Potatoes in Compost?

I have a bunch of potatoes from the grocery store that have gone to seed - or are full of lots of eyes. Can those be planted? Can they be planted in the compost pile as that is where they will end up anyway? I just would not turn it anymore or add anymore to it. I have seen grubs in the pile before, would those be a problem?

Thanks for your help. I have heard of people who 'find' stuff growing in their compost and take it out to plant the 'mystery' plant. I think the compost is how I have a volunteer watermelon plant in a row of peppers!

The only thing I would be worried about is if the potatoes are diseased, so I would be worried about things like late blight.

Though take what I say with a grain of salt because my fears may be unfounded because I'm not an expert on these matters.

Quiltygirl, absolutely you can plant them. If they have lots of eyes, cut them in chunks, each with minimum 3 eyes, then let them dry out for several days before planting. In my mind, putting them in your compost pile falls into the 'what do you have to lose' category. Grubs may get some; may not. I'd suggest giving the pile a turn to loosen it then bury them about 6 inches deep and water in. Shouldn't take too long to find out if this experiment works. :)

QG, I agree with AnnieBelle, plant those store taters, they'll work just fine! I got 3 volunteer potatoes from last year's tater patch (guess I missed a few when harvesting), and 2 from the compost bin. All are doing fine after transplanting to permanent positions in the garden. I get compost volunteers of all sorts every year, mostly tomatoes and melons. It's a little benefit from not turning the compost like I should, lol.

Thanks. Since I will be leaving town soon for a week, I think I will wait till I return so my 'waterer in absence' won't have another thing to think about and water.

Every potato I've ever planted was a store bought one that got overlooked or unused until it started to have strong eyes. I've had moderate to very good luck using these....even though some folks will claim the store boughts have been irradiated to the point of being inable to procreate.

Now I'm not talking specialty potato here....if you want some wild purple spuds seed taters' is probably the way to go, but especially down here the red 'new' potatoes seem to do just fine.

For the first time I have a large brown/whitish skin that was planted about three/ almost four months ago. It actually flowered. The foliage seems to be doing well, and I'm of the mindset that so long as the top is growing I won't start digging.

So- making a short story long:

Go for it. And I think it would be safe to add on top of your compost pile even after the taters are in.