Planting Guide · March 2025 · 5 min read
Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow, but proper planting depth, spacing, and hilling practices make the difference between a modest harvest and an abundant one. Getting these fundamentals right sets the stage for healthy tuber development.
Cut seed potatoes into pieces roughly the size of an egg, ensuring each piece has at least two eyes. Allow the cut surfaces to cure for one to two days in a cool, dry location before planting to reduce the risk of rot. Certified seed stock is worth the investment to avoid introducing disease into your soil.
Plant seed pieces four inches deep with twelve inches between plants in rows spaced thirty to thirty-six inches apart. Planting too shallow exposes developing tubers to sunlight, causing greening and solanine buildup. In heavier soils, err on the shallower side and rely on hilling to add depth.
Hill soil around the base of the plants when they reach about eight inches tall, mounding four to six inches of loose soil against the stems. A second hilling two to three weeks later further protects tubers and encourages additional set. Harvest after the vines die back, digging carefully to avoid puncturing tubers.
🌱 Plan your planting dates with our free tool:
Try the Planting Calculator