[DD.]

Yup!

[JohnB47]

In my first year - late spring 2009, I did as others say, dig trench and plant potatoes along with choice of food (in my case chicken pellets).

But last spring I decided that the new area that I was going to plant them in would get enough digging over at harvest time , so I removed the cover that had been on since the plot was cleared the year earlier and simply trowel dug individual holes at the usual spacing, added some chic pellets and covered over. (OK, I did dig out some of the big bindweed plants as well as I could at the same time). Later, I earthed up as the shoots grew and this removed some of the smaller weeds that were there before and those that has sprouted later).

I plan to do much the same this year. The planting area will be given a light digging over to remove the worst of the weeds (perhaps even a rake over will do), then I'll just plant the potatoes individually.

Why bother digging a trench? OK, I can understand it if you want to incorporate some compost etc at the same time but otherwise why go to all that trouble moving soil around that doesn't need it?

[mumofstig]

Why bother digging a trench? OK, I can understand it if you want to incorporate some compost etc at the same time

You answered your own question 

We all do things the way that suits us and our soil 

[flitwickone]

i make a hole 6inches deep scatter some slug pellets pop the potatoe in cover and leave 

[NASH]

I lay my spud seeds on top of undug earth which is now rock hard and cover them with grass clippings and 9" of well rotted manure, then I add more well rotted manure until they need no more, for 2nd and maincrops I add some BFAB and slug pellets all round.

[digalotty]

trench for me too i find it easier to earth up, and it helps from early frost as you can cover he trenchwith plastic

[DD.]

I can dig a trench just about as fast as making holes every foot (for earlies) and dorpping a spud in.

It opens up the soil so it's not as compact and gives me better shaped spuds, also the manure is spread out and available as the plant spreads out, not just a bit concentracted in the same hole.