A study compared growing potatoes under plastic mulch versus beside it in dry land. Planting beside the mulch led to earlier emergence, budding, and flowering of the potatoes. It also resulted in more and heavier large-sized tubers, as well as a higher percentage of marketable tubers. Farmers earned more money by planting potatoes beside the mulch compared to under it. Overall, the findings suggest that planting potatoes beside plastic mulch can be beneficial for potato production in mid-west Inner Mongolia.