How do you plant and grow red potatoes?

Plant and grow red potatoes by preparing the seed potatoes, composting the gardening area, planting the potatoes, watering the plants and mulching the ground. You need seed potatoes, a knife, compost, water and mulch.

1. Prepare the seed potatoes

   Purchase seed potatoes from a nursery or gardening center. Cut them into small squares that contain at least one bud. Let them rest for two days before planting them.

2. Prepare the garden

   Choose a gardening site with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 that has sandy, well-drained soil. Add compost to the top 3 feet, and mix it in thoroughly.

3. Plant the seed potatoes

   Dig holes that are between 3 and 5 inches deep and 12 inches apart in the gardening beds. Place one piece of seed potato in each hole, making sure the buds are facing up. Fill in the holes with soil.

4. Water the seedlings

   Water the potatoes well immediately after planting, and then once or twice a week afterward. The soil needs to remain moist.

5. Cover the stems

   Once the potato stems break through the soil's surface, cover them with dirt to prevent sun exposure.

6. Mulch the plants

   Mulch the area with 3 inches of organic matter to keep the soil moist.