How to Plant Potatoes

The humble potato, a staple in kitchens worldwide, holds a special place in our hearts and on our plates. Imagine the unparalleled satisfaction of digging into your own garden and unearthing a bounty of fresh, earthy potatoes – a testament to your efforts and a taste sensation far superior to anything store-bought. For us gardening enthusiasts in Bengaluru, where the climate often offers a generous window for cultivation, growing potatoes can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s not just about the delicious harvest; it’s about connecting with nature, understanding the rhythm of the seasons, and bringing wholesome, chemical-free food directly to your family’s table. Beyond the culinary delight, growing your own potatoes offers significant benefits. Economically, it reduces your grocery bill, especially when you consider the fluctuating prices of vegetables. Environmentally, you reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating transportation and packaging, and by choosing organic methods, you enrich your soil and support local biodiversity. Nutritionally, homegrown potatoes, harvested at their peak and consumed fresh, retain more vitamins and minerals compared to those that have traveled long distances and sat in storage. Moreover, the therapeutic act of gardening itself – feeling the soil, watching sprouts emerge, and nurturing plants – is a fantastic stress reliever and a wonderful way to introduce children to where their food truly comes from. Whether you have acres of land, a small backyard, or just a balcony in our bustling city, there’s a potato planting method suited for you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the perfect seed potato to harvesting your triumphant crop, ensuring your Bengaluru garden yields the most magnificent potatoes you’ve ever tasted. Get ready to transform your gardening dreams into a delicious reality!

Choosing the Right Potato Varieties and Preparing Seed Potatoes

Embarking on your potato planting journey begins with careful selection and preparation. The success of your crop hinges significantly on choosing appropriate varieties and ensuring your seed potatoes are ready for their new home. For gardeners in Bengaluru, understanding the local climate and growing conditions is crucial when making these choices. Our relatively mild winters and early summers can accommodate various types, but some are better suited than others.

Understanding Potato Types for Bengaluru

Potatoes are broadly categorized by their maturity period:

• Early-season (or ‘First Earlies’): These mature quickly, typically in 60-80 days. They produce smaller yields but are perfect for an early harvest and can often be planted in late monsoon/early winter (September-October) for a quick turnaround before the intense summer heat sets in. Examples suitable for India might include Kufri Chandramukhi or local early varieties.
• Mid-season (‘Second Earlies’): Taking about 80-100 days, these offer a larger yield than early varieties. They can be planted a bit later, perhaps October-November, and will mature before the peak of summer.
• Late-season (‘Maincrop’): These require 100-130+ days to mature and produce the largest yields, often with better storage qualities. Planting these in late monsoon (September) or early winter (October) allows them to fully develop before the heat becomes too much. Varieties like Kufri Jyoti or Kufri Sindhuri are popular maincrop choices in India. For more on choosing specific vegetable varieties for our climate, check out https://ecorganicas.org/shop/.

Consider your available growing season, desired harvest time, and storage needs when making your choice.

Selecting Certified Seed Potatoes

This is perhaps the most critical step. Always purchase certified seed potatoes from reputable nurseries or agricultural suppliers. Never use potatoes from the grocery store, as they are often treated with sprout inhibitors and can carry diseases that will contaminate your soil. Certified seed potatoes are disease-free and bred for optimal performance. Look for firms that specialize in organic seeds if you prefer to grow organically. In Bengaluru, local agricultural universities or specialized garden centers can be good sources.

Chitting Potatoes: Giving Them a Head Start

Chitting, or pre-sprouting, is the process of encouraging seed potatoes to sprout before planting. This gives them a significant head start, leading to earlier harvests and often higher yields.
To chit:

1. Place seed potatoes in an egg carton or shallow tray with the “rose” end (the end with the most “eyes” or indentations) facing upwards.
2. Keep them in a cool (around 10-15°C), bright, frost-free location for 2-4 weeks. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch them.
3. Healthy, sturdy, dark green or purple sprouts (chits) about 1-2 cm long will form. Avoid long, pale, spindly sprouts, which indicate too little light.

