How big to potato eyes have to be before you can plant them?

Lynne Webb
by Lynne Webb
My non-GM potatoes have eyes. They've been in the refrigerator. I took them out last night. How long do I have to wait before they can be cut in half an planted? Wouldn't it be OK to go ahead and put them in good soil? Wouldn't they sprout better there, a la natural, and get a healthy start?
  8 answers
  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Jun 15, 2017

    once the eyes are about 1/4 to 1/2" long they can be viable. Cut the potatoes so there are 2-3 eyes on each set and plant. Looser soil works best, plant about 2-3" deep, water well.

    • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Jun 17, 2017

      I did just that and the soil I used is rather pricey but it's the best I've ever seen or worked with. Very large bag and, as you suggested, nothing weighty like bagged top soil.

  • Susan Susan on Jun 15, 2017

    You can plant them as soon as you notice the eyes starting

  • Bgoncalves5670 Bgoncalves5670 on Jun 15, 2017

    I'm not an expert on this but potatoes are pretty hardy . I think you should try a few and see how it goes, my bet is they will be fine and take off.

    • See 1 previous
    • Bgoncalves5670 Bgoncalves5670 on Jun 18, 2017

      So glad you did, best of luck.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 15, 2017

    I have heard of people planting them before the eyes are growing. I usually have a few that have already sprouted and use them, but all you can do is try. A lot of the ones I have seen packaged in the store for planting are not growing and the instructions don't say to wait until they start to grow.

  • Angela Cosner Angela Cosner on Jun 15, 2017

    The eyes just have to exist on the potato, they do not need to be big. As for waiting, I would do a minimum of 24 hours as its to create a "scab" on the raw edge.

  • Mary Jaimee Yucor Mary Jaimee Yucor on Jun 15, 2017

    Hi! Cut the potatoes into two, and just select at least 2 to 3 eyes which are healthy ones, pinch of the rest of it. Then you can start planting them on the ground. :)

  • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Jun 15, 2017

    Oh, thanks. I'll slice it, let it scab over and it's tater planting time in the morning.

  • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Jun 15, 2017

    One suggested I let it scab over before I plant. That's a mere 24 hours so it's planting time tomorrow. Thanks.