I read that, too. However, Mrs W560 wouldn't allow tires in the backyard.
The trash can is kind of the same thing. Seed it in about 3" of soil, and whenever the plant grew to about a foot, put 8 inches of soil or so and keep doing that until there's about 2" left from the top.
Like I said before, though, it was too hot.
So what you do is this:
Cut the potatoes, making sure there is an eye on each section, put them in a paper sack with wood ash, and toss. Lay them on a sheet until they dry out.
Till the ground, and push to the side all the extra dirt.
Plop em in the ground, and lightly cover.
Go out every night after work and cover the potatoes with more dirt as the sprouts sprout. Keep piling dirt until the pile gets to be a foot high, piling around the sprouts.
Then leave them alone, aside from watering.
When the sprouts die off and wither, wait one week, and then harvest with a fork, and dig up the potatoes. No need for digging.