Seed Potatoes: Choosing, Chitting and Cutting Before Planting
How to choose certified seed potatoes and varieties, why to chit potatoes, how to cut seed potatoes, and whether you can plant sprouted store-bought potatoes.
Good potatoes start with good seed potatoes: certified, disease-free tubers of a variety suited to your purpose. Chitting them for a few weeks before planting gives an earlier, often larger crop.
Choosing Varieties
| Type | Days | Examples | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early | 60–90 | 'Yukon Gold', 'Red Norland', 'Rocket' | New potatoes, short seasons |
| Mid-season | 90–110 | 'Kennebec', 'Red Pontiac' | All-purpose |
| Main crop | 110–130 | 'Russet Burbank', 'Maris Piper', 'Désirée' | Storage, baking, fries |
| Blight-resistant | varies | 'Sarpo Mira', 'Defender' | Wet, blight-prone areas |
How to Chit
- 3–6 weeks before planting, set tubers in egg boxes or trays, the end with most eyes facing up.
- Keep in a bright, cool (10–15 °C), frost-free place, out of direct sun.
- Plant when sprouts are short, sturdy and dark, about 1–2 cm long.
Cutting Seed Potatoes
Cut large tubers into pieces of 40–60 g (about the size of an egg), each with at least two eyes. Let the cut surfaces dry and callus for 1–2 days before planting to reduce rot.
Store-Bought or Sprouted Potatoes
Sprouted kitchen potatoes can grow, but they may carry viruses or blight and are often varieties chosen for shelf life, not garden performance.
More Potato Guides
- How to Grow Potatoes: The Complete Guide
- Planting and hilling potatoes
- When to harvest potatoes
- How to store potatoes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to chit potatoes?
No, but chitting speeds growth and is especially useful for early varieties.
How many eyes should a seed potato piece have?
At least two.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.