How to Grow Potatoes Guide 🥔

Growing Non-GMO Organic Purple Majesty Seed Potatoes

Chitting (pre-sprouting) seed potatoes by placing them in a cool, bright area for a couple of weeks before planting can give them a head start, especially in shorter growing seasons. If your seed potatoes are larger than a golf ball, cut them into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one or two "eyes" (sprout points). Allow these pieces to cure for a day or two in a cool, dry place for the cuts to scab over and reduce the risk of rotting. Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting to improve fertility. Plant the seed pieces into a 4-6 inch trench with a 3-4 inch soil covering, spacing them 12-15 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. Cover the seed potatoes with soil, gently firming it around them.

As the plants grow, practice "hilling" by mounding soil around the base of the plants when they reach about 6 inches in height. This encourages the development of more tubers and protects them from sunlight, which can cause greening and make them inedible. Repeat this process every few weeks as the plants continue to grow. Purple Majesty potatoes have an upright, mounding growth habit and do not require support, pruning, or pinching.

During the growing season, apply a balanced organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks, following the instructions on the label. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of tuber development. Regular watering is crucial, especially during tuber formation. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, aiming for about 1-2 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Mulching with straw or hay helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.

Purple Majesty Seed Potatoes in the Organic Vegetable Garden

Potato plants are used for utilitarian purposes in vegetable gardens. While their flowers are attractive, they are small and do not add much aesthetic value to the garden. Companion planting can enhance the growth of Purple Majesty potatoes. Planting them alongside beans, cabbage, or marigolds can help deter pests and improve soil health. However, avoid planting potatoes near tomatoes or eggplant, as they share common pests and diseases, which can increase the risk of infestations.

Harvesting Purple Majesty Organic Seed Potatoes

Harvesting the tubers should be done when the foliage begins to yellow and die back, usually around 85-115 days after planting. However, they can be harvested early for baby potatoes if desired. Loosen the soil surrounding the plants to make the tubers easier to remove. Carefully dig up the tubers to avoid damage, and cure them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry location, avoiding exposure to light, which can cause greening and bitterness.

About Organic Purple Majesty Seed Potatoes

Developed in Colorado, USA, through traditional breeding methods, Purple Majesty potatoes were introduced to the market to combine visual appeal with enhanced nutritional value.

They are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and contain more antioxidants than white or yellow potatoes. The anthocyanins responsible for their color are powerful antioxidants also found in blueberries and red cabbage. These compounds help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Incorporating Purple Majesty potatoes into your diet can offer several health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile. They are high in vitamins C and B6, potassium, and fiber. Additionally, they have a lower glycemic index compared to white potatoes, making them a better option for blood sugar control.

These double-certified seed potatoes can set up to 8 tubers per hill. They do not fade when soaked and make delicious french fried, potato chips, and mashed potatoes.

For those growing in warmer zones (above 6), consider planting these potatoes early in the season to allow them to have the cooler soil temperatures (60-70 F) that they like best.

Practice crop rotation and avoid planting potatoes in the same spot more than once every three years to reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I have found that potatoes like sandy soils best. It gives them the most room to grow large and spread out easily. Amend your soil with sandy before planting to give them the conditions they like!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Organic Purple Majesty Seed Potatoes Per Package:

• 2 lbs Seed Potatoes
• 5 lbs Seed Potatoes
• 10 lbs Seed Potatoes

Non-GMO Organic Purple Majesty Seed Potatoes are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.