Now, don't get me wrong, Maggie 'cause I ain't a seed potato-ologist (lol) but seed potatoes, as far as I know, are just ordinary taters that have been chosen because they do not exhibit any abnormalities that might indicate any kinds of viruses or deseases... And, no, they don't have to be sprouted... You can just cut them into quarters and stick them in the mounded soil and they will grow just fine... BTW, if you use my meathod of pulling up mounded rows, don't make the mistake of planting them too deep... 4 to 5 inches is about how deep I plant mine...
Now blooming, inspite of the cold: PJM Azaleas, a few Japonica azaeleas, pulminaria, bleeding heart, tooth wart, daffoldis and not much else...