How to Easily Propagate Potatoes from Store-Bought Spuds

In the realm of vegetable gardening, there's a golden rule: you can never have too many potatoes. But what if I told you that achieving an endless supply of these starchy delights was as simple as a TikTok trend? Yes, you heard it right! TikTok, the hub of ingenious life hacks and DIY trends, has unveiled a remarkable trick for potato propagation.

With @rachel_loaf's guidance, even the greenest of gardening novices can embark on a journey to potato paradise!

The process itself is as straightforward as it gets. First things first, procure a humble potato that has begun to sprout. Now, here comes the twist: you have two options. You can either bury the entire potato as is, embracing its natural inclination to sprout and thrive, or you can slice the sprouts into individual pieces, effectively multiplying your potato potential.

But hold on, there's a pro-tip from Rachel herself: if you opt for the latter method, let those sprouts air dry for a few days to prevent any unwelcome mold from spoiling your potato party. Once they're ready, it's time to nestle them into the nurturing embrace of soil fortified with organic fertilizer and the magical touch of worm castings. With diligent watering twice a day for a few months, you'll soon find yourself swimming in a sea of potatoes, pondering what culinary delights to whip up with your newfound abundance.

In fact, Rachel herself reaped the rewards of her efforts, harvesting a whopping six pounds of potatoes. Now, if that isn't a testament to the efficacy of this method, I don't know what is!

Can You Really Plant Store-Bought Potatoes?

The short answer: absolutely! While seasoned gardeners often opt for seed potatoes, those plump, untreated tubers specially bred for planting, store-bought potatoes can serve as a surprisingly fertile starting point. Despite their tendency to be treated with growth inhibitors, rendering them less likely to sprout, if you stumble upon a sprouting gem nestled in your pantry, waste no time in ushering it into the soil.

In a matter of weeks, you'll witness the miracle of life unfurling before your eyes as those humble spuds transform into flourishing potato plants, promising a harvest that's as rewarding as it is delicious.