[sandygreen]

I grow first earlies in potato bags.  In the past I have always put the bags in a very sunny spot but have a section of ground that only gets full sun for about 2-3 hours early in the day.  Would the potatoes grow OK there or do they really need a sunny spot?

[simonwatson]

The top growth will be very leggy and weak with so little sun, as it goes hunting for more light. I think 5-6 hours is the recommended minimum for spuds.

[Trillium]

Potatoes are one of the few crops I won't put into a semi shady area. As said, they really do need all the sun they can get.

[gavinjconway]

Last year I used 2 small garden shares and the one with dappled shade from lunchtime had very leggy spuds..

[sandygreen]

Well that solved that problem!  Many thanks for the advice, will have to find a sunnier home I think

[Goldfinger]

And for the ones in the ground??

I planted mine with the rows going east - west last year, then was told I should of planted them going north - south, so they can track the sun better.

Therefore, that's what I've done this year, and also put them a bit closer.

Last year I seemed to have HUGE 'wasted' gaps between the plants and the rows, so I was plagued with weeds getting in the gaps!