Using certified seed pieces instead of grocery store potatoes will help to avoid some potential plant disease problems. In the Athens area, potatoes can be planted in early April. Plant seed potatoes four to five inches deep, leave 10 inches between plants in the row, and space rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Potatoes are adapted to a wide variety of soils, but they usually grow best in loose, loamy soil. Although potatoes can be planted on flat ground, forming a hill around the plant is preferable.
Hills provide room for developing tubers to expand and prevent greening by the sun.
Hilling is also important for drainage. Potato hills can be formed at planting time by mounding dirt around the seed piece, or they can be formed after the plants are up. Apply the fertilizer uniformly over the planting area and incorporate it into the top six to eight inches of soil. If you decide to fertilize your potatoes with manure, be sure that it is well composted.