Here is an interesting way to grow potatoes. I've done this for several years, but had to quit as the gophers come along and eat the bottom from the potato.
don't dig anything. Just pick a row, and put your potato eyes on top of the ground. Pile wheat straw a foot or more deep on top of them and to the side. As the straw settles, you might have to add a little more.
The tops will peek through the straw in a month, and in another month you can lift up the edge of the straw, reach under and pick what you need for the day. The plant will continue to produce until late June when the ground temps start getting too high causing rot.
Trying this this year.