Cutting Seed Potatoes: Maximizing Your Stock

If your seed potatoes are large (larger than a hen’s egg), you can cut them to get more planting pieces. Each piece must have at least one, preferably two or three, strong chits/eyes.

1. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut large potatoes into pieces.
2. Each piece should be roughly the size of a golf ball or slightly larger.
3. After cutting, allow the pieces to “cure” for 2-3 days in a warm, humid, well-ventilated spot. This forms a protective layer (callus) over the cut surface, preventing rot once planted.

Do not cut small seed potatoes; plant them whole.

Site Selection and Soil Preparation for Optimal Growth

The foundation of a successful potato harvest lies in choosing the right location and meticulously preparing your soil. Potatoes are relatively forgiving, but providing them with their preferred environment will dramatically increase your yields and reduce the likelihood of problems. For Bengaluru gardeners, understanding our local soil types and climatic nuances is key to creating that ideal growing space.

Ideal Location: Sun, Space, and Drainage

Potatoes are sun-loving plants. They require a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce a good crop. Choose a spot in your garden that receives ample sun throughout the day.
Good drainage is paramount. Potatoes hate “wet feet” – standing water will quickly lead to rot and various fungal diseases. If your garden soil is heavy clay and tends to get waterlogged, consider planting in raised beds or containers. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal issues. Avoid planting potatoes in the same spot where you grew them the previous year, or where tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants (all in the same plant family) were grown, as this can perpetuate diseases. Crop rotation is an excellent practice for soil health. You can learn more about crop rotation benefits at https://ecorganicas.org/pill-bugs-in-garden/.

Soil pH and Composition: The Perfect Blend

Potatoes thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. If your soil pH is too high (alkaline), it can lead to potato scab, a common fungal disease. You can test your soil pH using a simple home kit or by sending a sample to a local agricultural lab.

https://ecorganicas.com/gardening-quiz-challenge/

The ideal soil for potatoes is loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. Heavy clay soils can be improved by incorporating generous amounts of compost, well-rotted cow dung, or coco-peat. Sandy soils benefit from organic matter to improve water retention and nutrient availability. For Bengaluru’s typically red loamy soils, incorporating compost is almost always beneficial.

To prepare your soil:

1. Clear the area: Remove all weeds, rocks, and debris.
2. Loosen the soil: Dig down to a depth of at least 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). This allows the tubers to develop freely.
3. Amend generously: Mix in a substantial amount of organic matter. For every 10 square feet, incorporate 2-3 inches of good quality compost, aged manure, or coco-peat. This improves soil structure, drainage, and fertility.
4. Adjust pH (if necessary): If your soil is too alkaline, you can lower the pH by adding elemental sulfur or sphagnum peat moss. If it’s too acidic, add agricultural lime. Follow product instructions carefully.

Raised Beds vs. In-Ground vs. Containers: Adapting to Your Space

Your choice of planting method will largely depend on your available space and soil conditions.

• In-Ground: Ideal if you have good garden soil and ample space. Allows for natural nutrient cycling and large yields.
• Raised Beds: Excellent for improving drainage and controlling soil quality. You can fill them with a custom blend of soil, compost, and coco-peat. They also warm up faster in spring.
• Containers/Grow Bags: Perfect for urban gardeners in Bengaluru with limited space, balconies, or patios. Large fabric grow bags (25-50 liters), sturdy plastic bins, or even old tyres can be used. These offer excellent drainage and make harvesting incredibly easy.

Regardless of the method, ensure the chosen location meets the sun and drainage requirements. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix blended with compost.

Planting Techniques: The Heart of Your Potato Patch

Once your seed potatoes are chitted and your soil is prepped, it’s time for the exciting part: getting them into the ground! There are several effective planting techniques, each with its own advantages, especially for diverse gardening setups like those found in Bengaluru. Choose the method that best suits your space, soil, and desired yield.

Traditional Trench Method: For Garden Beds

This is a classic method, great for in-ground gardens or large raised beds.

