Growing potatoes indoors is a rewarding and practical way to enjoy fresh produce year-round. Whether you're new to gardening or looking for a fun indoor project, learning how to grow potatoes indoors is easier than you might think.
Why Grow Potatoes Indoors?
Growing potatoes indoors is a practical and rewarding option for those of us who are committed to off-grid living, self-reliance, or prepping. Potatoes are a versatile, nutrient-rich food staple that can sustain a family in times when food (or money) is scarce. And when you learn how to grow potatoes indoors, you're boosting your family's self-reliance skills.
Year-Round Food Security
One of the biggest advantages of growing potatoes indoors is the ability to produce food year-round, regardless of weather conditions or growing seasons. If you're trying to garden in colder climates or during harsh winters, an indoor potato garden ensures a steady supply of calories without relying on outside sources.
Control Over Growing Conditions
When you grow your own food to feed your family, all the responsibility is on you. But you also have all the control.
Indoor potato cultivation gives you complete control over soil quality, light exposure, temperature, and humidity. This minimizes risks from outdoor pests, potato blight, or unpredictable weather conditions threatening outdoor crops.
For preppers and off-grid families, this level of control enhances food security and reduces dependence on external food systems while helping to build up our prepper pantries.
Efficient Use of Space
Indoor gardening is an excellent solution for those living in smaller homes or off-grid setups without much land for farming. In our case, we've successfully grown winter indoor vegetables in our homes in the Northwest Territories and in the northern parts of Ontario.
With the right containers, even a sunny windowsill or a grow light-equipped corner can yield a satisfying potato harvest. Our southwest-facing laundry room has turned into an amazing indoor greenhouse. We started by growing beans indoors about eight years ago and have tried all sorts of veggies.
Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency
Growing vegetables like potatoes indoors aligns with my quest for a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing our reliance on grocery stores and the industrial food supply chain.
For us, this means fewer trips to town when we are wintering in the far north and a more resilient food system. Using organic matter like compost or peat moss for your soil also contributes to a more sustainable approach.
Preparing for Emergencies
Preppers value indoor potato gardening as a way to build a reliable food source for emergencies. Whether it's a power outage, a natural disaster, or an economic crisis, having indoor-grown potatoes ensures a calorie-dense and shelf-stable crop to rely on. And when money's tight, potatoes are a staple of budget gardening, too.
A Step Toward Complete Self-Reliance
For those striving for complete self-reliance, every crop grown indoors is a step closer to independence. Potatoes are easy to grow and store, making them an ideal addition to a low-maintenance garden and an off-grid food system. They pair well with other root vegetables and can be replanted from seed potatoes year after year, creating a sustainable loop.
Adding indoor potato gardening into your lifestyle does more than just provide you some extra carbs. You're becoming more self-reliant and independent. And you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you can provide for yourself and your family, no matter the circumstances.
Choosing the Right Potatoes for Indoor Growing
Before planting, selecting the right type of potato is important for successful indoor growing.
Selecting the Best Potato Varieties
Early and mid-season potato varieties work best for indoor gardens because of their shorter growing season. Popular choices include:
- Red Norland: Early potatoes have a smooth texture and are ideal for roasting or boiling.
- Yukon Gold: Known for their creamy flesh, these are great for mashing or stews.
- Fingerlings: These small, waxy potatoes are perfect for salads.
Using Seed Potatoes
Start with high-quality seed potatoes, which are certified disease-free and designed for planting. Unlike grocery store potatoes, seed potatoes sprout reliably without growth inhibitors.
Preparing Seed Potatoes for Planting
To prepare your seed potatoes, they need to sprout. About one to two months before planting, bring your stored potatoes to a warmer spot with some natural light to start the sprouting process.
This process is called chitting, and it encourages the growth of strong sprouts from the eyes. For best results, lay the potatoes in a single layer in shallow trays or paper pots to ensure adequate air movement.
Here's how to chit potatoes. Place them in a bright, cool spot with the eyes facing up until sprouts appear. Then, cut them into smaller pieces, ensuring each has one or two sprouts.
Setting Up the Ideal Environment
Creating the right environment is crucial for growing healthy indoor potato plants.
Choosing the Right Container and Soil
Opt for containers with good drainage, such as large pots, fabric grow bags or wooden crates. Ensure they are at least 12 inches deep to accommodate tuber growth. Use a commercial potting mix rather than garden soil, as it is lighter and reduces the risk of disease.
Providing Adequate Lighting
Potatoes require six to eight hours of light daily. A sunny windowsill works well, but grow lights are a great option if natural light is limited. Position lights six inches above the plants, adjusting as they grow.
Maintaining Temperature and Humidity
Keep the temperature between 60°F (about 15.5 C and 70°F (21 C) during the day and slightly cooler at night. Moderate humidity and good air circulation prevent fungal infections. A small fan can help with air movement.
Planting and Caring for Indoor Potato Plants
With your setup ready, it's time to plant.
Step-by-Step Indoor Potato Planting Guide
- Fill your container with four inches of potting mix.
