Can potatoes grow in partial shade?

Potato varieties that grow well in part shade should be selected with care. In my garden trial, Yukon Gold produced about 80% of the crop compared to those growing in full sun. Most types of potatoes require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for the best production; however, varieties that tolerate shade exist. In general, morning sun and afternoon shade a better filters than dappled sunlight throughout the day.

Light timing influences the development of tubers. My north-facing bed produced smaller but denser Red Pontiac spuds. The morning sun warms the soil through the day without undue overheating during hours of the midday sun. Pruning is an easy way to open the tree canopy. In trials, reflective mulch increased light by 30%. Use a sun calculator to log hours of sunlight.

Watering changes in the shade. Evaporation and transpiration reduce so much water less often 25% of the time. I water shaded plots every 6 days and full sun plots every 4 days. Soil probes prevent overwatering. I prefer drip lines to sprinklers here - wet foliage has mildew in the shade.

Undercover, pest pressure has changed. The slugs increased in quantity by 50% more in my shaded rows. The beer traps cut the damage by 80%. In shaded beds, Colorado beetles decreased and did not expose themselves to direct sunlight. Companion plantings of nasturtiums nearby confuse pest populations and reduce damage. Rotate your crops annually to change the disease cycle.

Read the full article: When Plant Potatoes: Expert Timing Guide