Potato Spacing

[bluecar]

Hello all.

I just wondered whether there was some reason that the advice to plant potatoes (and many other crops is often closer together within the rows and for the rows to be further apart? For example potatoes are normally quoted as to be planted approximately 40cms apart in the rows, but to space the rows 75cms apart.

A similar equidistant planting would be approximately 55cms by 55cms.

Just curious as to the rationale for the closer within and the longer between rows.

Regards

Bluecar

[bluecar]

[Beersmith]

An interesting question. And I really have no answer.

But I'll be following the comments with interest because now you have the issue I find myself intrigued.

My only vague guess would be that it might relate to access between the rows to allow for watering weeding and harvesting?

[Digeroo]

Presume space between rows is for earthing up.   I also put manure between the rows, since I no longer trust the stuff to touch the actual roots and it is contains anything nasty it has a change to neutralise in the soil before the plant gets near it.  And that way the manure also acts as a mulch.

[terrier]

Definitely earthing up. When I first started growing I would plant closer rows to save space but quickly found out that earthing up was nigh impossible.

[bluecar]

Thanks.

Earthing up would  seem to be the reason for the potato spacing, but what about some brassicas where they recommend around 45 - 60cms by 60cms - 75cms. I know the spacing isn't quite as big a difference but it's still not an equidistant between them. Many other veg have the same variance between in-row and between row. Even  radish has a suggestion of about 8cm by 30cms - perhaps this one is the ease of sowing in a row?

Regards

Bluecar

[johhnyco15]

to me its a moisture and airflow  if rows were tighter spaced there would be less moisture in the soil so crops would reach their  max size and wider rows gives better airflow so less prone to disease this is my take on it hope this helps

[johhnyco15]

to me its a moisture and airflow  if rows were tighter spaced there would be less moisture in the soil so crops would reach their  max size and wider rows gives better airflow so less prone to disease this is my take on it hope this helps

whoops not reach their max size should have gone to spec savers

[laurieuk]

I plant leaving the soil flat so that I have plenty of soil when it comes to earthling up. You need plenty of space how ever you plant. There was during the war an idea of growing brassicas between but it never really got going. I plant flat as it saves moving all the soil into a neat ridge so that the potatoes can grow out of the side.

[Plot 18]

The extra space between rows allows for cultivation access.
If you can weed, feed (and earth up in the case of potatoes) without needing access - such as in a raised bed, then you can plant with equal distance between plants and rows.

[johhnyco15]

my early charlotte are doing well in their bags

[Tee Gee]

my early charlotte are doing well in their bags

Snap!

My Charlottes are in a bag as well.....a string bag!

[johhnyco15]

my early charlotte are doing well in their bags

Snap!

My Charlottes are in a bag as well.....a string bag!

is that one of them new air pot/bag thingy

[Tee Gee]

is that one of them new air pot/bag thingy

Something like that 

Will plant them out in a more traditional manner next week, weather permitting!

[johhnyco15]

my 2 rows of earlies are now all up to the top of the pot no more 'earthing up ' 2nd earlies are about a week behind then they will be at the top main crop around 2 weeks behind that

[Paulh]

Mine are up - and got frosted. Still, I expect they'll survive.