They should emerge rapidly under proper conditions. Do not wash seed tubers. This may increase disease susceptibility and disease spread between tubers. Planting Plant potatoes up to 2 weeks earlier than the average date of the last spring frost. The soil temperature should be 45 degrees or warmer.
Potatoes prefer a sandy to sandy loam soil.
Till the soil to a depth of 16 inches and pre-irrigate the soil until moist. Commercial fertilizer may be used if desired. Place the fertilizer in a band about 6 to 7 inches deep and to the side of where the seed will lie in the bed. Do not put fertilizer in direct contact with the seed, as this may damage it. Potatoes use approximately 0.38 pounds of nitrogen for each 100 square feet of Garden space.