Preparing the Raised Beds

Before you begin planting potatoes, it's important to prepare your raised beds properly. Start by clearing any weeds or debris from the bed. Then, add a layer of compost or organic matter to improve the soil's fertility. Mix it in well so that it's evenly distributed throughout the bed.

Next, create shallow trenches in the soil about 12 inches apart. These trenches will be used to plant the potato spuds. Make sure the trenches are deep enough to accommodate the length of the spuds.

Finally, water the raised bed thoroughly to ensure the soil is moist before planting.

Planting the Potato Spuds

Select healthy potato spuds for planting. Make sure they have sprouts or 'eyes' on them. These sprouts will eventually grow into potato plants.

Place the potato spuds in the prepared trenches, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Cover the spuds with soil, leaving a small mound on top. This mound will help prevent the potatoes from being exposed to sunlight, which can turn them green and make them inedible.

After planting, water the bed again to ensure the soil is evenly moist.

Caring for the Potatoes

Potatoes require regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist. Make sure to water deeply, allowing the water to reach the roots of the plants. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to rotting of the tubers.

As the potato plants grow, they will need to be hilled. This involves adding soil around the base of the plants, covering the lower part of the stems. Hilling helps protect the developing tubers from sunlight and encourages more potatoes to form.

Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, such as potato beetles and late blight. If necessary, use organic pest control methods to protect your plants.

Harvest the potatoes when the plants have died back and the skins are firm. Gently dig them up using a garden fork, being careful not to damage the potatoes.