Commercial potato growers

[Almost Eden]

I'm a bit confused after watching some YouTube videos about potato harvesting on large farms. The machinery at work on a large-scale potato farm is amazing, but it looked like the potatoes were growing right on top of the soil. There was no digging that I could see. Do commercial growers just grow them on top of the soil? I don't see how it would work. Is it a different type of potato than what home gardeners typically grow?

You can really see it at the 3:00 mark. The potatoes are just sitting on top of the soil, waiting to be harvested.

 

[leon]

The depth and space a farmer opts for will depend on the variety of potatoes being grown. In most cases, smooth soil at a depth of up to 20 centimeters will allow the plants to grow well.

 

[OhSusanna]

I'm no expert, but I think you're only seeing a portion of what goes into harvesting potatoes. I believe they usually kill the vines several days to weeks in advance. You just aren't seeing that part.

 

[Holii]

I've grown many potatoes and I've only ever seen them grown underground. They are really deep, you mound the soil up. I watched the video and I don't think you're watching all of it either.

 

[Shelbii]

Interesting video but I agree that something has to be missing. I don't know of any potatoes that are grown above ground either. You don't have to plant them real deep but they do have to be covered.