Potatoes from overwintering seed/tubers?

[sammyqc]

I don't know very much about growing potatoes except for the obvious, plant them and get more.

I had a small patch last year, and they did okay. This year, close to the same patch, there are what I swear look exactly like potato plants.
I didn't plant any there this year, and I don't remember seeing flowers last year so I doubt it would be from seeds. So, my question: can they overwinter outdoors in my zone 4? It would have to be from some tubers that I missed harvesting last fall, I suppose. But I didn't think potatoes would be hardy. Weird. I hate to dig them up just to check, as they are doing well and look really great so far.
Any thoughts?

[stratcat]

Hi Sammy.

In my Zone 5 they overwinter. Had one show up a year ago in my garden and my friend gets some in hers, as well.

Sounds like you have potatoes!

john

[canadamike]

They are overwintering potatoes left in the ground. I have tons all over. They have taken over my seeding onionpatch, which is ok, I will get a double crop. The earth did not freeze last winter,sohere they are, any little forgotten mini piece of tuber has sprouted.

Even when it freezes, there is usually a couple that do survive when you plant a lot.

[sammyqc]

Thanks, John and Michel, for the quick answer! I didn't think they'd survive the winter, but I guess with all the snow cover we got this year, it was a good one for them. I just thought it was weird, never seen that before, and I grow them every year.

I guess I do have potatoes! Now if I could remember what kind they might be!
Good thing I love those little garden ones, they are so delicious.

[stratcat]

You're welcome, Sammy. We never know what we're going to get.

Have fun!

john

[flowerpower]

I have taters coming up in some weird areas of the garden too. Sometimes when you dig them up, there are very small taters you miss. I'd rather see potatoes thatn weeds.

[winter unfazed]

I have found them too, coming up in the garden. I assumed they had come from peelings in the compost, but maybe they were from overwintering!