This Gardener Figured Out How to Propagate Potatoes from Store-Bought Spuds
TikTok has schooled us on quite a bit, even teaching us things we didn’t even know we needed to know! You know, like how to properly clean dishwasher filters and the fastest way to hang up your clothes. It’s important stuff!
Now, if you’re a vegetable gardener that wants a ready supply of potatoes (who doesn’t?), TikTok has a trick for you. This is how to propagate potatoes the easy way.
How to Propagate Potatoes
This advice comes from TikTok gardener @rachel_loaf. It’s super simple, so even if you’re a vegetable gardening rookie, she’ll get you set on the right path. A path with an endless amount of potatoes!
The process is easier than you think. First, grab a potato that has started to sprout. Rach says you can either bury the entire potato as is, or you can cut the sprouts into individual pieces.
@rachel_loafReply to @stefsex it’s really easy I swear
If you separate the sprouts, she recommends leaving them out to dry for a few days so they don’t start to mold. Rach planted her potatoes in normal soil with organic fertilizer and worm castings. Cover the sprouts with soil, water twice a day for a few months, and suddenly you’ll have so many potatoes, you won’t know what to do with them!
She ended up with about six pounds of potatoes.
@rachel_loafIf you’re a potato farmer please don’t lecture me about how I should’ve harvested these I’m learning ok?? #tipsandtricks #ecohacks #howto♬ Baby Elephant Walk – Henry Mancini
Find more raised bed garden tips from a pro.
Can I Plant Store-Bought Potatoes?
You can—and this TikTok gardener did. But typically, gardeners plant seed potatoes. The name is a bit misleading—potatoes don’t actually grow from seeds, but rather sprouts from an already grown and ripened potato. Because grocery store potatoes are often treated with growth inhibitors, they don’t often form natural sprouts. But it you have a sprouted potato in the pantry, go ahead and plant it!
In no time, you’ll have potatoes straight from the garden.
Potato Recipes Perfect for Summer
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Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard Sauce
Show your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
Veggie Nicoise Salad
More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish...and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Spicy Cajun Potato Salad
Here in Louisiana we have a lot of get-togethers, and if you want your dish to be chosen over all of the rest, it has to have a kick! This does the trick. —Amanda West, Sibley, Louisiana
Sweet Potato & Chickpea Salad
Take this colorful dish to the buffet at a family gathering, or enjoy it as a great meal all by itself. —Brenda Gleason, Hartland, Wisconsin
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled for real sweet tooths. A great-grandma, I've spent over 85 years on the farm.
Crispy Smashed Herbed Potatoes
Golden brown and buttery, these spuds live up to their tantalizing name. A sprinkle of fresh herbs when they’re hot out of the oven maximizes the flavor…and the pretty. —Althea Dye, Howard, Ohio
Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Jalapeno & Cotija Cheese Potato Stack Pie
Pie isn't just for dessert anymore. Stacking thinly sliced potatoes with layers of minced jalapenos and crumbled Cotija cheese helps turn ordinary spuds into something truly spectacular...especially when served with salsa and sour cream. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Fresh Corn & Potato Chowder
This corn chowder recipe was one of my favorites as a child in upstate New York, and I still love it today. For extra depth, place the spent cob in the soup, simmer, then remove. —Tracy Bivins, Knob Noster, Missouri
Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas is the ultimate Spanish comfort food. Served tapas-style, the crispy potatoes and smoky sauce are difficult to resist. Add a drizzle of garlic aioli for a richer flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Very Veggie Baked Potatoes
Take a break from heavy meat dishes with these chock-full-of-vegetables baked potatoes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garden Vegetable Gnocchi
When we go meatless, we toss gnocchi (my husband's favorite) with veggies and a dab of pesto. I use zucchini in this, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Roasted Sweet Potato & Prosciutto Salad
I still think there's no better combo than sweet potatoes with pork, or prosciutto in this case. I'm a retired physician and am glad that sweet potatoes are being given their due as nutritional powerhouses. —Helen Conwell, Portland, Oregon
Grilled Loaded Potato Rounds
My go-to recipe for outdoor potlucks is an awesome potato side. I prep everything and grill at the party. Pass with sour cream, cheese, bacon and chives. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Tangy Potato Salad with Radishes
Summer's approach makes my family think of potato salad. This tangy side is also great in the winter when it's served hot with cubed ham. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Homemade Potato Chips
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamed Garden Potatoes and Peas
New potatoes and peas are treated to a creamy sauce for this special side. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas
Hawaiian Hash
I like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Sweet Potato Crab Cakes
Mild sweet potato flavor and a chipotle kick complement the fresh crab in these hearty cakes. Serve them with your favorite mayo or aioli sauce. —Robert Bosley, Pacific, Washington
Tzatziki Potato Salad
My son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radishes, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
BBQ Chicken Waffle Fries
This is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
White Ale Potato Salad
