Growing Potatoes Paul's favorite food crop, both to grow and eat, is the potato. In fact, his mother insists that if it weren't for the potato, and some butter and sour cream, he would be a 98-pound weakling. Here are some tips on how to grow this popular vegetable from the Spud Man himself. Potatoes need fertile, well-drained soil. It's best if the soil is a bit on the acidic side to prevent disease to the crop.
Potatoes grow best in the cool months.
For that reason, it's best to plant them in late winter or early spring. In the Deep South, they are often planted in the fall for a winter harvest. They can be found at a nursery or home and garden center that carries the certified disease-free varieties. DON'T buy potatoes from the grocery for planting because they have most likely been treated with a chemical to prevent sprouting and will NOT grow. Look for at least three eyes on the potato.