First be sure you start with quality seed potatoes. We have many great varieties. Then you need to provide these conditions:

Potatoes do best in a loose soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH between 5 and 6. The only way know what needs to be added to your soil is to have it tested. You can use a home test kit or check with your extension office for a local testing lab. Adding lots of organic matter will contribute adequate nutrients to the plants.

Be sure to elevate plants well above any standing water. While potatoes like a consistent moisture level, they will become stressed if there is not adequate drainage. Adding plenty of organic material will help with this, as well.

Potatoes are cool-season plants and do best when the soil temp is in the mid- to lower sixties. Daytime temps in the upper 60s are favorable, but one of the big keys with potatoes is cool night temps. That affects the accumulation of carbohydrates in the tubers. With lower night temperatures, the plants’ respiration thru the tubers is slowed, allowing the greater storage of starches.

One other important factor is to be sure that no sunlight reaches the tubers as they are growing, so keep plenty of cover soil or compost handy to “hill-up” your mound. The exposure to sun during development causes a condition called greening. This will make the potatoes bitter and potentially toxic if the levels of glycoalkaloids become too elevated.

I hope this helps and that you have a great crop of potatoes this season.

Karen

says to soak it in water to get it to sprout.

I’m trying to have a little productive garden for my 9 year old girl to enjoy and look after herself.

Hope to hear from someone out there.

Best Regards,