The potato fruit looks like a small tomato. The fruit is a seed ball that is borne at the top of the plant. The edible portion of the potato plant is the underground tuber that serves as food storage. Potato setting, or tuberization, occurs six to eight weeks after planting, or when the plant is in the early bud stage. In Delaware approximately 5,000 acres of potatoes are grown annually and shipped throughout the eastern United States and Canada.
Seed potatoes are available from many farm and garden stores in the state.
Seed pieces should be cut the day before planting to allow healing. Plant them in 36-inch rows with the seed pieces dropped every 9 to 12 inches. Maintain soil pH at 5.5 to 6 to control scab, although many varieties are now scab resistant. Potatoes respond to high fertilization and frequent watering. Hoe or cultivate weeds when they are young, before rows close in.