater or they will rot.
They will vary between needing very little water until the shoots emerge and then finally daily watering when fully leafed and the tubors are expanding.
How exciting for your DS.
Maybe when they are getting going you could invest in a pot of mint to put a sprig in the water whilst you cook your special crop.

My mum recently told me that when she was a child, her DM used to grow potatoes by getting leftover supermarket ones and then chopping them in to bits! As long as each bit had a shoot on it she said it would grow and as far as my Mum can remember they did.

So going to try that next year.

We do this every year! The odd ones at the back of the cupboard. I'm no expert on gardening though but I find it the most easiest thing to grow. Your son will love growing his own potato's! Good luck.

I did this a couple of years ago and got a bumper crop. Really easy way of getting more potatoes.

I always find quite a few potato plants growing in the compost heap so it should work!

I've had potatoes sprout in the compost heap too - so, yes, it does seem to work.

I had potatoes grown from sprouted peelings once. They kept reappearing for years. Until the dog arrived and killed everything with his prolific wee .

Wow- this would really work? We usually have a couple sprout as sometimes we go a while between eating potatoes. Will any variety work?

It will work, provided they've not been sprayed to prevent them sprouting. Some also have viruses, which you then can't get rid of very easily from your soil, so take care. Personally, the risk is too high for me, so I stick to my seed potatoes. You can buy them very cheaply from Wilkos or Aldi.

I have read that it is illegal to plant potatoes grown outside the EU because of the risk of spreading soil-borne viruses. I have no idea whether that's true, though.

Oh. Ours are organic and often come from Egypt. Perhaps not then.
Is it possible to buy seed potatoes of a specific variety then?
We really like the taste of Lady Balfour, but I'm guessing the variety will be specifically bred and trade protected? Could you tell me some good sources for seed potatoes please?

Argh- sorry, just seen, Willis or Aldo, thanks!
Do you know which varieties they have, at all?

Hey Atomic- there are LOADS of varieties, and it really depends what you want in a potato! (If that doesn't sound too weird!).

A lot of people ask me why I bother growing potatoes when they are so cheap to buy. Two answers, really. Firstly, the taste of home-grown is sooo much better than from the supermarket - I mean you're talking way more interest and differences in flavour than you can buy there, to the point that if you are not careful you will just start munching them straight out of the pan! Secondly, potatoes are great for turning up the soil in a new patch so they do a load of digging for you!

Here's the bad news: you're a bit late. You put very early potato varieties in during March, intermediate varieties (called second earlies) in during early/mid April, and main crops during May. However, since it's been a cold start to the year, you will probably get away with some main crop varieties if you get them in asap.

My salad/maincrop potatoes this year are: Pink Fir and Ratte. However, if you live somewhere warm and wet, I hear great things about Sarpo potatoes, which are supposedly very blight-resistant. (And far from being something out of the past, blight is a huge problem!)

Oh and buying - Aldi were out a couple of weeks ago in my area, so maybe try a garden centre to see if they have any left, or mail order if more convenient!

I was in a garden centre yesterday and they had loads.. Half price too!

Thank you!
That's really helpful. I know a few varieties we like. And I agree- things you've grown always taste better than bought

I can even be persuaded to grow and eat sprouts on that principle. SPROUTS! Evil green mini cabbages of badness.

Now sprouts are a step too far!