How to Plant Potatoes in a Raised Bed

If you're looking to grow potatoes in your garden, raised beds can be a great option. Not only do they provide excellent drainage, but they also allow you to better control the soil quality and fertility. Here, we'll take you through the steps of planting potatoes in a raised bed.

1. Prepare Your Raised Bed

Before you get started, you'll need to prepare your raised bed. Make sure it's at least 6 inches deep, as potatoes need room to grow. Fill the bed with a good-quality soil mix that's rich in nutrients.

2. Planting Potatoes

Once your bed is ready, it's time to plant your potatoes. Begin by cutting your seed potatoes into pieces that are roughly the size of a golf ball. Make sure each piece has at least two or three "eyes" (small indentations).

Next, dig 6-inch-deep holes in the soil, spaced about a foot apart. Drop a seed potato piece into each hole, with the eyes facing up. Cover the potatoes with soil, and firm the soil gently with your hands.

3. Watering and Fertilizing

Newly planted potatoes require regular watering, especially during dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to rot. Once the plants have sprouted and reached about 6 inches tall, begin fertilizing them once a month with a balanced fertilizer.

4. Hilling

As your potato plants grow taller, they will start to "hill up," or form mounds around the base of the plant. This is a natural process, and it's important to maintain the hills as the plants grow.

About four weeks after planting, use a hoe or shovel to mound the soil around the base of each plant. This will protect the developing potatoes from sunlight, and provide them with the nutrients they need to grow.

5. Harvesting

About three months after planting, your potato plants should be ready for harvest. Carefully dig around the base of the plant with a garden fork, and gently lift the potatoes out of the soil.

Be sure to store your potatoes in a cool, dark place, as exposure to sunlight can cause them to turn green and become toxic.

In conclusion, growing potatoes in a raised bed is a great way to ensure that your plants have the right balance of nutrients, and that they're protected from the elements. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to harvest a bumper crop of tasty, nutritious potatoes in no time!