How to plant potatoes (2026)
Quick Answer
Plant potatoes by starting with healthy seed potatoes, placing them in a sunny, well-drained bed or container, then covering them with soil and gradually earthing them up as the shoots grow. Keep the soil evenly moist, protect new growth from frost, and harvest once the plants have flowered or the tops die back, depending on whether you want new or storage potatoes.
Overview
Potatoes are one of the easier food crops to grow if you get the sequence right: choose suitable seed potatoes, prepare a fertile free-draining site, plant at the proper depth for your soil and growing method, then keep covering the stems with soil or compost as the plants grow. That repeated covering, often called earthing up, is one of the most important parts of the job because it helps support the plants, reduces weed competition and stops developing tubers being exposed to light, which can turn them green and unsuitable to eat. You can grow potatoes in open ground, raised beds or large containers. Open ground usually gives the biggest crop, while containers are useful where space is limited or soil is poor. The main signs that you are doing each stage correctly are practical and easy to spot: firm, disease-free seed potatoes at the start; crumbly soil that drains well and is not waterlogged; emerging shoots that stay covered as plants grow; steady leafy growth without long periods of drought; and tubers that are full-sized, with skins that firm up before storage. Timing varies by climate and variety, so use local gardening guidance and the supplier’s instructions for the exact planting window and expected harvest period in your area.
Who this is for
Home gardeners growing potatoes in a garden bed, raised bed or large container, whether for a first crop of new potatoes or a main crop for storage.
What you’ll need
- certified seed potatoes
- sunny growing space with well-drained soil or large containers
- garden fork or spade
- compost or well-rotted organic matter
- watering can or hose
- mulch or extra soil/compost for earthing up
- plant labels if growing more than one variety
Before you start
Check your planting season locally, because potatoes are damaged by hard frost and planting time varies with climate. Use certified seed potatoes rather than supermarket potatoes to reduce the risk of disease. Choose a site in full sun with good drainage, and avoid ground where potatoes or closely related crops have grown recently if you are trying to reduce soil-borne disease problems.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose sound seed potatoes and prepare them if needed
Buy firm, healthy seed potatoes from a reputable supplier. If your supplier or local guidance recommends it, let them sit in a cool, bright, frost-free place until they develop short sturdy shoots before planting. Do not use tubers that are soft, mouldy or obviously diseased.
Why: Starting with clean planting stock lowers the risk of introducing disease, and sturdy pre-sprouted shoots can help the plants establish more quickly.
- 2
Prepare the bed or container
Pick a sunny position and loosen the soil so roots and tubers can develop freely. Mix in organic matter if the soil is poor, but avoid leaving the site heavy and waterlogged. If using containers, use a clean container with drainage holes and fill it with a suitable growing mix that drains well while holding some moisture.
Why: Potatoes crop best in fertile, free-draining conditions. Poor drainage can encourage rot, while compacted soil can restrict tuber growth.
- 3
Plant the seed potatoes
Set the seed potatoes in the soil or compost with the shoots facing upward. Space them according to the variety type and the instructions from the supplier, because earlies and maincrops often need different spacing. Cover them with soil so they are properly buried but not planted into cold, saturated ground.
Why: Correct spacing reduces competition for light, water and nutrients, and proper depth helps the plant root well and keeps developing tubers out of the light.
- 4
Water lightly, then keep moisture steady
Water after planting if the soil is dry, then keep the growing medium evenly moist as the plants develop. Avoid extremes: do not let the soil dry out for long periods, but do not keep it sodden. Container-grown potatoes usually need more frequent checking than those in the ground.
Why: Steady moisture supports even tuber formation. Irregular watering can reduce yield and contribute to quality problems.
- 5
Earth up the stems as the plants grow
When shoots emerge and continue growing, draw soil up around the stems or add more compost around container plants, leaving the top leaves exposed. Repeat this whenever enough new stem growth appears, until you have formed a ridge in the ground or filled the container to its intended level.
Why: Earthing up protects young shoots from late frost, suppresses weeds and, most importantly, prevents tubers near the surface from turning green in the light.
- 6
Monitor growth and respond to problems early
Keep the area weeded, watch for pest damage and remove obviously diseased foliage if local guidance recommends it. Support healthy leafy growth with consistent care rather than overfeeding. If frost is forecast and shoots are exposed, cover them temporarily or earth them up further.
Why: Early intervention limits stress and crop loss. Potatoes can recover from minor setbacks more easily when the root system and foliage stay healthy.
- 7
Harvest at the right stage
For new potatoes, gently check around a plant once it has reached the expected stage for the variety, often around flowering time. For storage crops, wait until the foliage has died back and the skins have firmed up before lifting. Lift carefully with a fork or by emptying the container, taking care not to spear or bruise the tubers.
Why: Harvest timing affects both flavour and storage life. Immature potatoes are best eaten soon, while fully matured tubers store better if lifted carefully.
Why this works
A potato plant forms tubers along underground stems. Planting into fertile, well-drained soil and repeatedly covering the lower stems creates the dark, protected space those tubers need to develop well without turning green. Consistent moisture and healthy foliage then allow the plant to convert sunlight into the stored energy that swells the tubers.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planting supermarket potatoes instead of certified seed potatoes
- Growing in heavy, waterlogged soil
- Failing to earth up, leaving tubers exposed to light
- Letting the soil swing between very dry and very wet
- Planting too early in cold, frost-prone conditions
Troubleshooting
Shoots were blackened after a late frost
Earth up or cover the damaged tops and wait to see if new growth emerges from below. Potatoes often recover if the tuber and lower stems remain healthy.
