Planting Potatoes

Soil

Potatoes can be grown in a wide variety of soils. They do best, however, in deep, fertile loam that is well drained. Avoid heavy, clay soil. You can improve your soil by adding manure in fall or composted soil in spring. Your garden should be in an open, sunny location.

Planting

Seed potatoes are subject to frost damage, so planting dates will vary by region. Early varieties can be planted from March 15th onwards, maincrop and mid-to-late varieties from May 15th on. Planting dates will need to be adjusted for colder regions. Plant tubers with sprouts facing up, about 10 to 12 cm (4-5") deep in trenches or holes. Space them 30 to 35 cm (12-14") apart with 75 cm (30") between rows. When the plants reach a height of 10 to 12 cm (4-5") above ground, mound soil around them, until only their tips are exposed, to protect from frost. When the stems are about eight inches high, you need to add soil to about half way up their length. Another hilling two to three weeks later will encourage a bigger potato crop.

Planting Onion Sets

Growing onions from onion sets is much easier than doing so from seeds, and has a much higher rate of success. Onions prefer sunny areas with rich, light soils. Tread the soil down until firm before planting. Dig a hole in the soil and plant the onion set so that just the tips are exposed. Do not just push them into the ground, as this may cause them to grow out later. Place onions 10 cm (4") apart in the row, after making sure that the soil is moist, but not wet. There is no need to water after planting.