How to Earth Up/Hill Potatoes (and Why)
Earthing up, or hilling, means piling soil or mulch around potato plants as they grow. This classic technique offers multiple benefits for urban, container, and ground growers alike.
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Benefits of Earthing Up
- Prevents Sun Exposure:
Covered tubers are protected from sunlight, which turns potatoes green and toxic. - Increases Yield:
Each hill encourages extra tubers to form along buried stems. - Frost and Weed Protection:
Extra soil insulates against cold snaps and smothers weeds.
How to Earth Up Potatoes
- Start When Plants Are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) Tall:
Use a trowel, hoe, or your hands to gently mound soil or compost up around the base of the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. - Repeat Every 2–3 Weeks:
Add more soil or mulch as plants grow, creating a mound 15–30 cm (6–12 in) high by the time plants flower. - In Containers:
Simply add more compost or mulch until the container is almost full.
Tips for Urban and Balcony Growers
- Use lightweight, organic mulches (like straw or grass clippings) in pots or bags for easy handling.
- Never cover all the leaves—always leave at least the top third of the plant above the soil.
- Continue earthing up until flowering, then let plants mature.
What If You Don’t Hill Up?
- Exposed tubers turn green and develop toxic solanine.
- Yields are often lower, especially in containers.