Covering potato foliage

[lspittles]

I am growing some potatoes (Maris Peer) for the first time and they are producing some nice foliage which I am covering with compost as it grows. However, (dumb question coming) is there a point at which you stop covering up and just let it grow? I read that the spuds are ready to lift when the plants flower but I am concerned that I may cover the flowers up.

Lesley

[Peter]

As the foliage by then should be around two foot long from the top of your earthing up, you'll be going it some.

[lspittles]

Gosh! Really? Yes, I can see that might be a problem. They've got some way to go then.

[terrier]

As you earth up, just leave the growing tip of the plant showing so you know where they are.

[jacob marley]

you do not say if you are growing in pots or out in the open if out in open it will cost a fortune in compost

[terrier]

I havn't tried growing potatoes in pots yet,I'm just trying some this year. 1 seed potato to a bucket as ordered by the experts. I'm using a mixture of 2 of soil to 1 of compost. The potatoes in the ground are in soil with no compost added.

[Alice]

Go with Peter, Ispittles. Your potatoes may not flower. But you'll know when they're ready. The foliage will start to die down.