To plant potatoes successfully, follow these steps:

Preparing to Plant

• Choose a sunny, well-drained location with fertile, loose soil. Potatoes need room for tubers to grow, so soil should be light and fluffy; raised beds are ideal if your soil is heavy clay

• Prepare the soil by removing weeds and stones, then dig or loosen it to about 30 cm deep. Mix in plenty of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil

• Plant potatoes after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 55°F (about 13°C), usually between late March and early May depending on your region and potato variety

Preparing Seed Potatoes

• Use certified seed potatoes, which are small potatoes or pieces with at least one sprout ("eye").
• Optionally, "chit" the seed potatoes by placing them in a cool, bright place to encourage sprouting before planting, especially for early varieties

Planting

• Dig trenches about 15 cm (6 inches) deep or individual holes about 10-15 cm deep.
• Place seed potatoes with sprouts facing upwards.
• Space seed potatoes about 30 cm (12 inches) apart in rows 60-75 cm (2-2.5 feet) apart, depending on the variety (earlies closer, maincrops wider)

• Cover with soil gently to avoid damaging sprouts, then water well

• For container planting, use large pots (at least 30 cm deep and wide), plant one seed potato per pot, cover with compost, and add more compost as shoots grow

Care During Growth

• When shoots reach about 20-23 cm (8-9 inches), mound soil around the stems ("earthing up") to protect tubers from light and frost damage; repeat as plants grow

• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and remove weeds regularly

• Fertilize if needed with organic or general-purpose fertilizer during soil preparation or early growth

Harvesting

• Early varieties can be harvested about 10 weeks after planting when plants flower.
• Maincrop potatoes take longer, about 3-4 months, and are ready when plants die back and leaves yellow

• Carefully dig up tubers and store in a cool, dark, dry place for curing before use

Following these guidelines will help you grow a healthy and productive potato crop