Many gardeners believe the higher the soil ridge around potato plants, the better the yield. However, experts from Kazan Federal University and Rosselkhoztsentr warn that excessive hilling backfires. Small potatoes are often linked not to the variety but to poor care practices. While hilling is necessary — it protects tubers from light, suppresses weeds, and supports stolon formation — the rule “the higher the ridge, the better” does not apply. The most common mistake is adding too much soil and nearly burying the entire plant. Too frequent and excessively high hilling can damage the root system, dry out the soil, and on heavy clay soils, even provoke rot, disrupting aeration and normal tuber formation.
The working scheme for an ordinary garden plot is simpler than it seems: two hilling sessions per season are usually sufficient. Specialists recommend first lightly raising the soil around young stems, then after 2–3 weeks forming a moderate ridge of about 15–19 cm (6–7.5 inches), leaving the tops exposed to light. The work is best done in the morning or evening on moist soil. Experts also remind gardeners that tuber size depends on moisture, planting density, and the overall health of the plant. Hilling mistakes hit yields hardest where the soil is already heavy or beds are overcrowded. Potatoes thrive not on a high earthen mound but on a balanced, moderate approach.
