Can I go higher??

[pandasyard]

Here are my potatoes, they were planted about 2/3 weeks a go and I have been topping it up every time the plant showed a bit, I wondered if I could go another tyre high or not? I seem to have that if the plant gets big out of the compost you cant go higher anymore (haven't got a clue where that came from just what I seem to think) Obviously I want the best harvest of them so if I go higher I will happily do seeing as I got 12 more tyres today!

[Martin H]

I've never grown in tyres but my feeling would be that it's time to let the poor things see some daylight and start photosynthesising.

I daresay an expert will be along shortly though.

[Penellype]

I agree with Martin - its all very well giving them masses of soil to grow in, but you need foliage in order to make the potatoes. I would be letting them develop some greenery so they can make the best of the long summer days.

[Lumpy]

No not an expert but how deep into the bottom tyre did you place your tatties? Last year I had a go at 3 tyre tats after placing the seed spud on the top of the compost on the first tyre then putting the second tyre on top with a bit more MPC.

[pandasyard]

Martin H and Penellype - I know what you mean, to be honest I think I'll leave theses ones now and maybe plant another lot asap.

Lumpy - About the same as you described. I saw it somewhere on a program a few years ago and stuck with it in my head. How did 3 tyres turn out?

[Lumpy]

I think it was a bit of a struggle for the plants but I have very thick tyres, some are more than 12in deep but they did OK.

Go on be a dibble and have a go and see what happens.

[Snadger]

You could always put another tyre around anyway but don't fill it with compost unless you get a lot of top growth when you can gently add more compost!

[Snow]

I'd enjoy seeing 13 tyre potato plants and see how they do. But you'd have to start earlier in the year I think. Ok, 13 may be a hazard, but seriously, would love to see 5 or 6 tyres and find out what happens.

[pandasyard]

I think it was a bit of a struggle for the plants but I have very thick tyres, some are more than 12in deep but they did OK.

Go on be a dibble and have a go and see what happens.

You could always put another tyre around anyway but don't fill it with compost unless you get a lot of top growth when you can gently add more compost!

Is it possible to do now even though the plant is out a few inches? I wouldn't want to ruin them, I will plant more as I have a couple more seed potatoes left anyway.

[pandasyard]

I'd enjoy seeing 13 tyre potato plants and see how they do. But you'd have to start earlier in the year I think. Ok, 13 may be a hazard, but seriously, would love to see 5 or 6 tyres and find out what happens.

I actually have 2 stacks of 6 high tyres at the minute in the garden, its quite tall lol. Sounds like a good challenge for next year though, I will be happy to give it a go, when would you suggest starting??

[Lumpy]

If you have spare tyres how about using them for strawberrie (I have a 4 tyre strawb mountain), bush pumpkin, courgettes etc. From experience it works quite well.

[pandasyard]

I will be using them next year, my strawberries are currently in a jam/maslin pan resting on a chimney pot but I do have another little idea for them, the tyre mountain sounds good though. 6 tyres are reserved for the tato tower haha. Haven't got much time to grow now but am getting everything ready for early next year so all ideas are great, I have a supply of tyres anytime and its free so I will use them where possible.