The row method (classic and economical):
Dig shallow, straight trenches 60 cm to 1 m apart in well-prepared soil. Plant seed potatoes 30 cm apart, covering them with about 8 cm of soil. Hill up the soil between rows when the seedlings are 10 to 12 inches tall. This time-tested and cost-effective traditional method is simple and practical for large plantings. However, soil quality can affect yield, making it less suitable for loosely compacted soils or those with low organic matter.
The straw mulching method (less digging):
Place seed potatoes on the prepared soil surface, covering them with 8 to 10 cm of loose, seedless straw. Continue to mound straw around the stems as they grow. This method retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and facilitates effortless harvesting without digging. However, this can result in a lower yield than the mounded row method, and field mice can be a threat.
The raised bed method (higher yield):
Loosen the soil in a half-filled raised bed, placing seed potatoes about 30 cm apart in all directions. Add more soil as the potatoes grow, eventually filling the bed. This method produced the largest harvest in trials, yielding uniformly large potatoes. Ideal for heavy, poorly drained soils, but requires a significant amount of soil to fill the bed.
