To encourage large yields and to prevent sunburning, potatoes should be hilled or ridged, pulling loose soil along the row as the crop is growing. This ridge or hill eventually should be 8-12 inches tall. Potatoes like a fertile well-drained location with loose, friable soil. Potatoes need regular consistent watering, especially during development when the plants are 6-12 inches tall. Irregular watering lowers yields and may result in rough knobs on the tubers.
Mulches can be useful in holding moisture near the plant.
Harvesting Early or new potatoes can be harvested as the plants are growing by gently removing some plants in the row. Begin digging potatoes when the vines are about half dead. Remove excess vines and carefully dig the tubers. Allow them to surface dry out of the sun for a day or more to toughen the skin and prevent sunburning. Then move potatoes into a cold dark location for storage.