Take this one outside! My grown-up recipe uses beer instead of mayo, so you don't need to worry about keeping it cool. It's a really popular recipe on my blog, girllikestoeat.com. —Jenny MacBeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Twice-Baked Red Potatoes
Before my baby was born, I was in nesting mode and made lots of freezable recipes like these creamy red potatoes. The yogurt is a healthy swap for sour cream. —Valerie Cox, Secretary, Maryland
Southern Hash Browns and Ham Sheet-Pan Bake
There's nothing more perfect on a busy weeknight than breakfast for dinner, especially when a sheet pan is used to make it. In my recipe, hash browns and ham are tossed with a special sauce that's sweet, tangy and irresistible. Add in a few eggs and some freshly chopped scallions, and dinner—or breakfast—is served. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Tropical Sweet Potato Salad
I had an abundance of sweet potatoes, so I put them to work and came up with this sweet and spicy salad. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Green Bean and Potato Salad
For family reunions, my mom would make everybody's favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I'm the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas
Shrimp & Sweet Potato Skewers
These skewers make romantic picnic food. I perfected them for a date with my wife. We like them with couscous and a glass of chilled wine. —Paul Wargaski, Chicago, Illinois
Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels Sprouts
My trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
Salmon and Spud Salad
I headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to pick up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario
Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Gorgonzola Spread
My husband first tried this recipe with plain potatoes. They were so yummy; we experimented with sweet potatoes. Dipped in Gorgonzola spread, they’re irresistible. —Kristen Minello, Macomb, Michigan
Potato-Sausage Foil Packs
We had these smoky campfire bundles at a friend's house for dinner and loved the simplicity of this great summer meal. Now we often make it for summer weeknight dinners. —Alissa Keith, Forest, Virginia
Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad
I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
Steak & New Potato Toss
I usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It's pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia
Air-Fryer Papas Rellenas
A Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. We love this papas rellenas recipe! —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Taco Tater Skins
I wanted to make a version of these with ingredients most people have on hand. We make a meal out of these skins, but they're also great for parties as appetizers. —Phyllis Douglas, Fairview, Michigan
Indian Ginger Potatoes
This easy ginger potato dish is so flavorful. Make it even faster by cooking the potatoes ahead of time or using leftover potatoes. —Erin Kelkar, Norcross, Georgia
Curried Sweet Potato Wedges
Sweet potatoes roasted with curry and smoked paprika delight everybody at our table. The mango chutney makes a tangy dip. —Simi Jois, Streamwood, Illinois
Mexican Roasted Potato Salad
My husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Potato Omelet
Even folks who don't care for eggs will enjoy this dish. The comforting tastes of potatoes, onions and garlic come through. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Sweet Potato Waldorf Salad
I came up with this recipe when I promised to bring a potato salad to a picnic but had no regular potatoes on hand. The sweet potatoes were there, so I revised my regular potato salad recipe and a new dish was born! Adding the apples was an inspired touch, and the dish was a hit.—Lois Jeffery, Chesterland, Ohio
Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce
Perk up gnocchi and vegetables with a flavorful pesto sauce. If you don't have pine nuts for the topping, skip or substitute any nut you like. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Dill Potato Wedges
These are my absolute favorites; I've been making them for years! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown Packets
Dining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes aren't just for dinner anymore. Top them with breakfast favorites to power up your morning. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Potluck German Potato Salad
This is a big hit at church potlucks. One man says he comes only so that he can eat my potato salad! —Kathleen Rabe, Kiel, Wisconsin
Loaded Huevos Rancheros with Roasted Poblano Peppers
This is a unique but tasty version of huevos rancheros. It's similar to a cowboy hash, as the potatoes take the place of the corn tortillas. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Fried Potato Salad
This recipe began with leftover fried potatoes I had on hand. We liked it so much that now I fry potatoes just to make this unique potato salad. Sometimes I add grated sharp cheddar for a cheesy twist. —Leann Stallard, Dryden, Virginia
Ham & Potato Salad Sandwiches
These little sandwiches with zingy toppings are super simple to pull together. This classic version originated in a deli in Prague, where they're a really popular winter party food. —Cara McDonald, Winter Park, Colorado
Creamy Ranchified Potatoes
My daughter-in-law gave me this recipe, and over the years I have tweaked it to our tastes. It's so nice to come home from work to a hot, tasty potato dish that's ready to serve! You can use any cheese you'd like and also any leftover meats that you have—chicken, for one. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
BBQ Hot Dog & Potato Packs
For these nifty foil packs, small hands make quick work of topping potato wedges with a hot dog, onions and cheese. — Kelly Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
The post This Gardener Figured Out How to Propagate Potatoes from Store-Bought Spuds appeared first on Taste of Home.