Tubers are green near the surface
Increase earthing up sooner next time and keep all developing tubers covered. Do not eat green parts, as greening indicates light exposure and can be associated with harmful compounds.
Plants are lush but produce few potatoes
Review spacing, sunlight and feeding. Too much nitrogen, overcrowding or too much shade can push leafy growth at the expense of tubers.
Tubers rot in the ground or container
Improve drainage, avoid overwatering and use clean seed stock. Containers must drain freely, and beds should not stay waterlogged.
Leaves show disease and the crop is declining quickly
Remove badly affected top growth if advised by reliable local guidance, avoid composting obviously diseased material unless your local authority says it is acceptable, and do not save affected tubers for replanting.
Compare your options
Open ground
Best for: Larger harvests and gardeners with suitable soil
Pros: Usually highest yield; less frequent watering than containers; easier to grow a full row
Cons: Needs more space; soil-borne disease can build up; harder to manage in very heavy soil
Raised bed
Best for: Gardeners improving poor native soil
Pros: Better drainage; easier soil preparation; simpler access for earthing up and harvesting
Cons: Needs bed space and added growing material; can dry out faster than open ground
Large container or grow bag
Best for: Small spaces, patios and renters
Pros: Works without a vegetable plot; easy harvesting; reduced contact with poor garden soil
Cons: Needs close watering attention; yields are usually lower than a full bed; containers can overheat or dry out
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open ground | Larger harvests and gardeners with suitable soil | Usually highest yield; less frequent watering than containers; easier to grow a full row | Needs more space; soil-borne disease can build up; harder to manage in very heavy soil |
| Raised bed | Gardeners improving poor native soil | Better drainage; easier soil preparation; simpler access for earthing up and harvesting | Needs bed space and added growing material; can dry out faster than open ground |
| Large container or grow bag | Small spaces, patios and renters | Works without a vegetable plot; easy harvesting; reduced contact with poor garden soil | Needs close watering attention; yields are usually lower than a full bed; containers can overheat or dry out |
Alternatives
- Grow first early varieties for quicker harvests of small new potatoes
- Use large fabric pots or sacks if you do not have open soil
- Buy disease-resistant varieties suited to your local conditions
Pro tips
- Label each variety at planting so you can track which crops earliest and stores best.
- Do not leave harvested potatoes in sunlight, as they can green quickly.
- Check containers daily in warm weather because compost can dry much faster than garden soil.
- Harvest on a dry day if possible, especially for potatoes you plan to store.
Safety notes
- Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or are handling rough soil and compost.
- Lift with care and use a fork cautiously to avoid foot injuries and damaged tubers.
- Do not eat potatoes or peelings that are distinctly green or taste bitter.
- Store harvested potatoes out of reach of pets and children if any are damaged or green.
What this guide does not cover: This guide covers the basic home-growing process for potatoes but does not provide region-specific planting dates, variety recommendations, or detailed diagnosis for every pest and disease.
Cost considerations
The main costs are seed potatoes, compost or soil improver, and containers if you are not planting in the ground. Certified seed usually costs more than supermarket potatoes, but it is generally the safer and more reliable choice because of disease control and varietal accuracy.
Prefer to hire a professional?
If this job is beyond a confident DIY — or the work needs to be done by a licensed professional — you can find a verified gardener or landscaper through Trade Directory (tradedirectory.co.nz), New Zealand's directory of real, verified trade businesses. Compare local tradespeople, read their details and request quotes before you commit.
Find a gardener or landscaper on Trade DirectoryFrequently asked questions
Can I plant potatoes from the supermarket?+
It is better not to. Supermarket potatoes may carry disease and are not sold as certified seed stock. Certified seed potatoes are grown and handled to reduce those risks.
Do I need to chit potatoes before planting?+
Not always. Many gardeners do it because short sturdy shoots can speed establishment, especially for early crops, but local advice and your supplier’s guidance matter more than treating it as an absolute rule.
How do I know when to earth up?+
Start once shoots are clearly above the surface and repeat whenever enough new stem growth appears that more soil or compost can be drawn around it while leaving the top leaves exposed.
Can I grow potatoes in pots?+
Yes, provided the container is large, clean and drains well. Container crops usually need closer watering and feeding attention than those grown in open ground.
When are potatoes ready to harvest?+
New potatoes are lifted young for immediate eating, often once plants are flowering or near that stage depending on variety. Maincrop potatoes for storage are usually left until the tops die back and the skins are firm.
Sources & references
Guidance on this page is traced to documented sources. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Royal Horticultural Society - Potatoes: growing your own · industry
Supports guidance on growing potatoes in ground or containers, earthing up, watering, and harvest stages for different crop types.
- University of Minnesota Extension - Growing potatoes in home gardens · official
Supports use of certified seed potatoes, site and soil needs, planting basics, hilling or earthing up, and general crop care.
The basic method for planting potatoes changes slowly, but exact timing and variety choice vary by region, weather and current disease pressures.