The Sassy Prepper’s Guide to Growing Potatoes: Your Survival Crop for Starch and Substance

Potatoes aren’t just a comfort food – they’re an essential survival crop. Packed with carbs, vitamins, and minerals, potatoes are a hardy, reliable crop that can help keep you and your family nourished all year round. If you’re prepping for long-term food storage or just want to grow your own hearty food, potatoes should be on your survival gardening list.

Why Potatoes Are a Prepper’s Dream Crop

➡ High Yield: Potatoes are incredibly productive, with each plant producing multiple tubers. This makes them an excellent food source to sustain you for months.

➡ Versatile: Whether you’re boiling, baking, mashing, or frying, potatoes can be used in a variety of ways. They’re perfect for any survival meal.

➡ Storage-Friendly: Once harvested, potatoes store well for months, making them a reliable food supply through the winter.

➡ Easy to Grow: Potatoes are relatively simple to grow, even for beginner gardeners, and they’re adaptable to various growing conditions.

Choosing the Right Potato Varieties for Your Survival Garden

Not all potatoes are created equal. When choosing varieties for your prepper garden, consider your climate, storage space, and personal preferences.

1. Russet Potatoes

Russets are large, starchy potatoes perfect for baking and mashing. They’re also excellent for long-term storage and thrive in cooler climates.

2. Yukon Gold

Yukon Golds are a waxy variety with a creamy texture, ideal for boiling or making potato salad. They store well and produce reliably.

3. Red Potatoes

Red potatoes are smaller, with smooth, thin skin and a waxy texture. They’re perfect for boiling or roasting and hold their shape well when cooked.

4. Fingerling Potatoes

Fingerlings are small, elongated potatoes that come in a variety of colors. They have a nutty flavor and are great for roasting and adding to salads.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are not true potatoes, but they’re just as valuable in the survival garden. They’re rich in vitamins A and C, and they store well for long periods.

How to Grow Potatoes: Step-by-Step

Growing potatoes isn’t difficult, but it requires some planning. Here’s how you can start your potato patch for a successful harvest.

1. Choose the Right Location

Potatoes need full sun to thrive, so select a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Potatoes also prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5). If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider mounding or using raised beds to improve drainage.

2. Preparing Your Soil

Potatoes love rich, loamy soil that’s full of organic matter. Work compost into your soil to give your potatoes the nutrients they need. If you're growing in containers, fill them with well-draining soil and compost to ensure your potatoes have plenty of room to grow.

3. Chitting Your Seed Potatoes

Before planting, "chit" your seed potatoes by allowing them to sprout. Place them in a cool, light spot for a few weeks before planting. This helps give the potatoes a head start and can speed up their growth once in the ground.

4. Planting Potatoes

Planting Depth: Dig trenches 4-6 inches deep. Place your seed potatoes in the trench, with the sprouts facing up. Space them 12-15 inches apart.

Hilling: As your potatoes grow, mound the soil up around the base of the plants to encourage more tuber production. Add more soil around the plants as they grow taller, leaving the top leaves exposed.

5. Watering and Mulching

Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially when they’re forming tubers. Water them regularly, but avoid soggy soil. Mulch around your plants with straw, leaves, or grass clippings to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Caring for Potatoes as They Grow

1. Fertilizing

Potatoes are moderate feeders, meaning they’ll benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced fertilizer that’s high in potassium to help boost tuber production. Too much nitrogen will encourage leafy growth at the expense of tubers, so be mindful of your fertilizing schedule.

2. Pest Control

Potatoes are susceptible to pests like aphids, flea beetles, and potato beetles. Hand-pick these pests or use organic methods like neem oil to control them. Crop rotation can also help prevent pest buildup.

3. Watch for Disease

Keep an eye out for signs of blight, which can spread rapidly in wet conditions. Remove infected leaves immediately and avoid watering from overhead to prevent water from splashing onto the leaves. Good air circulation is key to preventing fungal issues.

Harvesting Potatoes: When and How to Do It

The right time to harvest your potatoes depends on the type you’re growing.

Early-Season Potatoes: These varieties mature in 60-90 days. When the plants begin to yellow and die back, it’s time to harvest.

Late-Season Potatoes: These take longer, often 90-120 days. Wait until the vines die back completely before harvesting.

To harvest, gently dig around the base of the plant with a garden fork or shovel, being careful not to damage the tubers. Brush off any dirt, but don’t wash your potatoes until you're ready to use them. Allow them to cure for a few days in a cool, dark place before storing them.

Storing Potatoes for Long-Term Use

Potatoes can be stored for months if done properly. After harvesting, cure your potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. Once they’re cured, store them in a cool (40-50°F), dark place, such as a root cellar or a basement.

Avoid storing potatoes in plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and lead to rot. Instead, use burlap sacks, perforated plastic bags, or cardboard boxes for storage.

Sassy Prepper’s Tips for Growing Potatoes

➡ Grow in Containers: If space is tight, try growing potatoes in containers. You can use large pots, buckets, or even old tires to create a simple growing setup that saves room.

➡ Rotate Crops: To prevent diseases and pests, rotate your potato crops every year. Don’t plant potatoes in the same spot year after year.

➡ Watch for Sprouts: Potatoes tend to sprout early if stored in too-warm conditions. Keep them cool and dark to avoid premature sprouting, and you can plant these sprouted potatoes next season.

Why Potatoes Are Essential for Preppers

Potatoes provide a reliable source of calories, making them an invaluable addition to your prepper garden. They are nutrient-dense, easy to grow, and store well for months, making them the perfect crop for long-term survival situations. Whether you’re eating them fresh or storing them for winter, potatoes will help fuel your body and keep you healthy in any circumstance.

With a little care and attention, potatoes will thrive in your garden and give you plenty of food for your prepper pantry. Growing potatoes is one of the best ways to ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. So grab your spade and get planting – your survival garden won’t be complete without these versatile, delicious tubers.