Plant Potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day for a Lucky Harvest

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For generations, gardeners have followed the tradition of planting potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. While this date isn’t a strict rule, it serves as a great reminder to start your potato crop as spring approaches. Plus, planting on this special day is said to bring good luck and a bountiful harvest!

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, here’s why this tradition makes sense—and how you can grow your best (and luckiest) potatoes yet!

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The Lucky Tradition of Planting Potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day

Potatoes and Ireland have a long history, making this tradition a natural fit. Though potatoes originated in South America, they became a staple crop in Ireland by the late 16th century. Irish immigrants brought their love for potatoes to the U.S., where planting on St. Patrick’s Day became a gardening milestone.

Some even believe that planting potatoes on this Irish holiday brings good fortune—just like finding a four-leaf clover or wearing green!

Why Plant Potatoes in Mid-March?

Planting potatoes in mid-March works well in many climates, especially in zones 6-8, where soil temperatures start to warm up but remain cool enough for tubers to establish. Here’s why this timing is ideal:

• Cool Soil, Happy Tubers: Potatoes grow best in soil temperatures between 45-55°F (7-13°C). Early planting allows them to develop strong roots before the heat of summer.
• Avoiding Late Frost Risks: While potato plants can handle light frosts, planting early ensures they get a head start before the risk of deep freezes fades.
• A Little Irish Luck: Many gardeners swear that planting on St. Patrick’s Day leads to a strong, healthy crop—maybe it’s the luck of the Irish!
• Longer Growing Season: The earlier you plant, the longer your potatoes have to mature—leading to bigger and better yields.

How to Plant Potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day

Choose the Right Potatoes

Select seed potatoes (not store-bought potatoes, which may be treated to prevent sprouting). Look for varieties like Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, or Kennebec (my personal favorite).

Prep Your Seed Potatoes

A few days before planting:

• Cut large seed potatoes into chunks, each with at least one or two “eyes” (sprouting points).
• Let the cut pieces dry for 24-48 hours to prevent rotting in the soil.
• Luck Tip: Some gardeners say that blessing your seed potatoes before planting—by saying a little wish for a good harvest—brings even better results!

Prepare Your Soil

• For in-ground:
  • Pick a sunny location with well-draining soil.
  • Loosen the soil about 6-8 inches deep and mix in compost or aged manure for nutrients.
• For grow bags:
  • Choose bags that are tall and deep. This year I’m going with these 20 GALLON GROW BAGS.

Planting the Potatoes

• For in-ground planting:
  • Dig a 4-inch-deep trench and space potato pieces 12 inches apart with the eyes facing up.
  • Cover with 2-3 inches of soil (you’ll add more soil as they grow).
• For grow bags:
  • add 4-6 inches of soil to the bottom of the bag.
  • Mix in a handful of quality fertilizer into the soil.
  • Space potato pieces 6 inches apart with eyes facing up.
  • Cover with 2-3 inches of soil (you’ll add more soil as they grow).

Water & Mulch

• For in-ground planting:
  • Water lightly to moisten the soil (not soak it).
  • As plants grow, hill up soil or mulch around them to protect developing tubers from sunlight (which turns them green and toxic).
• For grow bags:
  • Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering. Grow bags dry out faster than garden beds, so check frequently.
  • Place the bag in a sunny spot (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day).

Caring for Your Lucky Potato Crop

• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks for strong growth.
• Hilling: Continue adding soil or mulch around stems as plants grow to encourage more tubers.
• Pest Control: Watch for Colorado potato beetles—hand-pick them off plants if needed.
• Luck Tip: Some say that planting a shamrock nearby or leaving a small St. Patrick’s Day token (like a coin) in your garden can bless your crop with an extra boost!

When to Harvest Potatoes

• New potatoes can be harvested in about 60-70 days when plants start flowering.
• Full-sized potatoes are ready in 90-120 days, when foliage turns yellow and dies back.
• To harvest grow bags, simply tip the grow bag over and collect your potatoes!

Bonus Tips for a Bigger Harvest Using Grow Bags

• Don’t Overcrowd: Stick to 3-5 potatoes per 10-gallon bag for the best yield.
• Use Fabric Bags: They allow better airflow and prevent overheating.
• Mulch Helps: Adding straw on top retains moisture and keeps potatoes cool.
• Keep Moisture Consistent: Uneven watering can cause cracked or misshapen tubers.

Planting potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day is a fun tradition, a great way to start your gardening season, and—if you believe in a little luck—could even lead to an abundant harvest. Even if your climate isn’t quite ready for planting, you can still prepare by sprouting seed potatoes indoors or getting your garden beds ready.

So, grab your gardening gloves, embrace the luck of the Irish, and plant some potatoes this St. Patrick’s Day! Who knows? You might just strike gardening gold!

Are you planting potatoes this St. Patrick’s Day? Let me know in the comments!