I've decided to try and grow my spuds under plastic this year as I find earthing up very tiring with my heart condition. Has anyone done this or does this? I can't find any clear instructions on what to do. Any help or advise greatly appreciated, I intend to grow first, second and main like this.
Thanks
jo xx
I haven't done it JC, so i'll wait a bit to see what others say before I just prattle on about the theory..
::)
Hi JC, hope this helps, this is one of the ways i grow my potatoes as i suffer from back problems, i get my son to place the BP on the area where the potatoes are going to grow, then mark out three rows, dig trenches a double the depth of a spade and fill with WRM-Compost, WATER AREA WELL, replace the BP turn soil onto the edges to stop BP from blowing away, make small cuts in BP where potatoes grow through, next year the rows --trenches can be used for beans -peas etc,
(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1710/blpotsmg6.th.jpg) (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=blpotsmg6.jpg)
hope this helps
windy
that's how we did it, hope you get good crops ;D
But don't leave then any longer than you need to, slugs see the warmth under BP with potatoes to eat as their version of the Ritz!
Phil
Thats why I stick to the digging version Phil, I can just imagine them slimy little cretins having a field day. >:( ;D ;D ;D
Anyone tried using nematodes with this method? Although thinking about it, by the time the soil warms up enough to use them, you would have to water them in through the holes in the plastic....could be awkward! :-\
so would it not be very good for a main crop??