How to Plant Potatoes for a Thriving Harvest
Potatoes are one of the most rewarding and easy crops to grow — if you set them up right from the start! In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know: from planting techniques to hilling, mulching, choosing the right potato variety for your zone, and deciding between chitting and planting whole. Let’s dig in!
Choosing the Right Potato for Your Growing Zone
Not all potatoes are created equal!
Before planting, select varieties suited to your climate and growing season:
Short-season varieties like 'Yukon Gold' or 'Red Norland' are perfect for cooler, shorter summers.
Mid-season varieties such as 'Kennebec' offer a great balance for moderate climates.
Late-season varieties like 'Russet Burbank' thrive in areas with longer, warm growing seasons.
Tip: Check your local extension office or trusted seed companies for the best regional recommendations!
Chitting vs. Planting Whole
You may hear the term "chitting" when prepping potatoes for planting. Here’s the difference:
Chitting is when you allow seed potatoes to sprout little green shoots before planting. This gives them a head start, especially in cooler climates.
Planting whole means putting the seed potato straight into the soil without pre-sprouting.
Which is better?
If you have a short season or cooler soil temps, chitting can speed up growth. If you’re in a warm zone with a long season, planting whole is just fine.
How to Plant Potatoes Step-by-Step
Prep the soil:
Choose a sunny spot with loose, well-draining soil. Work in compost to enrich it.Planting:
Dig a shallow trench about 4–6 inches deep.
Place your seed potatoes with the eyes (sprouts) facing up.
Space them about 12 inches apart.
Cover lightly:
Cover the potatoes with about 3 inches of soil to start.
Why Hilling Matters
As your potato plants grow, you’ll need to hill them — piling soil up around the base of the plant.
This does two important things:
Protects tubers from sunlight (which can turn them green and toxic).
Encourages more potato production by burying more stem, where new potatoes can form.
Hilling schedule:
Hill when plants are 6–8 inches tall.
Repeat every 2–3 weeks until the plants flower.
Mulching for Healthy, Low-Maintenance Plants
Mulch is your secret weapon for a lush potato patch!
After hilling, layer straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings around your plants. Mulching helps by:
Retaining soil moisture
Regulating temperature
Suppressing weeds
Protecting tubers from sun exposure
Bonus: Mulch also makes harvesting much easier at the end of the season!
Final Thoughts
Growing potatoes is deeply satisfying — from the first sprout to digging up golden treasures at harvest time. By choosing the right variety, preparing your seed potatoes thoughtfully, and mastering hilling and mulching, you'll be well on your way to an abundant potato harvest.
🌱 Happy planting!