1. Dig a trench: Dig trenches about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. If planting multiple rows, space the trenches 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart to allow for hilling and good air circulation.
2. Add amendments: Spread a layer of compost or well-rotted manure (about 2 inches) at the bottom of the trench.
3. Place seed potatoes: Place your chitted seed potato pieces (sprouts facing up) about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart in the trench.
4. Cover lightly: Gently cover the seed potatoes with 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) of loose soil, leaving the rest of the trench unfilled for later hilling.
5. Water: Water thoroughly after planting.

Expect sprouts to emerge in 2-4 weeks, depending on the variety and soil temperature.

Hill Method: Simple and Effective

The hill method is quite popular for its simplicity and efficiency.

1. Prepare planting holes: Dig individual holes about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep and 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Space holes 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) apart, with rows 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) apart.
2. Place seed potatoes: Put one seed potato piece (sprouts up) in each hole.
3. Cover: Cover the potato with about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) of loose soil, forming a small mound or “hill” over the planting spot.
4. Water: Water well.

As the plant grows, you will continue to “hill” up more soil around the stem, which encourages more tubers to form along the buried stem.

Container Planting: Ideal for Urban Bengaluru Gardens

For those with limited space, containers or grow bags are excellent options.

1. Choose large containers: Use grow bags (25-50 liters), large terracotta pots, plastic bins, or even sturdy buckets with drainage holes. A 15-gallon (approximately 56-liter) container can comfortably hold 2-3 seed potatoes.
2. Add drainage layer: Place a layer of broken terracotta pieces or gravel at the bottom for extra drainage (optional but helpful).
3. Fill with soil: Add about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of a good quality, well-draining potting mix blended with compost.
4. Place seed potatoes: Place 1-3 seed potato pieces (depending on container size) on top of the soil, sprouts facing up.
5. Cover lightly: Cover with 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) of potting mix.
6. Water: Water thoroughly.

As the plant grows, you will progressively add more potting mix around the stem, similar to hilling in the ground. This method is particularly convenient for harvesting, as you can simply tip out the container. For more on container gardening, see https://ecorganicas.org/tag/aloe-vera-plant-stekken/.

Potato Towers/Cages: Maximizing Vertical Space

Potato towers, or cages, are an innovative way to grow a large number of potatoes in a very small footprint.

1. Construct the tower: Use chicken wire, hardware cloth, or wooden slats to create a cylindrical or square tower, about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in diameter and 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall. Line the inside with burlap or cardboard if using wire to prevent soil from washing out.
2. Start planting: Place a 6-inch (15 cm) layer of soil mix at the bottom. Place 3-4 seed potato pieces on top.
3. Cover and repeat: Cover the potatoes with another 6 inches of soil. As the plants grow, add more soil around the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. Continue this layering process until the tower is full.

This method aims to encourage tubers to form along the entire buried stem, potentially yielding a massive crop. Ensure consistent watering, as towers can dry out quickly.

Post-Planting Care: Nurturing Your Potato Plants

Planting your potatoes is just the first step; the subsequent care you provide will dictate the health of your plants and the size of your harvest. From consistent watering to vigilant pest control, nurturing your potato patch thoughtfully will lead to a bountiful yield. For gardeners in Bengaluru, adapting these practices to our specific weather patterns is essential.

Watering: The Lifeline of Your Potato Crop

Potatoes require consistent moisture, especially during flowering and tuber development. Irregular watering can lead to misshapen or cracked tubers.

• Consistency is key: Aim for deep watering 1-2 times a week, ensuring the soil is moist down to 6-8 inches. In Bengaluru’s drier spells, especially during the non-monsoon months, you might need to water more frequently.
• Avoid waterlogging: While potatoes like moisture, they absolutely hate soggy soil. Ensure good drainage to prevent rot. Raised beds and containers generally offer superior drainage.
• Early morning is best: Water in the early morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

Feel the soil moisture with your finger before watering. If the top inch or two is dry, it’s time to water.

Hilling/Earthing Up: The Secret to More Tubers

Hilling, also known as earthing up, is a crucial practice for potato cultivation. It involves mounding soil or compost around the base of the potato plant as it grows.

