A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening New to potato growing

This is my first time growing potatos. I'm in NE PA and planted April 25th. I tilded the ground well, planted with a sulfer dusting. Hilled about 8-10 inches as they grew. All was great until a couple days ago. Plants were about 2 ft. tall and looked healthy as can be. All of a sudden they're all laying on the ground, a few look like the stem at ground level are rotted. There has been rain here almost every day for weeks! I'm also noticeing what I believe are "flea beatles", and some bug that looks like a tiny "scab" on the underside of leaves. Leaves have tiny holes.

Is the falling over normal? Should I "prop" them up somehow? How do I stop the bugs from doing damage (organically)?

mjw: Asking the moderators to move this to the veggie sub-forum. I've only ever grown potatoes in pots (!) so I don't know their habits. But lots of folks here do grow potatoes. Maybe your post will be looked at more if it's moved.