Potatoes on my allotment

[Reks]

Hi,
I chitted and planted 2 varities of potatoes 2 weeks back, one second early and other main crop plus few Jeruselam Artichokes. So far no leaves to be seen. When can I expect to see some leaves. Am I getting worried for no reason?

[bluemoon]

They take a while, but you can probably expect to see the first shoots any time now, though I've known it take a month, I think a lot depends upon the weather. They tend to have a bit of a staggered start too, so this time next week you'll probably be worrying that only two or three are going to grow, but they will all come through eventually, promise. They go pretty fast once they're away though, so don't panic. And look on the bright side, the longer they take, the less chance of a late frost turning them to mush.

[Reks]

oh thanks so much, I do feel much relieved now Also wanted to ask that I dug ridges and planted the potatoe and then covered them with soil. The plan was to slowly gather soil into the ridge from the sides (that are raise like little mountains) as the leave show. Is that the right way to do. I have seen plots where owner have planted potato and covered it with a heap of soil and others who have flat beds so no ridge shape to be seen. Is one method better than the other.

[Sanjo]

If I understand you Reks, you have already earthed up the spuds (by growing them on a ridge?) How deep in that ridge did you put them? The deeper they are, the slower they will be to emerge, but rest assured, emerge they will.
Once they do, you will be forever earthing them up. I have some in the ground under cardboard, manure and grass clippings. I just top up the grass when I have enough, or when the neighbours cut their grass.
As you have already noticed, there are a few ways of doing spuds. None of them wrong, just different.
As the leaves emerge, just drag the soil up from the base of the plant to make your ridge higher. It's done partly to protect the leaves from a late frost and also to prevent any surface spuds from going green.

[Reks]

so I can use grass clippings too to cover up the spuds! that is good tip. the ridge is some 5 inches deep I think.

[Sanjo]

so I can use grass clippings too to cover up the spuds! that is good tip. the ridge is some 5 inches deep I think.

Just make sure that you don't pile the clippings on too deeply to start with Rek as they will heat up and "scorch" the foliage.
Let first couple of inches dry a bit first before adding more.
Also, best to put them on after watering/rain to help conserve any moisture.

[tootles]

All my spuds (first early, second early and main) have taken three weeks from planting to make an appearance. They were all well chitted too. I have one variety Vitelotte which have yet to show.

[jacob marley]

so I can use grass clippings too to cover up the spuds! that is good tip. the ridge is some 5 inches deep I think.

You only really need to cover them if frost is expected give them a chance to grow....jacob

[teakdesk]

I agree with Jacob... the shoots have fought their way into sunlight to give a much needed blast of photo-synthesis to the plant.

It is obvious that some people here cover them up immediately but to me that is like pushing a drowning man back under water as soon as his head gets into the air!!!!!

But it works for them so it must also work that way.

I prefer to leave the shoots in the light and let them grow to perhaps 4 inches tall and then only earth up half of this height.

You can temporarily cover the shoots with fleece or straw or grass clippings to protect from frost though but I'd remove it once the frost danger has passed to let the plant see daylight again.


And becareful using grass clippings - if you've ever left lumps of grass clippings on a lawn for a week or so you will find the lawn dead underneath when you remove them!!!!!

[Reks]

Thanks for all the responses. I saw some green shoots yesterday and was jumping with joy. Will keep a close on them and the weather.