- 1). Prepare the potatoes a day ahead of time. Obtain certified seed potatoes -- don't plant potatoes from the grocery store, which may be treated with a substance that inhibits sprouting. Use small seed potatoes about the size of an egg, or cut larger potatoes into three or four pieces. Be sure each piece has at least one sprout, or "eye."
- 2). Set the potatoes aside overnight so the cut surfaces have time to dry.
- 3). Place 4 to 5 inches of straw in the bottom of a large cylindrical container, such as a plastic garbage can or plastic compost bin. If your container doesn't have bottom drainage, cut at least four to five small holes in the bottom of the container to allow water to drain.
- 4). Arrange the seed potatoes in a single layer on top of the straw. Cover the potatoes with another 4 to 5 inches of straw.
- 5). Add more straw when the potato sprouts reach about 8 inches in length. Leave just the top few leaves of each sprout sticking above the straw.
- 6). Add more straw to the container whenever the potato sprouts reach 6 to 8 inches in length. Continue the process of adding straw as the sprouts grow until you've filled the container nearly to the top. At that time, the potato sprouts will grow over the top of the container.
- 7). Water the straw as needed to keep it lightly moist at all times. Don't overwater, but don't allow the straw to become completely dry.
- 8). Reach into the container and harvest potatoes for use as needed, beginning in late summer. Dump the container and harvest the remainder of the potatoes after the potato plants dry up in autumn.