potato earthing up - why?

**lainey lou** · 13-03-2008, 04:53 PM

to tease them?

**Cutecumber** · 13-03-2008, 05:47 PM

yeah, probably.

it's only fair

**brooklynodog** · 13-03-2008, 05:48 PM

I think its to encourage more stolon thingies

**Snadger** · 13-03-2008, 06:23 PM

I'm not an advocate of earthing tatties...........too much like hard work.

Sometimes think the farmers only earth them up to make them easier to lift with a machine!

**crichmond** · 13-03-2008, 06:26 PM

One reason for earthing up is that keeping the developing potato's covered from light stops them going green.

**Sue** · 13-03-2008, 07:31 PM

So.... does that mean if I'm planting some in my mulch and cardboard I can just leave them to it???
Sue

**smallblueplanet** · 13-03-2008, 07:37 PM

Yep, but keep an eye on them to check they're covered or they will, as crichmond says, go green.

**veg4681** · 13-03-2008, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by Cutecumber View Post

Ok, my question is why do we earth up potatoes grown in the ground - if it is to make sure the tubers and well covered, why not just plant them deeper?

And, why, when growing potatoes in containers is it suggested that we earth them up in stages - why not just fill up the container once you've planted the tubers? Does covering the stem repeatedly after it has reached the light make it produce more stolons (the bits with the potatoes on the end)?

Any explanations? I am thirsty for knowledge

I was puzzled that this earthing up is also suggested for growing potatoes in the ground, not just container. In fact only learned this morning when I read the growing instruction that came with my DT Brown's freebie seed potatoes. I never knew this approach until I joined the Vine. Many years ago, I planted my kitchen potatoes in the garden as they were sprouting wildly and boy they grew despite burying the potatoes (cut up with sprouts on) in the soil, except the slugs ate most of the potatoes. Oh yes, didn't do any fertilising either.

**Snadger** · 13-03-2008, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by veg4681 View Post

I was puzzled that this earthing up is also suggested for growing potatoes in the ground, not just container. In fact only learned this morning when I read the growing instruction that came with my DT Brown's freebie seed potatoes. I never knew this approach until I joined the Vine. Many years ago, I planted my kitchen potatoes in the garden as they were sprouting wildly and boy they grew despite burying the potatoes (cut up with sprouts on) in the soil, except the slugs ate most of the potatoes. Oh yes, didn't do any fertilising either.

Have you never been 'Tattie picking' when you were a bairn then veg4681?

50p a day and free bucket of spuds is what used to be the going rate.

Forgot to mention you got a free mug of sweet milky tea at noon, made with milk directly from the coo's teet, none of your pasteurised stuff!

Rows and rows of ridges from what I recall!
No ridges for me though, no dig and mulch, mulch, mulch equals clean spuds with no greenies!

**terrier** · 13-03-2008, 08:56 PM

I'd much rather dig spuds from a loose mound of earth above the soil level than have to dig them out of a hole in the ground where the soil is semi compacted. Try growing them in a compost heap, it works great!

**Paul Wagland** · 13-03-2008, 09:39 PM

Earthing up does all sorts of jobs. It makes the plants form more tubers (stolons eh? - ya learn something every day!), it stops the spuds going green in the sun (as Chris said), it kills young weed seedlings (as would any kind of soil movement) but most importantly at this time of year it protects the young leaves from frost. Potatoes will sulk very badly if they get frosted, and may refuse to give you any kind of crop at all (though some varieties are tougher than others).

**SarzWix** · 13-03-2008, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by Snadger View Post

Have you never been 'Tattie picking' when you were a bairn then veg4681?
50p a day and free bucket of spuds is what used to be the going rate.

Forgot to mention you got a free mug of sweet milky tea at noon, made with milk directly from the coo's teet, none of your pasteurised stuff!

Rows and rows of ridges from what I recall!
No ridges for me though, no dig and mulch, mulch, mulch equals clean spuds with no greenies!

Yeah Snadger, that brings back some memories

We used to go potato picking every year at a farm near Morpeth. A bloke my dad knew called George. Dunno if I ever knew his last name? We used to get paid a sack of spuds, and a barbeque afterwards with the other families who were there. Seemed like great fun to me, but me Mam always complained about her back afterwards!

**areia** · 14-03-2008, 08:15 PM

Have you never been 'Tattie picking' when you were a bairn then veg4681?
50p a day and free bucket of spuds is what used to be the going rate.
Forgot to mention you got a free mug of sweet milky tea at noon, made with milk directly from the coo's teet, none of your pasteurised stuff!
Rows and rows of ridges from what I recall!
No ridges for me though, no dig and mulch, mulch, mulch equals clean spuds with no greenies!

somones showing there age me thinks

**Two_Sheds** · 14-03-2008, 08:23 PM

I don't earth up at all, but I do mulch instead ... with grass clippings, which help to prevent scab. Works a treat: see my pic here: potato grass mulch on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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