Cutting Back Potatoes

Question

My potatoes are growing about 3 ft. high. Could I cut them back? Will that do any harm?

Answer 1

If you cut them back, you will be removing their ability to collect energy to store. Since they store excess energy in their tubers (aka potatoes) this means there would be fewer and smaller potatoes. It is best not to cut them back. Some people do mound up dirt or straw around the vines and this forces the plant to grow more tubers.