If the plant has died while back, when you pull, not all potatoes will come out, attache to the root system. So you have to dig.

If you dig and still find not very many tubers, then you have other problem. Potatoes(in general) needs cool soil to produce. When the soil temps, reach about 70F and higher , they will shut down.

Potatoes seldom just come up when you pull the plant IME. :) You have to dig them. Thus the phrase, "It's time to dig the potatoes."

Dave

On the other hand............of the 25 or so potato plants that I had growing, 3 of them had no potatoes, they were some of the earliest to die back, so it does happen.

I have had the same thing happen with Dahlias, where the tuber rots before it has begun to multiply, but there are enough roots to support the plant.

Could also be critters ... I've had potato plants die one by one at about the right time and found nothing in the ground. Turns out the voles got to the potatoes before I could.

Thanks for all your comments.

I have not noticed digging around the potato planter. About 2 months ago, I did have a skunk coming around for my worms.

After pulling out the dead plants, I did use my hands to feel for potatoes, but did not find any. I am glad my other ones are doing find. The potatoes are getting bigger every day.

You might want to try using a trowel and digging deeper. You might be happily surprised.

-Anne

With several plants still growing, the OP may not want to risk digging into those growing tubers. Safer to wait and dig them all together.