Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: ice on July 12, 2006, 18:16:44

Title: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: ice on July 12, 2006, 18:16:44
I'm growing potatoes using the 'no dig' method -covering ground with newspaper, poking the seed potatoes through a hole and mulching with whatever comes to hand- woodchip, annual weeds, lawn mowings etc. My 2nd Earlies are yielding a fantastic crop and I'm now wondering whether to use all the pulled-up foliage to mulch my main crop potatoes, as I'm running short of mulching materials. Can anyone think of a reason not to do this? The foliage I've pulled up is not affected by any disease.
thanks
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: supersprout on July 12, 2006, 22:16:15
In those circumstances, I can't think of a single reason not to do it!  ;D
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: katynewbie on July 12, 2006, 22:17:40
Sounds very interesting ice...any chance of a pic?
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: ermck1 on July 16, 2006, 00:35:13
Would also love to see a picture.

Did you need to slug pellet under the paper?

Mike
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: supersprout on July 16, 2006, 08:24:24
yes yes piccies please ice :)
Have you come across Ruth Stout? If you're into no-dig ...
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/simple_homesteading/60401
::)
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: dingerbell on July 16, 2006, 10:45:05
Facinating article, I'm always interested in alternative cropping methods. The most interesting one recently is regarding the use of powdered rock. The results are extraordinary.
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: dingerbell on July 16, 2006, 10:52:13
http://www.seercentre.org.uk/
You have to read this article on soil regeneration...quite amazing
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: Money_Bunny on July 16, 2006, 11:20:21
Quote from: supersprout on July 16, 2006, 08:24:24
yes yes piccies please ice :)
Have you come across Ruth Stout? If you're into no-dig ...
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/simple_homesteading/60401
::)

Great article, I read with interest and have decided to try that on an area of our plot that's currently empty. Sounds brilliant for backache sufferers.

Thanks for the link SS  :D
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: saddad on July 16, 2006, 12:44:47
Thanks for the link Dingerbell, I had read a short article and was interested enough to want to read further.
;D
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: supersprout on July 16, 2006, 13:26:54
More mulching this morning ...
from this
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/20060711_0016.jpg)

to this
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/IMG_0097.jpg)

That feels so much better!  :P :)
More mad mulch snaps at http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=57&/topic,22395.msg221843/topicseen.html#new ;)
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 16, 2006, 16:09:37
Ooo, I want spent hops!
Title: Re: mulching potatoes...with potatoes?
Post by: supersprout on July 16, 2006, 19:46:29
Sad story E-J - we used to get all we wanted from one of the regulars who works at the local brewery. His firm have decided it's too much trub, and are now throwing it into a skip, from where ... who knows? So this season is my last mega-mulch with them :'( :'( :'(