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 </figure>You might not have a pot of gold, but you can enjoy a pot of delicious potatoes this summer if you plant your potatoes in March.&nbsp; This week is St. Patrick’s Day and a traditional time when many gardeners plant their potatoes.&nbsp; Any time from mid-March to late-March is a great time for planting.To plant potatoes you won’t want to use those you buy from the grocery store for cooking.&nbsp; Instead you’ll want to purchase seed potatoes from a greenhouse or garden center. &nbsp; Seed potatoes are certified disease free and have plenty of starch to help them sprout quickly.&nbsp; &nbsp; Three or four days before planting you will want to cut your potatoes.&nbsp; The reason for this process is to toughen up and form a protective coating so the seed potato doesn’t rot when placed in the ground.&nbsp; Most seed potatoes can be cut into four pieces, and the goal is to have one or more eye sprouts in each piece.&nbsp;&nbsp;Next dig holes about 1 to 2 inches deep and place each potato piece flat side or cut side face down.&nbsp; Leave between 8 to 12 inches apart in rows. &nbsp; Then space rows about 3 feet apart.&nbsp; It will often be mid-to-late April before you see the plants poking their way through the soil.&nbsp; To encourage large yields and to prevent sunburning, pull the soil up to the base of the plants. &nbsp; Potatoes need regular watering especially when they are 6-12 inches tall.&nbsp; Harvest potatoes when vines are half dead. Typically within ten to fifteen weeks you enjoy some great tasting potatoes. &nbsp; To enjoy a fall harvest, plant another batch of seed potatoes in early to mid-July.Now’s also a great time to plant lettuce, radishes, peas, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage from seed.&nbsp; Onion sets should also be planted now.&nbsp; Onion sets are typically planted 1 to 1 and half inches deep about 2 to 4 inches apart with rows 15 inches apart.&nbsp; All these vegetables like cooler temperatures and should be planted now for optimum enjoyment.Master Gardeners of Ellis County, Cottonwood District.&nbsp; More information available at www. cottonwood.ksu.edu or visit Facebook at Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners.

From the Ellis County Master Gardeners: Pot of potatoes