Whether grown in a garden, a barrel, old tires or a grow bag, potatoes need to be covered with loose organic material periodically, or hilled up. This addition of organic material encourages the potato tubers to grow deep and wide and allows new potatoes to form on top of maturing potatoes. Depth and darkness improve the flavour of potatoes. Potatoes grown too close to the surface and receiving too much sunlight will grow bitter and contain chemicals that can be toxic. Covering potato plants Traditionally, in March to May seed potatoes are planted 1½ to 2 feet (46 to 61cm) apart in a 6 to 8 inch (15 to 20cm) deep trench. They are covered with soil or organic material, such as sphagnum peat moss, mulch or straw and then watered deeply. In early spring, Mother Nature may do much of the watering. When the potato vines grow to about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20cm) above the soil surface, more soil or organic material is hilled up around the young potato seedlings so that only the top lea
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