How to Hill Potatoes for a Huge Crop
Growing potatoes is one of the most rewarding gardening experiences, especially when you uncover a bountiful harvest of plump, healthy tubers. One of the most crucial techniques to ensure a large yield is hilling. This simple process of mounding soil around potato plants as they grow encourages the development of more tubers and protects them from sunlight, which can turn them green and toxic. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hill potatoes for a huge crop.
1. Start With Proper Planting
Before you begin hilling, your potatoes need to be planted correctly. Start by planting seed potatoes in a shallow trench, about 4 inches deep, with eyes facing up. Space them about 12 inches apart in rows that are 2-3 feet apart. Cover with soil and water well. As the plants grow, you’ll gradually build up the soil around them—this is where hilling begins.
2. Wait for the Right Time
Begin hilling when your potato plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall. At this stage, the plant is strong enough to handle extra soil around its base, and the underground stems are beginning to develop tubers. Don’t wait too long—exposing young tubers to light can reduce yield and cause greening.
3. Mound Soil Around the Plants
Using a hoe, shovel, or your hands, gently pull soil from between the rows and mound it up around the base of each plant. Cover the bottom half to two-thirds of the plant, leaving a few inches of leaves exposed at the top. This encourages the plant to produce more tubers along the buried stem.
4. Repeat the Process
As your potato plants continue to grow, you’ll need to repeat the hilling process every 2–3 weeks. Ideally, you should hill a total of 2 to 3 times during the growing season, each time adding more soil until the hill is about 8 to 12 inches high. Make sure not to damage the roots while hilling and always water after hilling to settle the soil.
5. Consider Alternative Hilling Materials
While garden soil is the most common material used for hilling, other options can also be effective. Straw, compost, or shredded leaves can be used to mound around the plants. These materials are easier to move, help retain moisture, and suppress weeds. However, be sure they are deep enough to block sunlight from reaching developing tubers.
6. Monitor Plant Health
Throughout the growing season, watch for signs of disease, pests, or nutrient deficiencies. Hilling alone won’t guarantee a massive harvest if the plants aren’t healthy. Keep your garden weed-free, water consistently (especially during tuber formation), and feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer as needed.
In Conclusion
Hilling is one of the simplest yet most effective methods to maximize your potato yield. By encouraging the formation of more tubers and protecting them from the sun, hilling directly contributes to a larger, healthier harvest. With regular care and attention, you can look forward to digging up a huge crop of delicious, homegrown potatoes by the end of the season.
