potato scab :(

[meg_gordon]

As to meg_gordon`s postings I am a little confused.  In the first she says the potatoes were grown in bags of compost, but in the second she refers to a second barrel.

Sorry about the confusion Kepouros - I have 8 large plastic barrels - about a metre in diameter each and I used bags of compost all from the same place, so I meant they were grown in compost from bags as opposed to compost from my compost bin.

But even if the compost was the same the effect of the alkalinity on the plants can also vary according to the moisture level of the compost.

I watered daily (unless it was raining) so each got roughly the same amount of moisture and they were all together - in the same area - but thanks for the suggestions.

Meg

 

[meg_gordon]

[rog_pete]

thanks for the advice Kepouros

I think it is going to be a combination as you suggested, being new to allotmenting and taking on a new plot where I had no knowledge of what had gone where before has proved to be very hit and miss!  I know for next year what is going where and have my rotation all sorted out, so next year will be cracking!

It has been very dry and I did not water enough, so that has def brought the scab out more!

I shall be Ph testing my soil... what is a good Ph value to be at?  I think from memory most of my soil is around 6

[Kepouros]

rog_pete, pH 6 is definitely on the acid side - 6.5 would be better for vegetables.  However, are you sure that it is naturally 6, or is this the reading just after you`ve manured?  Manure will lower the pH quite sharply at first, but this is only temporary.  In  practice whatever (within reason) you put on your soil to alter the pH, the soil will slowly return to its normal natural pH level as whatever it was you added is slowly oxidised or neutralised.

[rog_pete]

I had put nothing on the soil, this was what the ph test said back i december when I had taken the plot on... so I do not know if it had had any treatment or not before I did the test

maybe I need to look into this more and get the Ph better... another test at the weekend maybe in order

I think the overall quality of soil is good, its a good texture and structure and clearly grows well, just need to make my technique and knowledge better :)

[Kepouros]

If you`re relying on a pH meter attached to a probe don`t just stick the probe into the ground and read the meter.  Take proper samples from several inches down and mix each one into a paste with water and then test them with the probe; that way you will get a much truer reading.