Last updated on September 1st, 2020
A big potato crop from a ridiculously small space? YES! In the following video tutorial, I’ll show you how to achieve a colossal harvest of spuds from one 8×4 raised bed:
Just to recap:
Start with certified organic, disease-free “seed” potatoes. Seed potatoes are spuds which have not been treated with sprout retardant (or any other chemicals).
Only small, egg-size potatoes should be planted whole. Cut large potatoes into pieces, with 2 or 3 eyes per piece. (“Eyes” are the points from which sprouts grow.) To mitigate rot, permit the cuts to dry, or “callous” for 24-48 hours before planting out.
Use a garden fork to loosen the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches. Also, work into the soil a high-quality organic fertilizer. I use Espoma’s “Plant Tone” for all of my veggie crops.
For each row of seed potatoes, dig a trench to a depth of 6-8 inches.
Plant the potatoes, spacing them 12 inches apart on all sides.
And that’s it! In the comments field below, let me know if this potato-growing tutorial was helpful to you in some teeny-tiny way. There are lots of other ways to grow potatoes, but in my experience, the old-fashioned trench method is the best method of all.
While wondering if you should have your hair colored, cover the potatoes with about 2 inches of soil. Save the remaining soil for “hilling” the potatoes as described in the video. And remember to add additional soil or mulch (i.e., straw, dried pine needles, or shredded leaves) as the vines grow.
Oh. Wanna watch me hill my potato bed? Click the “play” arrow above.
Wanna see the results of my potato planting and hilling extravaganza? Hit the play arrow above!
xKevin
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Linda K says
Good morning Kevin.
Your instructions on potatoes was Very helpful. I just purchaseded my potatoes and always wonder how deep i am supposed to plant them
I used raised boxes last year and didnt get many.
Love the hair .
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Linda – Glad the video was helpful to you. I’ve tried many different potato-growing methods over the years. The trench method tops ’em all!
Belinda says
Kevin, You are teacher of the Year. Thank you for this tutorial, most especially for the suggestions of varieties that store well.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Belinda – You are too kind. Thanks for watching the video!
AnnieW says
Once again, your instructions are very helpful and clear. Thank you!
Have you done an instruction video on growing strawberries? I need some help with my little strawberry bed.
Elizabeth Hess says
Love the potato video. I’ve never tried them before. What’s the name of the fertilizer that you mix in? And can you use it on veggies too?
Betsy
Branka says
I’m not sure how do you get the small baby potatoes. Can you get some small ones and then let others continue to grow. How does all that work. I love baby potatoes on the grill. Even if it would mean sacrificing a few plants a bit earlier.
Susan Metzger says
Hi Kevin,
I really enjoy your website, thanks!
My question is about growing potatoes. What you showed was very clear. Could you also show us how you mound up the soil as the potatoes grow, that is, what the mounds would look like? Also, wouldn’t you need to add extra support in the form of additional planks on the side of the beds?
Finally, my understanding is that it advisable not to grow potatoes in the same spot year after year. Do you rotate growing potatoes across the beds? If so, how much distance between planting sites is advisable?
Thanks in advance,
Susan
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Annie W – Back in 2009 (ten years ago!) I wrote a strawberry-planting tutorial. Click here to read it.
Hi Betsy – I use Espoma’s organic “Plant Tone.” It’s terrific for all veggies.
Hi Branka – After the vines have flowered, you can reach into the soil and harvest some baby potatoes. Picking these will not harm the plant.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Susan – I’ll do a follow-up video to show the hilling procedure. Several years ago, when I tried growing potatoes under straw, I did build a frame to hold all of the straw in place. No frame or support should be necessary when the seed potatoes are planted in trenches. As you mentioned, it’s a good idea to rotate the potato crop. I plant my potatoes in a different bed each year.
Lee George says
Hi Kevin, great tutorial on potato growing – thank you. I’m going to add a bed of them this year since you made it look so easy… I really appreciate your lessons! 🙂
Lori says
Hi Kevin,
Even as a seasoned gardener, I learned that I’m using too small of pieces. I used to cut one set of eyes and maybe that’s why I end up with ginormous potatoes that hollow out in the center unless there’s another reason for it?
