The best temperatures for potatoes are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Though the rich, sandy soil of northeastern North Carolina are the best for potatoes, the soil must be well plowed. This mixes the soil into fine particles which help the plant to produce more potatoes. Potatoes do not grow well if there is a very heavy rainfall or many storms in a period of days. The fields have to be drained of standing water.
Sprouts begin to appear from one to two weeks after planting.
It generally takes 100 days from the time the crop is planted until it is ready for harvest. Once the potatoes are taken from the ground, they are generally shipped out the same day. There are special potato graders that measure the size and grade of the potatoes. Pesticides are used while they are growing to control the Colorado Potato Beetle. Before machines, potatoes were plowed out of the ground with a horse and plow.