Why is it better to plant cut pieces of potato with the eye pointing upward?

It's not better to plant cut pieces of potato with the eye pointing upward.

Here's why:

* The eye is where the new plant will sprout. Planting the eye upward doesn't actually matter for the sprout. The potato can be oriented any way you want, as long as the eye is in contact with the soil.

* The potato will grow roots down and shoots up regardless of its initial orientation.

* It is important that the eye is buried in the soil. If you leave it exposed, it might dry out or be eaten by pests.

What really matters:

* Use a seed potato (a potato specifically meant for planting). Regular potatoes from the grocery store may not produce healthy plants.

* Cut the seed potato into pieces with at least one eye on each piece. This helps ensure you get multiple plants.

* Plant the potato pieces 2-4 inches deep in the soil. This provides enough depth for roots and protects the sprouts.

So, while the orientation of the eye doesn't matter, make sure the eye is in contact with the soil and buried at the proper depth!