[Michael D]

Hi all    I know this may sound silly, what is the best way to plant potatoes,
  1     4  to 5 in  deep on a flat bed then ridge when they start to grow.
  2     put the seed on the ground and ridge over them and continue as they grow.
  3     or make the ridge first then plant the seed into them.    Earlies are chitted  but   main crop may not be as i have to many   25kg   any views please.   Michael

[paintedlady]

How about starting with a trench, plant spuds & back fill with some of the soil dug out, and as the plant emerges, continue to earth up using remaining soil and digging new trenches 

[gregmcalister]

I use a trench as well. I dig a trench about a foot deep then incorporate lots of compost of rotted manure in the bottom. Plant the potatoes about 6 inches or so deep then earth them up with the soil taken from the trench.

[Aidy]

Or as I do which is a little more back friendly, use a bulb planter to plant the seed spud 4 inches below the surface, then earth up as required, save digging a trench and the spud is roughly the same depth down.

[Stripey_cat]

Is your soil very heavy? If so, you may be better off with the potatoes on top and a ridge over them (in a trench they might get waterlogged).

[Rampant_Weasel]

personally i put my row string out, dig a trench a border spade deep, line with compost, plant spuds and then earth up.job done

[PAH48]

Or as I do which is a little more back friendly, use a bulb planter to plant the seed spud 4 inches below the surface, then earth up as required, save digging a trench and the spud is roughly the same depth down.

I'll go with Aidy  after all it ain't rocket sience....whether you use a bulb planter or a good
size dibbler..... 4" depth to plant and 18 - to 24 inch between each seed and between rows.
or closer if need be, as the green comes through the soil , earth up, as and when required.

Last year I planted too close together,  ran out of tatties a couple of weeks back,
heck! of a crop .. as it were me first time growing tatties..certainly not dissapointed...

As i have done Trial and error, can't beat it , best way of learning......
Ask one gardener...get 3-4 or more answers 

Have fun enjoy

[peapod]

Love that bulb planter idea Aidy!
Between you and Trillium today ive learnt new tricks, so thanks to you too!

[digalotty]

as my bed has recently bin dug over im similar to aidy, but i wiluse a hand trowel as i dont hav a planter

[iwantanallotment]

Last year I planted too close together,  ran out of tatties a couple of weeks back,

PAH, how did you store your tatties so successfully for so long?
That's something I've never looked into, as we eat them as soon as they're pulled - but I'm growing many more this year and may well need to store some.
I expect somewhere cool, dry & dark is important....anything else to take into account?

[lacewing]

I always grow a late main crop that will keep well until April. I store them in large brown paper bags, stood on a pallet in the garage.