What's in your garden?

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Would someone explain how to care for potato plants? I planted some in a huge compost pile and the potatoes are doing great. I was informed today I was going at it wrong. She said I need to keep piling straw and dirt on the plant as it grows. The potatoes grow from the plant and not the roots(?) I could google but there are experts on this forum with great ideas. Thanks.

Last year I planted red potatoes in a pile of rich soil, in one corner of my garden, then did nothing more then water. Then held the water back when plant started to wilt or die off. Didn't mulch with soil or straw. When I dug through the pile in the Fall, I had from fist size down to golf ball size, enough to fill several flat boxes, I stored in my pump house. Admit this year to adding a leaf and soil mulch to part of the plants to see if it makes a difference, since I did Google for advise. So will know more later on.

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking I will just continue with what I'm doing. The plants look strong. I planted red, white, and fingerlings.