I get an over abundance of potatoes, so I’m able to use my own crop for the following year of planting. I’ve learned that most critters won’t bother potato plants but gophers on the other hand can eat your whole crop.
I’m curious to know what sort of mulch you use on the outside of your bed? Wood chips or is it your leaf mold? And have you ever used your leaf mold over tour potatoes?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Lee – Thanks for watching the video. Good luck with your potato crop!
Hi Lori – In my experience, soil is the best potato-hilling material, followed by shredded leaves or chopped straw. To answer your other question, the paths in the kitchen garden are “paved” with small-grade wood chips. The material is pleasant to walk on!
Linda Karosic says
Love potatoes! Enjoyed your video! I am afraid of raised beds because there is always a snake lurking under the lumber. Eewwww. I am going to go steam some big fat baking potatoes and cover them with scallions, chopped broccoli, califlower, butter and maybe garlic and xtra sharp cheddar! YumYum 🙂 a friend tried growing potatoes in a big dark garbage bag and came face to face with what looked like a salamander, but could easily have been a tiny Godzilla.
Heather Prickett says
Hi Kevin. Love your website, your house, your garden, your commentary and your hair!! Thank you so much for your generous and exhuberant instruction. Coming all the way from Australia I figure all I have to do is turn your words upside down to suit our seasons!! Will try Aussie potatoes in your planting style round October/November. Thanks for the joy Heather
Amy Dolego says
Ugh…I wish I waited until this morning to cut my French fingerling potatoes, after watching your video. Last night I cut them, only leaving 1 eye on each piece, and I fear the pieces are too small. What do you think? They are healing over right now. I’ve never grown potatoes before.
Also, how much sun do you get in your space. I have a couple of places to choose that are close enough to water, but none get full sun all day. I’m also going to have to pull out some rocks. Being in CT on the north side of the Merritt Tpk, rocks are the bane of my existence.
Susan I McRae says
in the video you say to plant the cut potatoes “cut side down” but it appears you placed the first one cut side up.
Kara says
Love, love, love your gardening pieces. And the recipes.
I always look forward to getting your blog in the mail.
Thank you!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nancy says
Just wondering how big a crop you would predict from this size space.
Elisa says
Hi Kevin! I started my potatoes in the house and vines are now approximately 12-36” in length. I have been hilling them. Can I plant them outside now (I live in Ulster County)?
Lane says
Very helpful ~ I tried in a barrel, just ended up with baby potatoes. I’ll give this a try, thank you!
james c citizen says
Thanks Kevin your information was very helpful
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Amy – Your “one-eyed” fingerling potato pieces might work out just fine. Sunlight: potatoes perform best in all-day sunshine. My kitchen garden is located in direct blazing sun.
Hi Susan – As fate would have it, the first potato I pulled from the bag was cut on both sides (it was taken from the middle of the Kennebec I demonstrated in the video). So cut-side-down where applicable. If cut on both sides, just…plant.
Hi Elisa – How’d you hill your potatoes inside the house? In any event, here in the Northeast, potatoes are usually planted out in early May.
Amy says
Thanks for the reply, Kevin! The video was very helpful. 🙂
Julie R says
While watching the potato planting video, I thought you said to plant potatoes cut side down, but then it looked like they were planted cut side up. So I was just wondering does it matter which direction they get planted ? Also, can you grow potatoes in pots and if so, how large should the pot be ? I liked seeing Mr Potato Head make an appearance = )
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Julie – Yes, plant cut-side-down. The potato demonstrated in the video was the center piece of the Kennebec that I’d cut into thirds, so no skin on the thing. There are lots of ways to plant potatoes, including in bags and in pots. For a substantial harvest, however, the tubers should be planted in the open ground, or in raised beds.
Linda A says
I learned a lot, Kevin.
Terrific instruction for a newbie potato grower like myself!
Julie R says
Kevin, Thanks for answering my questions. Happy gardening = )
lise says
hi Kevin, I have grown potatoes before, but always seem to get potato beetles on them? do you know what I can do to deter them from the potato?
by the way that is a great video, and tutorial on potato planting!
Kelly A Sabini says
Thank you for the video, Kevin! From my questions, you’ll be able to tell that I have never planted potatoes before.
