Chitting Potatoes: The Simple Trick for Bigger Harvests

If you're searching for "chit potato," you're likely looking for information about chitting potatoes—the gardening practice of pre-sprouting seed potatoes before planting. This simple technique boosts early growth, increases yields by up to 20%, and helps identify viable tubers. Proper chitting involves placing seed potatoes in a cool, light location for 2-6 weeks until sturdy 1-inch sprouts develop.

Why Chitting Potatoes Transforms Your Harvest (And How to Do It Right)

Many gardeners miss out on bigger, earlier potato harvests simply because they skip the chitting process. As someone who's documented traditional food cultivation methods across dozens of cultures, I've seen how this centuries-old technique remains one of the most effective—and simplest—ways to maximize your potato yield. Whether you're growing russets for baking or fingerlings for salads, proper chitting gives your crop the competitive edge it needs.

The Science Behind Successful Chitting

Chitting (sometimes mistakenly called "chit potato") isn't just old wives' tale—it's backed by agricultural science. When you expose seed potatoes to light and cool temperatures before planting, you trigger physiological changes that prepare them for rapid growth:

• Accelerated photosynthesis—Even before planting, developing sprouts begin producing chlorophyll
• Enhanced root development—Pre-sprouted potatoes establish root systems 7-10 days faster
• Reduced disease vulnerability—Stronger initial growth helps resist soil pathogens

According to research from the University of Minnesota Extension, properly chitted potatoes typically yield 15-20% more tubers than non-chitted counterparts, with harvests coming 1-2 weeks earlier.

When and How to Start Chitting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Timing is everything with chitting. Start too early and sprouts become leggy; too late and you lose the growth advantage. Follow this proven sequence:

Phase 1: Selection (4-6 Weeks Before Planting)

• Choose certified disease-free seed potatoes (never use grocery store potatoes)
• Look for firm tubers with multiple "eyes" (growth points)
• Store in a cool, dark place until ready to begin chitting

Phase 2: Chitting Setup (3-4 Weeks Before Planting)

Container Type	Best For	Avoid If
Egg cartons	Small batches, limited space	Moisture buildup in cardboard
Wire mesh trays	Maximum air circulation	Very dry environments
Shallow boxes with newspaper	Absorbing excess moisture	Humid climates

• Place potatoes with eyes facing up in single layer
• Store in cool (45-60°F/7-15°C), bright location (indirect light)
• Avoid direct sunlight which can cause greening

Phase 3: Monitoring (2-3 Weeks Before Planting)

Check potatoes twice weekly for proper sprout development:

• Ideal sprouts are 0.5-1 inch long and dark green
• Discard any potatoes showing mold or soft spots
• If sprouts become long and white, reduce temperature slightly

Avoid These 3 Common Chitting Mistakes

Even experienced gardeners make these critical errors that undermine chitting benefits:

1. Chitting in complete darkness—Without light, sprouts become long, weak, and pale. The Royal Horticultural Society confirms that light exposure produces stockier, more productive sprouts.
2. Planting sprouts that are too long—Sprouts longer than 1.5 inches often break during planting. If sprouts exceed this length, move potatoes to a slightly cooler location to slow growth.
3. Chitting at improper temperatures—Temperatures above 65°F (18°C) encourage weak growth, while below 40°F (4°C) can damage tubers. The USDA Agricultural Research Service identifies 50-55°F (10-13°C) as the optimal chitting temperature range.

What to Do After Chitting: Planting for Maximum Results

Chitting is just the beginning—proper planting technique determines your final harvest:

• Plant chitted potatoes with sprouts facing up in loose, well-drained soil
• Cover with 3-4 inches of soil (deeper in sandy soils)
• Hill soil around plants when they reach 6-8 inches tall
• Water consistently but avoid waterlogging

Gardeners in cooler climates particularly benefit from chitting, as noted in Cornell University's vegetable growing guide. The head start from chitting can mean the difference between a successful harvest and crop failure in short-season regions.

Chitting vs. Direct Planting: The Yield Comparison

A three-year study by Oregon State University compared chitted versus non-chitted potatoes across multiple varieties:

• Early varieties showed 22% higher yields with chitting
• Late varieties showed 14% higher yields
• Chitted potatoes matured 8-12 days earlier on average
• Storage quality remained identical between methods

This research confirms that chitting provides the most significant benefits for early-season varieties, making it essential for gardeners in northern climates with shorter growing seasons.

Special Considerations for Different Potato Types

Not all potatoes respond identically to chitting. Understanding these varietal differences improves your results:

• Early varieties (like 'Yukon Gold'): Benefit most from chitting—start 4-6 weeks before planting
• Late varieties (like 'Kennebec'): Still benefit but can be chitted for shorter periods (2-3 weeks)
• Fingerling potatoes: Require careful handling as their delicate sprouts break easily
• Sweet potatoes: Don't require chitting (they're grown from slips, not tubers)

For gardeners in warmer climates (zones 8+), the University of California Cooperative Extension recommends chitting for only 2 weeks to prevent premature growth that might suffer from late frosts.

When Chitting Isn't Necessary

While generally beneficial, chitting isn't always required:

• When planting very late in the season
• For potatoes grown in containers (the controlled environment reduces benefits)
• If using certified disease-free minitubers
• In extremely warm climates where early growth isn't a concern

The key is matching your technique to your specific growing conditions. As I've observed in traditional farming communities worldwide, the most successful gardeners adapt general principles to their local environment rather than following rigid rules.