When To Plant Sprouted Potatoes

The best time to plant sprouted potatoes is after the last frost date in your region, typically in early spring.
 
Knowing when to plant sprouted potatoes is a common question for gardeners who notice those little eyes poking out of their stored spuds.
 
That sprouting is actually the potato’s way of telling you it’s ready to grow, so your job is to time your planting perfectly to give it the best chance.
 
If you plant them too early, a late frost can kill the tender shoots, but if you plant them too late, you’ll miss out on a full harvest.
 
In this post, we’ll talk about the ideal window for planting sprouted potatoes, how to prep them, and what conditions they need to thrive.
 
Let’s dig right in.
 

When To Plant Sprouted Potatoes: The Perfect Timing

When to plant sprouted potatoes really boils down to soil temperature and the calendar.
 
Sprouted potatoes need soil that’s at least 45°F (7°C), and ideally warmer, around 50°F (10°C), for steady growth.
 
This usually falls two to four weeks before the last expected frost in your area, but you can always check with your local extension office for exact dates.
 
Here are the key factors that decide when to plant sprouted potatoes.
 

1. Soil Temperature Matters More Than Air Temperature

The single most important factor for when to plant sprouted potatoes is the temperature of the soil itself.
 
Cold, wet soil can cause your sprouted potatoes to rot before they even get a chance to push roots down.
 
Grab a soil thermometer and check the ground at about 4 inches deep in the morning.
 
If it reads 45°F or higher, you’re good to go, and if it’s still colder, wait another week.
 
Planting sprouted potatoes in warm soil encourages faster emergence and reduces the risk of disease.
 

2. Your Local Frost Date Is Your Guide

Your last frost date is the biggest calendar marker for planting sprouted potatoes.
 
In most regions, the best time to plant sprouted potatoes is about two weeks before that final frost date.
 
This way, the shoots are just emerging as the danger of hard frost passes.
 
If you live in a mild climate, you can even plant sprouted potatoes in late winter, but for colder zones, early to mid-spring is your sweet spot.
 
You can find your specific frost dates by searching your zip code online.
 

3. Chitting Means You’re Already Ahead of Schedule

If your potatoes have sprouted, you’ve already done the “chitting” or pre-sprouting process.
 
The whole point of chitting is to get a head start, so you can plant sprouted potatoes earlier than unsprouted ones.
 
Those sprouts give the tuber a jump start on growth once it’s in the ground.
 
So, while regular seed potatoes might be planted right at the frost date, sprouted ones can go in a bit earlier if the soil isn’t frozen.
 
Just watch the forecast and protect new shoots with a layer of straw or row cover if a cold snap hits.
 

How To Prepare Sprouted Potatoes For Planting

Now that you know when to plant sprouted potatoes, you also need to prepare them properly.
 
Not all sprouted potatoes are ready for the ground right away, and a little prep goes a long way.
 
Here’s the prep checklist that pairs perfectly with your planting schedule.
 

1. Check The Sprouts’ Length

Sprouts that are short and stubby, less than an inch long, are perfect for planting.
 
If your sprouts are long, pale, and tangled, they’ve been in storage too long and might be weak.
 
You can still plant them, but gently remove any damaged or broken sprouts first.
 
Healthy sprouts should be green or purple and firm, not mushy.
 
When you choose when to plant sprouted potatoes, make sure they’ve had a few weeks in bright, indirect light to green up those shoots.
 

2. Cut Larger Potatoes With Multiple Eyes

If your sprouted potatoes are larger than a chicken egg, you can cut them into chunks before planting.
 
Each chunk should have at least two or three sprouts or “eyes” on it.
 
Cut them a day or two before planting so the cut surfaces can callus over, which prevents rot in the soil.
 
This is a great way to stretch your seed potatoes further once your planting window opens.
 

3. Keep Them In A Bright, Cool Spot Until Planting Day

If you’re waiting for the right time to plant sprouted potatoes, don’t toss them in a dark drawer.
 
Instead, place them in a cool room, around 50°F, with plenty of indirect sunlight.
 
This keeps the sprouts short and sturdy instead of long and fragile.
 
A bright windowsill or a sunny garage shelf works perfectly.
 
You’re essentially keeping them in hibernation mode until your planting date arrives.
 

Best Practices For Planting Sprouted Potatoes In The Ground

Once the timing is right and your spuds are prepped, the actual planting method is straightforward.
 
Planting sprouted potatoes isn’t tricky, but a few best practices will boost your harvest.
 
Follow these steps when the soil is ready.
 

1. Dig Trenches or Holes About 4 Inches Deep

Sprouted potatoes should be planted with the sprouts facing upwards.
 
Place them about 12 inches apart in rows that are 30 inches apart.
 
Bury them with 4 inches of soil, and don’t worry, the sprouts will find their way to the surface.
 
This shallow depth allows the soil to warm quickly, which is exactly what your sprouted tubers crave.
 

2. Water Sparingly Right After Planting

You might be tempted to give them a big drink, but resist that urge.
 
When you plant sprouted potatoes, the soil only needs to be slightly moist, not soggy.
 
Overwatering right after planting is the number one cause of rot.
 
Water lightly once at planting, then wait until the sprouts break the soil surface before watering again.
 

3. Hill The Soil As The Plants Grow

About two weeks after your sprouted potatoes emerge, you’ll want to start hilling.
 
This means pulling extra soil up around the stems as they grow.
 
Hilling keeps developing tubers covered, preventing them from turning green and bitter.
 
You can do this every couple of weeks until the plants flower.
 
This simple practice is the secret to a bumper crop from your sprouted spuds.
 

So, When To Plant Sprouted Potatoes?

The best time to plant sprouted potatoes is in early spring, once the soil hits at least 45°F, and roughly two weeks before your last frost date.
 
Sprouted potatoes can be planted a bit earlier than unsprouted ones, as long as you protect them from frost with mulch or row covers.
 
You now know when to plant sprouted potatoes, how to prep them, and exactly how to get them into the ground for a successful season.
 
So, mark that calendar, check that soil temperature, and get those sprouted spuds in the earth.
 
Happy planting, and here’s to a heavy harvest of homegrown potatoes.