1. How do you know when to add more soil to the hill? What is it exactly that you are covering?
2. What part of the plant is exposed to the sun above ground, if any?
3. How do you know when to harvest? What is the growing cycle?
4. What is the latest i can plant potatoes for a fall harvest?
5. Can I co-plant any other vegetable with potatoes to maximize the space in my raised bed?
Thank you, Kelly.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Kelly – I’ll post an update as the potatoes grow. Meantime, to learn more about hilling and harvesting, please read my post from 2010: How to Plant, Grow, Harvest and Store Potatoes.
Kelly A Sabini says
Perfect. Thanks. Kelly
Cindi McMurray says
Kevin,
You read my mind again. Now i know how to plant potatoes and I decided to go ahead and color my hair. Away, Silver!
Thanks for the inspiration. You rock!
Cindi
AJ says
This was so helpful! thank you
Lynne Parzini says
But My Dear Kevin!
Does your end verse mean that an angel’s wing is amputated if we fail to post? Maybe just a few feathers plucked? As your loyal but formerly un-posting admirer, I’m worried to near distraction.
Carol says
Good morning, Kevin. I absolutely love your sense of humour. I could just hear you commenting about deciding whether to colour or not, right in the middle of your sentence. Thanks for the chuckle
Rene' Maloney says
Another great video Kevin – thank you once again for sharing your knowledge and your sense of humor. 😉
gloria says
Okay Kevin- Based on your video instructions I am going to try again- When I have planted potatoes before-Nada! Lots of greenery, no spuds.
So- Once more I will follow your instuctions exactly and let you know in a few months what the outcome is- I hope a basketful of taters!
patrice caden says
Thanks Kevin, very helpful. I haven’t had alot of luck with my planter box due to insect infestations. However, this year, I’m replacing the soil and, fingers crossed, my potatoes will grow. take care
Justine says
I live in Victoria BC (zone 8) and four years ago I planted heirloom fingerlings (given to me by my 90- year old gentleman farmer friend from down the road) in some raised boxes. Fast forward to this spring and I still see little potato plants starting to sprout in between last year’s parsley (please, no judgement on my, a-hem, end-of-season ‘clean up’!). I haven’t seen blight here and wonder if I can let the potatoes grow or if I should be painstaking in thoroughly removing the tiny tubers so that the job I should have done a three and half years ago is finally done. There is no rhyme or reason to their placement in the box anymore. Thank you!! As this is 2020, hope you quarantine is meaning your garden will be especially exuberant this year. #silverlining
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Justine – Don’t feel bad. I’m STILL doing autumn clean-up here! As a general rule, I always pull out and discard “stray” or forgotten potatoes that sprout in spring. Not that you have to, if no fear of blight!
Maria Brunner says
Dear Kevin! Thank you for the helpful advice , the wonderful recipes, the love to life. Stay healthy! Many greetings from Austria (Europe :))
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Maria – My pleasure. Stay safe and well!
Shirl says
When should you plant potatoes and when should you ding up potatoes
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Shirl – Plant in spring, once the ground can be worked. This means April or May where I live (zone 5-b, New York’s Hudson Valley). Harvest any time after the vines die back.
Tammy says
Hey Kevin, my raised beds are about the same size as yours. They are in our back yard, so we put that black weed paper stuff down before we filled it with dirt, To help keep the grass out. So will the potatoes be able to grow in say 8” of soil? Because then they’ll be hitting the black weed stuff. What do you think? Thank you.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Tammy – Eight inches of soil should be adequate, providing your hill the crop. I just added my “hilling how-to” video to the above post, as well my harvest video. Please watch when you have time.
jackie serba says
Love the potato video. I have never tried to grow them but you make me want to. I don’t now how I would store them as I don’t have a basement or a garage, any ideas of how else to store them?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jackie – Potatoes can be blanched and frozen for storage, or canned. If you just want to try your hand at growing some spuds, I’d plant only 6 “seed” potatoes. This way you won’t be overwhelmed at harvest time!
Linda A says
Hi Kevin, I’ve never grown potatoes but I’m intrigued by your instructions.
Do they really taste better than store-bought?
Ann says
I guess I missed some potatoes in the harvest in my raised beds in the fall. Now I have some new plants starting. Should I let them go and harvest again when they are ready? Thanks! Love your posts!