How to Plant & Grow Potatoes in the Ground

Growing potatoes is straightforward with a little preparation. Follow these simple steps for a healthy crop.

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Step 1: Prepare the soil

Potatoes grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil.

  • Remove any weeds, especially perennial weeds.
  • Loosen the soil using a garden fork.
  • Mix in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost to improve soil quality and provide nutrients.

Step 2: Prepare your Seed Potatoes (Optional)

Before planting, you can prepare your seed potatoes to encourage strong growth.

  • If using larger seed potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces, making sure each piece has 2–3 eyes (growing buds).
  • Leave the cut pieces in a cool, dry place for 1–2 days so the cut surfaces dry and form a protective skin. This helps prevent rotting after planting.
  • For an earlier harvest, you can chit your potatoes by placing them in an egg carton or tray in a cool, bright, frost-free spot for 4–6 weeks before planting. Short, sturdy shoots will develop, giving the plants a head start.

Step 3:  Plant the potatoes

  • Dig a trench approximately 15 cm (6 inches) deep.
  • If planting more than one row, leave 60–75 cm (2–2½ feet) between rows.
  • Place each seed potato in the trench with the shoots or eyes facing upwards.

Spacing

  • Early varieties: Plant 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
  • Maincrop varieties: Plant 37–45 cm (15–18 inches) apart.

Cover the seed potatoes with 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) of loose soil, taking care not to damage any shoots.

Step 4:  Earth up the plants

When the shoots are around 20 cm (8 inches) tall, draw soil up around the stems to create a ridge or mound.

This process, known as earthing up, helps to:

  • Protect young plants from late spring frosts.
  • Prevent sunlight from reaching the developing potatoes.

Potatoes exposed to sunlight turn green and produce compounds that make them unsafe to eat.

Step 5:  Water and harvest

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season, especially during dry weather.

When to Harvest

  • First early potatoes are usually ready 8–10 weeks after planting, often when the plants begin to flower.
  • Maincrop potatoes typically take around 16 weeks to reach maturity.