Grow Potatoes Above Ground: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Growing Potatoes Above Ground: A Beginner’s Guide

Potatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be grown in a variety of ways. One increasingly popular method is growing potatoes above ground. This method offers several advantages over traditional underground potato growing, including reduced damage to the potatoes at harvest time and the ability to grow potatoes in areas with poor soil or limited space.

Benefits of Growing Potatoes Above Ground

• Reduced damage to potatoes: When potatoes are grown underground, they are often damaged during harvesting. This can lead to bruising, cuts, and other injuries that can make the potatoes more susceptible to disease and spoilage. Growing potatoes above ground eliminates this problem, as the potatoes are not subjected to the same level of physical stress during harvest.
• Improved soil quality: Growing potatoes above ground can actually improve the quality of your soil. The mulch that is used to cover the potatoes helps to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add organic matter to the soil. Over time, this can lead to healthier soil that is more conducive to growing a variety of plants.
• Easier to harvest: Harvesting potatoes that are grown above ground is much easier than harvesting potatoes that are grown underground. With above-ground potatoes, you simply need to remove the mulch and dig up the potatoes. There is no need to dig deep into the soil or worry about damaging the potatoes.
• Can be grown in a variety of locations: Potatoes can be grown above ground in a variety of locations, including raised beds, containers, and even towers. This makes it possible to grow potatoes even in areas with poor soil or limited space.

How to Grow Potatoes Above Ground

There are two main methods for growing potatoes above ground: in a raised bed or in a tower.

Growing Potatoes in a Raised Bed

To grow potatoes in a raised bed, you will need to:

1. Build a raised bed that is at least 12 inches deep and 3 feet wide.
2. Fill the raised bed with a mixture of soil and compost.
3. Plant the seed potatoes in the raised bed, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
4. Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of mulch, such as straw or hay.
5. Water the potatoes regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
6. Harvest the potatoes when they are mature, usually about 100 days after planting.

Growing Potatoes in a Tower

To grow potatoes in a tower, you will need to:

1. Construct a tower out of chicken wire or other sturdy material. The tower should be about 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet tall.
2. Fill the bottom of the tower with a layer of straw or hay.
3. Plant the seed potatoes in the tower, spacing them about 6 inches apart.
4. Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of mulch, such as straw or hay.
5. Water the potatoes regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
6. As the potatoes grow, add additional layers of mulch to the tower.
7. Harvest the potatoes when they are mature, usually about 100 days after planting.

Tips for Growing Potatoes Above Ground

• Use certified disease-free seed potatoes.
• Plant the potatoes in well-drained soil.
• Water the potatoes regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
• Mulch the potatoes to help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add organic matter to the soil.
• Fertilize the potatoes every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Harvest the potatoes when they are mature, usually about 100 days after planting.

By following these tips, you can grow healthy and delicious potatoes above ground.