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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: rosebud on February 21, 2008, 23:55:34

Title: WATERING
Post by: rosebud on February 21, 2008, 23:55:34
  When we plant potatoes do i have to water them in?
hope that is not to daft a question. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: kt. on February 21, 2008, 23:59:49
I don't water spuds in as such. A layer of manure in the bottom of the trench, sometimes with a little shredded paper. (This acts as a reservoir and retains the moisture from manure and rainfall), then the spud with a touch more manure on top before earthing up. Once earthed up, a small sprinkle just to compact the soil a little.

There is adequate moisture in the manure, though watering won't do any harm.
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: GodfreyRob on February 22, 2008, 09:01:21
At this time of year (especially after all the rain we have had) the soil will usually hold plenty of moisture for a couple of months yet (spuds being planted several inches down). So unless you are on sandy, free-draining soil I would not worry about them until the next heat-wave!

Smaller seeds nearer the surface will need watching quite closely though - if/when the sun comes out the top inch or two can dry out quite quickly.
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: Deb P on February 22, 2008, 10:10:41
Quote from: rosebud on February 21, 2008, 23:55:34
  When we plant potatoes do i have to water them in?
hope that is not to daft a question. ;D ;D ;D

It's not a silly question, Saddad will tell you I asked him exactly the same thing last year when planting potatoes for the first time in the hot April we had........ ;D
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: rosebud on February 22, 2008, 23:29:39
Thank you for your replys peeps , i forgot to say that i am using those potatoe growingbags the large green ones.
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: Deb P on February 23, 2008, 10:32:02
Ah, in that case , anything in a container is reliant on you for water, so I would say yes, do an initial good soaking to get the compost nice and moist, then keep an eye on it and make sure it never dries out completely.
Title: Re: WATERING
Post by: Barnowl on February 25, 2008, 15:20:04
They also need regular feeding with a liquid fertiliser