Topic: How do you do it...?

[undercarriage plan]

Advice please!! Is it a family secret? A code book I've yet to read?  Genetic? On back of pack!!  ??? What is the secret of how to dig up potatoes, without putting your fork through every single **** one!!!! A very frustrated Lottie ( with, I may add, very holey potatoes.... : ::))

[jennym]

You can get special potato forks, that don't have sharp prongs. Nind you, don't know if they work, never used one.

[Anne Robertson]

I know how you feel. I forked six yesterday even though I was careful :'(
Still, they tasted fab. anyway ;D

[undercarriage plan]

You so right, taste wonderful! I try so hard to avoid them, but every time I put that fork in.......!! Lottie ;D

[Icyberjunkie]

Have you ver watched archeology programs.  All you needs a toothbrush, a little air puffer and about one week to harvest each potato.......guaranteed no fork holes though  ;)

[Roy Bham UK]

If you have been earthing up you dig from the bottom of the 'V' and lift ::) Well that's what I do and it seems to work 8)

[Dirkdigger]

Dive in with me hands, much more fun!!! ;D ;D

[undercarriage plan]

Iain, need therapy!! I know someone........  ;D Lottie

[Robert_Brenchley]

The spuds tend to be close to the surface, immediately under the plant. If you can start a foot or spo away from the stem, and get underneath them, you won't split too many. There will always be the odd one.

[weedgrower]

lottie
put the fork in the groung about 12-18 inches away from the stalk of the plant and angle it slightly towards the plant. dig down deep and lift the plant out with your other hand. this works for me

[Moggle]

I do the same as weedgrower and Robert, start a foot or so away and hope for the best. Lifted a couple of dozen plants this way, and so far only speared one :)

[tim]

I always thought that flat tined forks were to help in lifting??

We live & learn.

[Derekthefox]

My approach seems to agree with the majority, start well away from plant and work in slowly. However, I dont actually dig the potatoes up, I use the fork to lift the plant a couple of inches, loosening the soil, then lift the plant by hand, and using dirkdiggers tactile method, dive in and grab the tatties!

Lovely feeling, getting hands into soil!

[Aussie Chick]

Could we chit the speared potatoes and plant them again for Christmas spuds?

[Marianne]

When I used to grow potatoes (mind you, not a lot of them), I always used to dig them up by hand, working around the plant with a little shovle in order to protect the spuds.  But if you have a lot of them, this procedure would take a lot of time, too much time ! Good luck Lottie.  ;D :D

[undercarriage plan]

Thanks all, thinking of getting earth mover and just getting the lot out in one fell swoop.....!!!! Or may try forking away from them.  I don't where gloves either, Derek, can't deal with gloves, have to feel soil, unless, of course, my cat has visited plot first!! Lottie  ;)