• Purpose: Hilling serves two main purposes. Firstly, it protects the developing tubers from sunlight, which can turn them green and toxic (solanine). Secondly, it encourages more tubers to form along the buried stem, increasing your yield.
• When and how: Start hilling when the plants are about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall. Gently draw soil up around the stems, leaving only the top few inches of foliage exposed. Repeat this process every 2-3 weeks, or each time the plants grow another 6-8 inches, until the plants begin to flower or the trench/container is full.

For container potatoes or grow bags, simply add more potting mix as the plants grow, leaving the top leaves exposed.

Fertilization: Fueling Healthy Growth

Potatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from a balanced supply of nutrients.

• Pre-planting: As discussed, incorporate plenty of compost and well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. This provides a slow-release source of nutrients.
• During growth: Once the plants are established and about a foot tall, you can side-dress them with more compost or a balanced organic fertilizer. A liquid feed of vermicompost leachate or diluted seaweed extract can also be beneficial during the growing season, especially around flowering time.
• Avoid excess nitrogen: While nitrogen promotes leafy growth, too much can lead to lush foliage at the expense of tuber development. Focus on phosphorus and potassium for tuber formation.

https://ecorganicas.com/gardening-quiz-challenge/

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any commercial fertilizers.

Pest and Disease Management: Vigilance is Key

Potatoes can be susceptible to various pests and diseases, particularly in humid conditions. Early detection and organic prevention are your best defense.

• Common Pests in India:
  • Potato Tuber Moth: Larvae tunnel into tubers. Practice deep planting and hilling. Pheromone traps can help monitor.
  • Aphids: Small sap-sucking insects. Blast them off with water, use neem oil spray, or encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
  • Leaf-eating caterpillars/beetles: Handpick larger pests.
• Common Diseases:
  • Early Blight (Alternaria solani): Causes dark spots with concentric rings on leaves. Remove infected leaves, ensure good air circulation, and use organic fungicides like Bordeaux mixture preventatively.
  • Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans): More severe, causing rapid blighting of leaves and stems, and tuber rot. Caused by humid conditions. Choose resistant varieties, ensure good spacing, and use organic copper-based sprays if necessary.
  • Scab: Causes rough, corky patches on tubers (more cosmetic than harmful, but affects appearance). Prevent by maintaining slightly acidic soil pH.

https://ecorganicas.com/gardening-quiz-challenge/

Inspect your plants regularly. Remove and destroy infected plant parts immediately. Good air circulation, proper spacing, and crop rotation are your most potent preventative measures.

Harvesting Your Bountiful Potato Crop and Storage

The moment of truth arrives after weeks of patient nurturing: harvest time! Digging up your homegrown potatoes is an incredibly satisfying experience. Knowing when and how to harvest, followed by proper curing and storage, will ensure you enjoy your delicious bounty for months to come.

When to Harvest: Reading the Signs

The timing of your potato harvest depends on the variety you planted (early, mid, or late season) and your desired size and use.

• New Potatoes (Early Harvest): If you crave tender “new potatoes,” you can start gently “robbing” a few tubers about 2-3 weeks after the plants have flowered, or when they are about 60-70 days old. Carefully reach into the soil near the base of the plant, feel for small tubers, and remove a few, leaving the rest to grow. This is best done with early and mid-season varieties.
• Main Crop (Full Maturity): For your main harvest, intended for storage, wait until the plant foliage begins to yellow, wither, and die back completely. This usually happens 2-3 weeks after the plant has finished flowering (for early/mid-season types) or 100-130+ days for late-season varieties. The dying foliage signals that the plant has directed all its energy into developing the tubers. Allow the foliage to die back completely for about 2 weeks before harvesting. This allows the potato skins to “set,” making them tougher and better for storage.

Harvesting during a dry spell is ideal, as moist soil can make tubers prone to rot.

Harvesting Techniques: Gentle Does It

Potatoes are surprisingly delicate when first dug up, so handle them with care to avoid bruising or piercing.

