We have planted Kennebec potatoes using an unusual method: a potato tower.

Although we wanted potatoes, we did not have the space for enough plants to make it worthwhile, so we are trying the potato tower method described in Golden Gate Gardening.

The tower is a cage of concrete reinforcing mesh lined with shade cloth. We added 6" of soil on the bottom and started laying the seed potatoes about 3" in from the edges. Covering with about 12" of additional soil lifted the level up to plant more potatoes for a total of four layers.

The theory of this is that the potatoes wil sprout out of the side of the tower. we will cut slits through the shade cloth to allow the plant stems to develop.

I myself am skeptical about this, but am taking a wait-and-see attitude.