Lifting Spuds.

[Emagggie]

Please can anyone tell me how to lift spuds without spearing them with my fork? I've spoilt far too many today. Is there a technique to this??

[Emagggie]

[queenbee]

Short of using an xray machine, no there is no solution. Sorry, yes there is, use your hands. I am sure that in the next couple of weeks you can find a use for all the speared one's. I use them for mashed potatoes. 

[saddad]

Start digging further out from the haulm... some varieties spread a long way, others stay close so be more selective of your varieties... or just make a lot more mash...  :-*

[Emagggie]

How can I tell which spread and which don't saddad? Is there some info I can read? Good job we like mash here ;D
Queenbee I would grovel for the spuds but my fingernails are filthy enough at the best of times. (one of those jobs I think I'll do later then forget about till it's too late and I'm out somewhere... ::))

[queenbee]

Know what you mean about fingernails, mine are dyed brown with compost. Takes ages to get them clean for work. I do a bit of bleaching ie teatowels etc.

[Digeroo]

I am also a failure at digging spuds.  However careful I am I seem to spear them.  I try to start some way from the potato and work away from me.  Doesn't work.

Nails - I cut myself very badly on the finger a few weeks ago and have taken to gloves for the first time ever.  Does keep the nails clean but find weeding difficult.

[saddad]

It is in the blurb in things like Alan Roman's potato guides or the "Book of the Potato" but isn't very well publicised. As a rule of thumb newer varieties stay closer to the stems.. even farmers manage to "spear" some when machine digging so breeders like to have the tubers closer to the plant...  :-\

[taurus]

 
As daft as it sounds I find washing my hair cleans my nails best.
It must be the grey hair makes a good nail brush  ::) ::)
You could make wedges for a change with what ever seasoning take your fancy.
Or dare I say pipe the mash into duchess potatoes and freeze for Christmas. :o :o

[manicscousers]

we make potato cakes to freeze, Maggie,with speared spuds and onions that have gone soft  ;D

[BarriedaleNick]

What I do is to dig the first one out of the row as carefully as poss and I dig deeper\wider than i need - moving the soil into a barrow.  This provides a big enough space to dig under the spuds of the secong plant moving the soil back in to hole left by the first and then move on to the third etc.  I got a whole row up yesterday with no damage and it gives the soil a good turn - all the mulching I put on the spuds is truned over into the soil.. win win!

[Digeroo]

As daft as it sounds I find washing my hair cleans my nails best.

Not so daft it works well for me too.

[cornykev]

I used to spear quite a few, but I do the same as Barriedalenick, but  I keep it to myself as some of my neighbours leave their offcuts behind and tell me to help myself, naughty I know but nice.    :-X   :P     ;D ;D ;D      ;)

[Emagggie]

Thanks all for the info. Most informative. Taurus, you dared to mention the 'C' word... NOoooooo..not yet :o
but the wedges sound a good idea as do the potato cakes Mal.
I must say I don't feel such a spud lifting failure knowing I am not alone. ;D
I have taken special note of saddad's and BDnick's advice for next year.
Now I'm concerned that the shampoo used in the nail cleaning process is stripping the oils from your hair too, ladies.  ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I start digging a good foot from the stems, then go from the dug bit towards the undug. I still spear the occasional one, but no more than that.