How to Plant a Potato With Eyes

Potatoes are not only a tasty vegetable, they're loaded with important vitamins, minerals and nutrients that all contribute to better health. With all of the concerns regarding pesticide use on commercial produce, many health-conscious individuals are leaning toward growing their own. If you are a fan of potatoes and want to grow your own, it is a simple process. All you need is some potato seeds with eyes, which are simply potatoes that have begun to sprout. Plant as soon as the danger of frost has passed, and enjoy the fruit of your labor by the end of the summer.

Cut the potatoes in half or quarters, depending upon their size. Make sure there is at least one or two eyes in each section. Let the cut pieces sit for two to three days so that the cut flesh starts to dry out and harden.

Dig a hole 1 inch deep and place the eyes of the potato facing up. Cover with 1 to 2 inches of soil, or enough so that the eyes are completely covered. As the tuber, or stems, continue to develop and grow up through the soil, cover them with more soil.

Plant the eyes in holes that are 12 inches apart. If you are planting rows, space them 3 feet apart.

Water your potatoes daily. As leaves and vines develop on the plant, continue to keep the tubers, or roots, covered with soil, mounding it up around the plant if you must.

Harvest the potatoes from the plant after the vines have developed flowers if you want small, young potatoes. If you want large, storage-size potatoes, harvest when the vines have yellowed and died off. To harvest, gently dig deep below the vine with a shovel.

Potatoes can also be grown in a deep container. Cover with dirt as you would in the ground, and as the shoots grow taller, continue covering them with dirt until the leaves and vines shoot out.

If the potatoes begin to grow above the ground, they will turn green; green potatoes are unhealthy.