How far apart do seed potatoes go?

Plant 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, with pieces 4 inches deep.

How much does one potato plant yield?

Expect roughly 2.5 lb of tubers per plant — about 5-8 medium potatoes.

When should potatoes be planted?

Direct plant seed pieces 2 weeks before last frost; they handle light ground frost well.

Potatoes: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates

Plant count & yield calculator

Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.

Bed length

Bed width

Crop

Enter bed size to count plants.

Seed starting dates

Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Potatoes with this frost date , direct sow ~Apr 1 .

Pick a last frost date for the schedule.

About potatoes

Potatoes produce more calories per square foot than almost any other garden crop, and home-grown varieties offer flavors and textures never found in supermarkets.

Spacing & yield

Potatoes wants 12×30 inches and about 2.5 lb per plant at ~90 days to maturity.

Growing tips

Cut seed potatoes into 2-oz chunks with at least 2 eyes each; let cuts heal overnight.
Hill soil 6 inches around stems twice during growth to increase tuber-bearing nodes.
Plant 2 weeks before last frost — potatoes tolerate light frost on foliage.
Grow in loose, well-drained soil; heavy wet clay promotes rot.

Common mistakes

Exposing tubers to sunlight during growth, causing toxic green skin.
Overwatering after vines die back, which rots mature tubers in the ground.
Skipping crop rotation and growing potatoes in the same bed two years running.

Harvest & storage

Dig new potatoes when flowers open, or wait until tops die back (about 90 days) for mature storage tubers.

Cure in a dark, humid spot for 10 days, then store at 38-45 F in the dark for 4-6 months.

Companion planting

Good neighbors for potatoes: beans, corn, cabbage, horseradish, marigold. Avoid planting beside: tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, sunflowers.

Planting calendar

Direct sow about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.

Frequently asked questions

How far apart do seed potatoes go?: Plant 12 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, with pieces 4 inches deep.
How much does one potato plant yield?: Expect roughly 2.5 lb of tubers per plant — about 5-8 medium potatoes.
When should potatoes be planted?: Direct plant seed pieces 2 weeks before last frost; they handle light ground frost well.