Earthing up potatoes

[bluecar]

I planted my earlies and earthed up at the same time so I am assuming I will only need to do a top up. The rest I need to earth up. Would there be any problem or would it be beneficial to use well rotted manure as the earthing up material?

I look forward to your replies

[bluecar]

[goodlife]

The first earlier should not need top up..unless the spuds start showing through..you'll be digging them up soon...  ;D  As for the rest..you can use manure if you've got spare but it is not necessary..
At the moment I use green stuff around potatoes..like grass clipping..it is better than nothing and my compost bins are full so time being it used around there..gives worms something to do..
By all means use manure.. it is luxury stuff for the job and potatoes will love every bit of it..and it will do good for the soil too...

[antipodes]

I earthed mine up once but now I don't have enough soil to do it! So I mulch the whole spud bed heavily with straw. It keeps the weeds down (except bindweed but there's nowt to do about that) and keeps the ground nice and cool underneath.

[nilly71]

I earthed mine up once but now I don't have enough soil to do it! So I mulch the whole spud bed heavily with straw. It keeps the weeds down (except bindweed but there's nowt to do about that) and keeps the ground nice and cool underneath.

Does the straw rot down or do you have to clear the beds before digging the pots up?

Neil

[goodlife]

Straw will eventually rot down and it can be dug in when potatoes and dug out..straw does good for the soil stucture.... ;D