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Store bought potatoes vs. seed potatoes #637810

Asked May 19, 2020, 11:00 AM EDT

How great is the risk to our vegetable garden is it, if we plant store-bought potatoes that have grown sprouts? I've heard there is some risk of introducing disease to your beds, if you do.

El Paso County Colorado

Expert Response

Thank you for your question about planting store-bought potatoes that have grown sprouts. I have for you, ‘Potatoes in the Home Garden-7617’.  It is best to buy certified seed each spring that has been inspected for diseases, store bought potatoes could have undesirable diseases.  I do not have any data about the risk percent from the use of store-bought potatoes.

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/potatoes-in-the-home-garden-7-617/

“Potatoes in the grocery store are typically treated with a sprout inhibitor and will not grow if planted in a garden. It is best to buy certified seed each spring that is inspected and within acceptable limits for diseases. Garden centers, reputable, garden catalogs, or your local CSU Extension Agent are all sources of certified seed.”

Diseases

“The best strategy to prevent potato diseases is to avoid conditions that favor disease development. This means maintaining soil moisture, checking regularly for unhealthy plants, and growing disease resistant varieties. Using certified seed prevents most soil borne diseases. Gardeners should check their potato plants regularly, and remove any that appear stunted, yellow, have shriveled leaves, or look different from the healthy potato plants. To avoid the spread of disease, these plants should be put in the garbage, not a compost pile. The most common potato disease gardeners encounter is powdery scab. Potatoes with this disease are still edible, but gardeners may choose to plant a variety more resistant to scab if it is a problem in their garden. Potatoes with red and yellow skin are more susceptible to scab than russet varieties. Rotating crops also helps interrupt the disease cycle and prevents nutrient depletion."
Barbara    Replied May 19, 2020, 12:27 PM EDT
Thank you for the quick reply!!
The Question Asker Replied May 19, 2020, 2:00 PM EDT
You are welcome!
Barbara    Replied May 19, 2020, 4:37 PM EDT

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