1. Choose a dry day: The soil should be relatively dry for easier digging and to prevent tubers from getting coated in mud.
2. Loosen the soil: Use a garden fork, spade, or even your hands. Start digging several inches away from the main stem to avoid piercing the tubers. Gently loosen the soil around the plant.
3. Lift the plant: Carefully lift the entire plant out of the ground. Many tubers will be attached to the roots, while others might be loose in the surrounding soil.
4. Search thoroughly: Sift through the loosened soil with your hands to find all the hidden treasures. Potatoes can be surprisingly far from the main stem.
5. For containers/grow bags: Simply tip out the entire contents onto a tarp or newspaper and sift through the soil. This is one of the biggest advantages of container growing!
6. Brush off excess soil: Gently brush off any large clumps of soil, but do not wash the potatoes at this stage, as moisture can encourage rot.

Curing Potatoes: Preparing for Long-Term Storage

Curing is a critical step for extending the shelf life of your harvested potatoes. It toughens their skins and heals any minor nicks or bruises.

1. Spread out: Lay your harvested potatoes in a single layer in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. An ideal temperature is around 10-15°C (50-60°F) with high humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, which will turn them green.
2. Monitor: During this period, the skins will thicken, and any minor damage will heal over.

Proper Storage: Enjoying Your Harvest for Months

After curing, your potatoes are ready for long-term storage.

• Conditions: Store cured potatoes in a cool (7-10°C or 45-50°F), dark, and well-ventilated place. Basements, cool garages, or even a dark corner of a pantry can work. Avoid temperatures above 15°C, which encourage sprouting, and temperatures below 4°C, which can convert starches to sugars, making potatoes sweet.
• Ventilation: Store them in burlap sacks, mesh bags, wooden crates, or cardboard boxes – anything that allows for good air circulation. Do not store them in sealed plastic bags, as this traps moisture and promotes rot.
• Check regularly: Periodically check your stored potatoes and remove any that show signs of spoilage (softness, mold, extensive sprouting) to prevent them from affecting others.
• Keep away from apples/onions: Ethylene gas released by ripening fruits like apples can cause potatoes to sprout prematurely. Store them separately.

With proper care, your homegrown potatoes can last for several months, providing you with fresh, organic goodness through the seasons.

Potato Planting Techniques & Products Comparison

Choosing the right method and supporting products can significantly impact your potato yield and ease of gardening. Here’s a comparison to help you decide what’s best for your Bengaluru garden.

Method/Product	Pros	Cons	Ideal For
In-Ground Trench/Hill	Large yields, natural soil benefits, good for extensive gardens.	Requires significant space, soil quality dependent, can be labor-intensive.	Gardeners with ample space and good native soil.
Raised Beds	Excellent drainage, controlled soil mix, warmer soil, less bending.	Initial setup cost, requires lumber/materials, can dry out faster.	Areas with poor native soil, gardeners preferring ergonomic access.
Fabric Grow Bags	Portable, excellent aeration & drainage, easy harvesting, reusable.	Dries out quickly (requires more frequent watering), smaller yields per bag.	Balcony/patio gardeners, beginners, those with limited space.
Potato Towers/Cages	Maximizes vertical space, potentially very high yield per footprint.	Requires regular “hilling” with soil, can dry out rapidly, initial construction.	Small gardens, experimental gardeners, maximizing yield in compact areas.
Organic Potato Fertilizer (e.g., bone meal, compost tea)	Enhances soil health, slow-release nutrients, eco-friendly.	May require more frequent application than synthetic, nutrient ratios vary.	Organic growers, long-term soil health enthusiasts.

