Spud planting worries!

[spud57]

Hi there - I have just planted out my maincrop potatoes but I think I have done it wrong... The beds are quite narrow - only just over a metre - and I have planted them in 2 long rows but I didnt put them in a trench so now I am worried that there is no soil to earth up with! The rows are about half a metre apart only so I cant scrape up earth each side without risking exposing other tubers - should I just dig them all up again and replant?? please help!!

[jacob marley]

How deep have you planted them i always plant mine 8 inches deep ( dont do metric) and if you have planted deep enough you will not have to earth up much at all .
But if you have not you will have to import some from else where and a thick layer of lawn clippings will help jacob

[Flummery]

Or you could cover them with straw when they come through. You are only earthing up to protect from the frost and the light. Anything will do - even the dreaded black plastic, though that might make them hot.

[Vmax]

Hi there - I have just planted out my maincrop potatoes but I think I have done it wrong... The beds are quite narrow - only just over a metre - and I have planted them in 2 long rows but I didnt put them in a trench so now I am worried that there is no soil to earth up with! The rows are about half a metre apart only so I cant scrape up earth each side without risking exposing other tubers - should I just dig them all up again and replant?? please help!!

Hello, You can earth up with mulch, straw or bark chippings work. I used used straw from my Ducks house last year- worked a treat.....

[spud57]

I have plenty of hay and grass clippings so I will give that a go! Hopefully we wont get frost now, fingers crossed! Many many thanks for all the help!

[spud57]

I forgot to ask......... how deep should the mulch be?

[jacob marley]

I forgot to ask......... how deep should the mulch be?

As long as the spud's stick out of the top of it no need to worry jacob

[Two_Sheds]

You don't need to earth up spuds at all. There's no law on it!

I NEVER earth up - too much work.
Instead I mulch with grass clippings. As with any mulch, make sure you water thoroughly before you apply it, to trap the moisture in the soil where you want it.
Apply the grass clippings in no deeper than 2 inch layers at a time (or it will turn to stinky silage).

[spud57]

The grass clippings are definitely sounding like the way for me to go! Thank you for the help I dont know but I thought I had heard that pulling earth around the stems also improved the yield - not that I need more, the amount I've planted - is that true?