How to Chit Potatoes
Growing potatoes couldn’t be more simple. But if you really want to ensure success, chit your seed potatoes before putting them in the ground. It’s easier than it sounds and could shave weeks off the time until harvest!
What is a chit?
A chit is the name for a potato’s sprouts. Chitting is the process of encouraging the sprouts to emerge from the potato’s eyes. Obviously the name leaves a lot to be desired, so annunciation is key. But I digress…
Why should you chit your potatoes?
While you don’t have to chit your potatoes, this step promotes healthy growth and gives your seed potatoes a solid head start. When potatoes sprout in a dark environment (such as underground), they’re more likely to form weak, pale shoots. If you want to geek out, this is called etiolation. In layman’s terms, the potato is prioritizing getting its stem up and out into the sunlight as quickly as possible, as opposed to investing its energy into developing a hardy stem and leaves that will produce chlorophyll. While a potato exhibiting etiolation can still be planted, the weak stem is at greater risk of breaking and may result in less robust growth.
Another important reason to chit your potatoes is to beat the weather. When it’s too cold (or too hot!) to plant potatoes, chitting allows you start the growing process inside. Thanks to chatting, even folks in challenging climates can enjoy a potato harvest in a shortened timeframe.
So, how do you chit a potato?
First, I recommend starting with seed potatoes. More on that and my favorite place to buy them here.
Next, grab an egg carton and cut off the lid. Seed trays also work well for this purpose! Then, grab a seed potato and place it in one of the compartments of your tray with one of its eyes facing up. You can choose the most prominent eye to face upward, or situate the potato to maximize exposure for a few.
If you’re chitting multiple varieties, now would be a good time to label who’s who in your container. (Unless you like surprises!)
Finally, place your tray on a windowsill that doesn’t get too hot, and let your seed potatoes hang out for approximately 4-6 weeks. During that time, you’ll start to see stocky green sprouts emerge. Once they reach about 2 centimeters in length, you’re ready to plant!
But what if I don’t have 4-6 weeks to wait?
Chitting for any amount of time is better than none! If you’re running the risk of missing the planting window, do whatever is feasible. I’ve chitted my potatoes for as little as a week or two and still had a decent crop.
Ready to get those potatoes in the ground? Check out the my potato planting guide.
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