Seed potato helper: pieces, pounds, and row length
Convert seed potato pounds or piece counts into row feet and plant counts. Uses University of Minnesota spacing and cutting steps, plus the 1 pound per 10 feet estimate from Mississippi State and Kansas State Extension.
The numbers
University of Minnesota Extension says to plant seed pieces 10 to 12 inches apart and 3 to 5 inches deep, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Mississippi State and Kansas State Extension plan on about 1 pound of seed potatoes for every 10 feet of row. Kansas State reports about 8 to 10 pieces per pound after cutting.
Cutting and planting
- Cut pieces about 1 1/4 inches with at least one eye, then cure a few days at 60 to 70 F (UMN).
- Buy certified seed potatoes, not grocery potatoes (UMN).
- Hill when shoots are about a foot tall. Dig new potatoes about 7 to 8 weeks after planting (UMN).