pure manure

[bridget mc laughlin]

Would it be possible to grow potatoes in pure manure in bags as i have loads of it more than my plot can hold.

[ginger ninger]

I'm no expert but I'd say no.

[Snadger]

As long as its old and well rotted I can't see why not. A bit of BFB around the seed tatties would help to give them a good start.

I often have tatties sprouting in my compost heap in pure, homemade compost.

[Holmsie71]

Solway Cropper gave me this advice in 'Spuds in Dung' thread below:


'Potatoes are quite a hungry crop and rotted manure doesn't contain much in the way of plant nutrients. It's value lies more in the help it gives to soil structure and its ability to aid water retention. I'd certainly mix it with something else AND add a good helping of a balanced fertilizer such as blood fish and bone or growmore. You can also get specialized potato fertilizers but these can be expensive.

A mistake that many people make is in thinking that manure and compost are fertilizers. They are not, although they do have some nutrients.'

[Holmsie71]

Pardon my ignorance but what is BFB?

[Holmsie71]

Blood, Fish & Bone. Stupid me........

[gojiberry]

I find that freshly manured ground gives rise to potato scab, which is not a serious problem as it is removed when the potato is peeled. Not so good if you want jacket or new boiled potatoes though. You might be able to compensate against scab if you can get hold of plenty of grass clippings to use as a mulch.

Ian

[Aberdeenplotter]

Would it be possible to grow potatoes in pure manure in bags as i have loads of it more than my plot can hold.

Never tried it but my instict says no. If fym gets wet it turns into sludge and that excludes air from the soil and the plants would effectively drown. However, my instinct also says give it a try. If it works, let us know

[bridget mc laughlin]

I was going to give it a try with 2 or 3 bags as a bit of an experiment i will let use know how i get on.

[Two_Sheds]

I find that freshly manured ground gives rise to potato scab

That's interesting, because scab thrives in alkaline ground. The only way I can grow scab-free spuds is in buckets of leafmould or mpc