Expert Tips for a Bumper Potato Harvest in Bengaluru

Here are some additional insights to help you achieve the best possible potato yield, tailored for our local conditions:

• Timely Planting: For Bengaluru, the ideal planting window is typically during the post-monsoon period (September to November) to allow for tuber development before the peak summer heat. A secondary crop can sometimes be attempted in late winter (January-February) for an early summer harvest, but may require more diligent watering.
• Mulch Heavily: Once your potato plants are established and after the first hilling, apply a thick layer (4-6 inches) of organic mulch like straw, dried leaves, or wood chips. This helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps the soil temperature consistent, which is crucial for tuber development in our fluctuating climate.
• Companion Planting: Plant beneficial companions near your potatoes. Marigolds can deter nematodes, while beans and peas can fix nitrogen, benefiting the heavy-feeding potatoes. Avoid planting near sunflowers or tomatoes, as they can compete for nutrients or share diseases.
• Regular Inspection for Pests: Be diligent about checking the undersides of leaves for pests like aphids or early signs of blight. Early detection means easier and more effective organic intervention. Neem oil spray is an excellent organic preventative and treatment for many common pests.
• Don’t Rush the Harvest: For main crop potatoes, resist the urge to harvest as soon as the foliage starts to yellow. Waiting until the tops are completely dead and allowing them to “set” in the ground for another two weeks significantly improves skin toughness and storage quality.
• Rotate Crops: Never plant potatoes (or other solanaceous crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants) in the same spot year after year. A 3-4 year rotation helps break pest and disease cycles and prevents nutrient depletion.
• Provide Adequate Spacing: While it’s tempting to cram more plants into a small space, adequate spacing ensures good air circulation, which is vital for preventing fungal diseases in Bengaluru’s often humid conditions. It also gives individual plants enough room to develop robust root systems and tubers.
• Save Your Own Seed Potatoes (with caution): If your crop was disease-free and vigorous, you *can* save some of your smaller, healthy potatoes for next year’s planting. However, be aware that disease can accumulate over generations, so it’s often safer to buy certified seed potatoes every few years.
• Consider Drought-Tolerant Varieties: If you’re concerned about water availability or simply want a more resilient crop, research potato varieties known for better drought tolerance, though consistent watering remains ideal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Planting Potatoes

How much space do I need to grow potatoes?

The space you need depends on your desired yield and chosen method. For in-ground planting, a 10×10 foot (3×3 meter) patch can yield a good harvest for a small family. However, even a 15-gallon (approx. 56-liter) grow bag can yield 5-10 potatoes from a single seed potato. Potato towers can also maximize yield in a minimal footprint. So, whether you have a large garden or just a balcony, you can find a suitable method.

Can I grow potatoes from store-bought potatoes?

While technically possible, it’s strongly discouraged. Store-bought potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors and, more importantly, can carry diseases that will contaminate your soil and potentially spread to other plants. Always use certified seed potatoes from a reputable supplier, as they are guaranteed disease-free and bred for optimal growth.

What are “green potatoes” and are they safe to eat?

Green potatoes are those that have been exposed to sunlight, causing them to produce chlorophyll (which makes them green) and a natural toxin called solanine. Solanine can cause digestive upset, headaches, and in large quantities, more serious issues. Small green spots can be peeled off, but if a potato is largely green or tastes bitter, it’s best to discard it. Hilling/earthing up is crucial to prevent this by keeping tubers covered with soil.

How often should I water my potato plants in Bengaluru?

During the growing season, especially when flowers appear and tubers are developing, potatoes need consistent moisture. In Bengaluru’s climate, this usually means deep watering 1-2 times a week, possibly more during dry, hot spells. Always check the soil moisture first; if the top 2-3 inches are dry, it’s time to water. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot.

My potato plants are flowering, but no potatoes yet. Is this normal?

Yes, this is perfectly normal! Potato plants typically flower before they start forming significant tubers. The flowers are an indication that the plant is healthy and redirecting its energy towards reproduction. Tuber development usually begins shortly after flowering. Resist the urge to harvest too early if you’re aiming for a main crop; wait until the foliage starts to yellow and die back for the best yield and storage quality.

What if my potato plants get pests or diseases?

Vigilance is key. Regularly inspect your plants for early signs of pests (like aphids or caterpillars) or diseases (like blight spots). For pests, handpicking, strong water sprays, or organic neem oil are often effective. For diseases, ensure good air circulation, remove infected parts immediately, and consider preventative organic fungicides like Bordeaux mixture. Crop rotation is also crucial to prevent soil-borne diseases from building up.

There you have it – a comprehensive guide to growing your own potatoes right