Step 1: Prep the Seed Potatoes

In late winter, place your seed potatoes in egg cartons or trays with the maximum number of buds (eyes) pointing upward. Stand the boxes in a cool, light place indoors for about six weeks to produce sturdy, dark sprouts (chitting).

Courtesy of DK - Vegetable Gardening © 2007 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Step 2: Plant the Tubers

When shoots reach about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, in early spring, mark a row in prepared soil. At 12-in (30-cm) intervals, dig holes about 4 in (10 cm) deep and plant a single tuber in each, with its shoots pointing upward (Image 1).

Tip for success: Potatoes do well in large pots (Image 2). Plant chitted tubers in a pot half-full of potting mix. When shoots emerge, add more mix to fill.

• • 

    Image 1

  • 

    Image 2

DK - Vegetable Gardening © 2007 Dorling Kindersley Limited

DK - Vegetable Gardening © 2007 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Step 3: Fill the Holes

Fill each hole with soil, rake over the row, and mark its position. A general-purpose fertilizer can also be applied at the specified rate on either side of the row at this stage, or it may be worked into the soil before planting.

Courtesy of DK - Vegetable Gardening © 2007 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Step 4: Earth Up the Plants

Tubers exposed to light will turn green, making them toxic and inedible. To avoid this, earth up the plants as they emerge by mounding soil around their stems to a height of around 6 in (15 cm).

Courtesy of DK - Vegetable Gardening © 2007 Dorling Kindersley Limited