potatoes in need of help

[fairyandthetroll]

ok so its our first year and well we rented the bramble patch from hell.We cleared it.We loved it.We planted it................
So we are novices.We are so chuffed at our courgettes,our runner beans,broad beans.rhubarb.perpetual spinach( which we share with the caterpillars.BUT.....................................The potatoes.............................................The plants turned a yellowy colour,and the potato has holes in them or in some cases are turned completly to mush on the inside.I have read about wire worm and slug damage but is this it????
We have had a few spud that are ok but..............
Im not grumbling though as we were not expecting anything in our first year.
Happy lottying folks
any ideas by the way ;D

[fairyandthetroll]

[tim]

So sad - wish I could help.

[Robert_Brenchley]

That sounds like wireworm, and no doubt a few other nasties as well. I had a similar situation with my plot, and it took several years to really get on top of it. Now at last, I'm finally getting decent potatoes, but it's been a long haul. Just don't lose heart; keep going and get the weeds out. The horrible things will disappear in time.

[ellkebe]

This was my first year too, and like you we planted potatoes without many expectations (especially as organic so smorgasbord time for the slugs  ;D)  I only put in 12 or so plants just to see their cycle and have the ground in use.  Sure enough practically all were eaten by slugs, although blight stayed off, even though I only harvested them last weekend.  But we've had at least three meals off them now, and they were stunningly good.  They're the one crop that has made OH think the lottie is worthwhile  ;D  I've even caught him looking at the seed potatoes in the catalogues!  So, persevere ...

[redimp]

I have wire worm and slug damage and have even found some cavaties poluted by wood lice - but none of the problems amount to a disaster and I am still happy with my lot.  The yellowing just sounds like the haulms dying off to me and the damage to the potatoes sounds like wire worm and/or slug damage and rot that has set in because of the damage - also a rotten seed potato can be left behind.

[jennym]

I had the same problem when I first started on land that had been left for a while - the wireworms build up, make little holes in the potatoes, then the slugs get in and so on.  You will find that it gets better each year as you work the soil. Honest it will!
I don't use any chemicals and after 5 years get enough poatoes to feed the 3 of us for most of the year.

[fairyandthetroll]

cheers to all for the replies.
I am not disheatened this year as we never expected much as still working the soil and getting the bramble out. Yep i think its wire worm then. Do the lava stay in the soil for years then and does anyone recomend the organic approach to their extinction.
Wow i love my lotty so much we now have a second plot which we are hoping to grow fruit on. ;)
What we have harvested from our site this year has been the tastyest produce ever.Its a taste of satisfaction and healthy living i think.
Happy lottying to all ;D :-* ;D

[powerspade]

I had problems with wire worm my first year, I planted agricultural mustard as a green manure. The wire worm loved it, and then exploded - thats the effect it had on the little darlings so now i have no problems

[supersprout]

Exloding wireworms! Love it! ;D ;D ;D

[DERYCK32]

When did you sow the mustard