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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: foresterone on May 11, 2007, 15:46:05

Title: earthing up potatoes
Post by: foresterone on May 11, 2007, 15:46:05

what are the reasons for earthing up potatoes?

Title: Re: earthing up potatoes
Post by: tim on May 11, 2007, 15:48:54

Earthing up
Potatoes can be 'earthed up' as they grow, bringing soil up around the shoots. This helps control weeds, prevents the tubers turning green and gives some protection against tuber blight. Do it first when plants are around 15cm (6in) tall, leaving a couple of inches of foliage showing. Earth up again just before the foliage meets across the rows. On a closer spacing, earthing up will not be possible, but the plants will shade themselves anyway.

Alternatively, the plants can be mulched with a thick layer of hay, straw, leaf-mould or grass mowings. This will have the added benefit of conserving moisture.

Title: Re: earthing up potatoes
Post by: quizzical1 on May 11, 2007, 15:51:09

1.  The stems produce more roots when they are buried deeper. Greater crops?

2.  Any potatoes near or on the soil surface will go green, and contain alkaloids. Bitter tasting and potentially harmful?

Title: Re: earthing up potatoes
Post by: foresterone on May 11, 2007, 15:56:48

thanks I thought it had something to do with getting water to thhe tubers more easily