Solanum tuberosum 'Belle de Fontenay'

Planting: Potatoes need a light, deep, and rich soil. Choose a sunny location. Add well-rotted compost in the previous autumn by scratching it on 5 cm (2in) after loosening the soil. Planting takes place under cover in February-March for early varieties. For other varieties, plant them from mid-March to May, depending on the climate. Wait until the soil is at least ten °C (50°F). The flowering of the lilac is often a landmark to start planting. Install several varieties in your vegetable garden to vary the pleasures!

Loosen the soil deeply and form rows 10 cm (4in) deep, spaced 70 cm (28in) apart. Place the tubers, sprout facing upwards, every 40 cm (16in) (or 30 cm (12in) for early varieties). Cover with fine soil when the plants reach 15 cm (6in), mound up by bringing fine soil to the base of the stems over a height of 20 cm (8in). Mounding up will promote the formation of tubers and the flow of water. You can mound them up again a month later. Mulch around the plants with thin successive layers of grass clippings mixed with dead leaves if possible. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also limits weeding.

Potato cultivation does not require watering except in cases of extreme heat. In this case, water the base without wetting the foliage to prevent the onset of fungal diseases.

Diseases and pests: Potatoes are susceptible, just like tomatoes, to late blight. This is a fungal disease caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. Late blight develops in hot and humid weather. Small spots appear, white on the undersides of the leaves and brown on the top. As a preventive measure, here are some tips to reduce the risk of late blight:

• do not grow several plants from the Solanaceae family in neighbouring rows: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, chilli peppers... as they are susceptible to the same diseases

• in terms of rotation, wait four years before growing a Solanaceae plant in the exact location

• space the plants, both within and between rows, to promote air circulation and prevent rapid spread of diseases

• if you need to water, do not wet the foliage

• spray with a fungicide or preparations such as horsetail decoction or garlic purée

Harvest can also be affected by the Colorado potato beetle, an insect of the order Coleoptera. You will recognise it by its yellow head and its yellow and black striped body. The best solution, although time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your rows of potatoes. Sow from April to June in shallow furrows. Besides its repellent effect against Colorado potato beetles, flax will brighten your vegetable garden with its little blue flowers. You can also interplant peas between your rows of potatoes.

Other planting methods: The detailed planting method above is the most common. If you want to plant potatoes, there are two different methods you can try. One method is called mulch planting, where you place the potatoes on the ground and cover them with mulch. As the plant grows, you add more mulch to keep the potatoes from being exposed to light.

Another method is called tower planting, which is good if you don't have a lot of space. You can make a tower out of materials like wood, wire mesh, bags, or tires. You start by putting the potatoes on a bed of potting soil or compost and as the plant grows, you add more soil. You repeat this process until you reach the top of the tower, allowing the potatoes to form at different levels. Once the foliage has withered, it's time to harvest the potatoes.

Remember to water regularly for both methods.