Hi
I grew potatoes on a small plot next to our raised beds last year and wondered if it would be ok to grow them in the same place this year, I know you should rotate every year but what is the general opinion.
Thanks
hiya, gavin, welcome to the site ;D
I don't know about anyone else but they take so much goodness out of the soil, we wouldn't do it ,
Am defo not an expert (havent grown anything yet!) but was reading a book this morning that said to rotate them to reduce the risk of getting blight or eel worms that can grow on the potatoes and come back the following year if you keep giving them their favorite dinner.
I'll stick my neck out here and say you should be OK provided that you use quality seed stock and the previous years crop did not suffer from disease.
As manicscousers said, last years crop would have depleted the goodness in the soil but being a good gardener you will have replemished that.
Welcome to the site anyway Gavin... :)
I would move them - for reasons listed above.. Welcome to the site.
Keep rotating Gavin, you don't want diseases building up. ;D ;D ;D
Also, if you have ground that hasn't been as cultivated, they're great for breaking it up. Although I have to say that's more likely to be caused by all the digging and earthing up, but it does help the following year. ;D
Hi Gavin,
Blight is an air borne disease so you should maybe look to be spraying the crop at the correct time with either
Bordeaux or Diathane 945.
rotate them to a different spot if you have the option - other wise trench plant and put a good layer of well rotted manure under them - and buy decent quality seed potatoes.