https://cipotato.org/potato/how-potato-grows/ I know many here will argue with me but thought I would post this so you can see how potatoes are formed ! I still can`t figure out why people go to the extra work of adding soil to a potato plant ! If you plant about 6 inches deep in good loose soil it is going to make the same number of potatoes with or without the addition of soil ! The plant will not make potatoes up the main stem ! Now,, if additional soil was added,, the tubers will expand and grow into the new soil but its the same potatoes that are already growing/forming ! Just not new ones ! OK people post your comments ! I am a big girl,, I can take it !
Mart, I agree. When I started planting potatoes I was very traditional, hilling my little heart out. Now I plant in a 6" deep trench and cover the potatoes with about 3"-4" of soil. I add more later, but that is compost to enrich the soil. If I didn't want to add compost, I'd just fill the trench (but a girl's gotta do something with all that compost!).
So many hill extra soil on potatoes thinking their harvest will be more that I had to post this !! Just plant in a good loose trench !! No extra work needed !!
If your growing area is shallow,,say a foot or less then it can be a good thing ! It gives more area for the potatoes to grow into ! Point is you are still going to get the same number of potatoes as if you had more loose soil below ! Like MG said,, topping it with compost is a better option than garden soil !! Has some food value similar to fertilizer ! But I would use both ! I probably use a couple of tablespoons of 10-10-10 per plant just sprinkled on top of the ground and watered in or before a rain !