- Place the seed potato pieces on the soil surface, spacing them six inches apart.
- Cover with two to three inches of soil.
- Water the soil evenly, keeping it moist but not soggy.
- Place the container in a sunny spot or under a grow light.
- As the plants grow, add soil around the stems (hilling), leaving the top leaves exposed.
Watering and Fertilizing
Potatoes need consistent soil moisture. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. To encourage healthy growth, use a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks.
Hilling and Mulching
Hilling prevents sunlight from reaching developing potatoes, which can turn them green and bitter. Add more soil or mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, as the plants grow taller.
Managing Common Issues and Pests
Indoor potato plants may face challenges like pests and diseases. Here are some tips on dealing with them naturally.
Preventing Diseases
Fungal infections are common in humid conditions. Ensure good drainage, avoid overwatering, and remove affected leaves promptly. It might be a good idea to set up a watering schedule, especially if your home includes more than one gardener.
Our first batch of indoor potatoes was a complete failure due to overwatering. We were all so afraid of them drying out that we were watering them at every turn. So they rotted.
And here's a tip from a good friend of mine. Neem oil or a baking soda spray can control fungal growth.
Controlling Pests
Aphids, mites, and whiteflies can harm potato plants. Inspect the leaves regularly and then remove pests with a damp cloth or a water spray. For severe infestations, insecticidal soap or neem oil can help.
Harvesting and Storing Your Potatoes
The most rewarding step is harvesting your potatoes. And, of course, cooking with them.
Knowing When to Harvest
Potatoes are ready to harvest two to four months after planting when the foliage turns yellow and dies back. Stop watering at this stage, and let the soil dry out before digging.
Harvesting Techniques
Loosen the soil gently and lift the plants to avoid damaging the tubers. Brush off dirt without washing the potatoes, as wet tubers can rot.
Storing Your Harvest
Cure potatoes in a cool, dark place for one to two weeks. After curing, store them at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated spot. Avoid refrigeration, as it changes the flavor and texture. For more information, read my post on how to store vegetables without a root cellar.
How to Save Potatoes to Grow More Potatoes
Saving potatoes to grow future crops is a simple and sustainable way to ensure you always have seed potatoes on hand. For off-grid families like ours, preppers, and those aiming for self-reliance, this practice is a great way to create a self-sustaining loop to secure your food supply.
Selecting Potatoes for Saving
Choose healthy, medium-sized potatoes from your harvest to save for planting. These should be free of blemishes, cuts, or signs of fungal infections like potato blight. Whole small potatoes or potato pieces with at least two eyes are ideal, as they're ready to sprout when conditions are right.
Preparing Potatoes for Planting
To save potatoes for planting, store them in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. A root cellar, basement, or other room with a stable temperature of around 50°F (10°C) works well. This storage method keeps the potatoes dormant and prevents premature sprouting.
Cutting Seed Potatoes
If your saved potatoes are large, you can cut them into smaller seed pieces. Each piece should have at least one or two eyes.
Allow the cut surfaces to dry for a day or two before planting to prevent rotting. This step helps maintain proper care for your young plants as they grow.
Replanting Saved Potatoes
You can plant your saved potatoes once the soil temperature reaches about 45°F (7°C) in early spring or late winter. Place them in a container or indoor potato garden with a commercial potting mix or a mix of organic matter, matured compost and peat moss. Cover the seed pieces with about three inches of soil surface and water lightly to maintain moist soil.
A Sustainable Cycle
By saving your own potatoes, you reduce reliance on outside sources like grocery stores or seed suppliers. Over time, you can experiment with different potato varieties to find what works best in your conditions.
Whether you're growing potatoes in deep pots, small containers, or larger setups, saving seed potatoes is a good idea to ensure food security and long-term sustainability in your indoor potato garden. While you're at it, go ahead and save your tomato seeds too.
This method saves money and ensures you always have new plants ready for your next growing season. It's a simple and effective way to take another step toward complete self-reliance.
Yes, You Can Grow Potatoes Indoors
Learning how to grow potatoes indoors is a fun and accessible way to grow fresh food at home. By choosing the right potato varieties, creating optimal conditions, and following proper care techniques, you can enjoy a rewarding potato harvest.
FAQs About How to Grow Potatoes Indoors
Do you have questions about growing potatoes indoors? Here are answers to the most common queries. If your question isn't here, leave it in the comments.
Can You Grow Potatoes with Artificial Light?
Yes, grow lights are effective substitutes for sunlight. LED or fluorescent lights provide the spectrum and intensity needed for potato growth.
Is It Possible to Grow Potatoes from Store-Bought Potatoes?
Yes, but only if they're organic and untreated with sprout inhibitors. Seed potatoes are generally a better choice.
How Much Space Do I Need to Grow Potatoes Indoors?
A container at least 12 inches deep and wide will work for a small harvest. One of my friends grows her potatoes in big, open-weave laundry baskets. Larger pots or grow bags generally yield better results.
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