Allotments 4 All

Hi All
  got a new plot, weeded and dug to a spade depth (now nice and soft )
when i plant my potatoes would it be best to trench or dig holes. ???

Hi topman

I don't bury potatoes, I just lay them on top and cover with seaweed...........................but I have lots of seaweed.

Quote from: Bjerreby on February 10, 2009, 12:27:58
Hi topman

I don't bury potatoes, I just lay them on top and cover with seaweed...........................but I have lots of seaweed.

thanks but i live in london so not to easy to get hold of seaweed

If you have already manured / fed your soil, then planting holes are fine, however, if you intend to manure as you plant, then a trench is the easiest method.
rgds, tony

Quote from: tonybloke on February 10, 2009, 12:35:44
If you have already manured / fed your soil, then planting holes are fine, however, if you intend to manure as you plant, then a trench is the easiest method.
rgds, tony

Thanks Tonybloke
already manured last october so it looks like holes might be O.K

I've both deep and shallow trenched and also dibbed them in (having dug in composted manure earlier). It's easier to harvest from a shallow trench that has subsequently been earthed up but otherwise I can't say I've noticed any difference.  An experienced allotmenteer nearby with quite deep raised beds has always dibbed holes and dropped in the seed potatoes.

If you do drop them into holes don't forget to check regularly to see if you need to earth up just to make sure no growing spuds are exposed to sunlight (I got caught out last year because the rain and watering washed some of the top soil to one side).

Quotewhen i plant my potatoes would it be best to trench or dig holes

Either / or

Normally I form holes with a bulb planter ( see planting out in the link below)

Because I didn't get my winter 'mucking' done last year I will plant in the mucked trench prior to backfilling  ( shown in soil preparation in the link below}



http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Potatoes/Potatoes.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Potatoes/Potatoes.htm)

Which method you choose may depend on the state of your soil.

My plot had been left uncared for for several years prior to my taking it over in December 2006. In the circumstances, I've thought it best to dig trenches for my potatoes, with a layer of manure in the bottom, as a way of improving soil structure and texture. This has given me two successive years of good crops.

Once I've grown potatoes in all parts of the plot in this way, following my rotation plan, I'm expecting the soil to be in such good condition that I can use the "manure top dressing + dibber" method for my potatoes from then on.

I use the trench method, because I fill with manure and top it up with loads of shredded newspaper, wetted and then I nestle the potato seed in the paper...back fill and watch, wait and hope they grow well.  ;D

I do the same for my Beans (French and Runners), Courgettes, Pumpkins, Cukes and Tomatoes also.

I'M A SHRED-A-HOLIC  :o

I set the spuds out on the surface, bury them with a trowel, and cover with gseveral inches of dead leaves or grass cuttings.

I have a 5" diameter post hole digger  and was thinking of boring holes about 6" deep, then backfilling when needed.

Neil

I only trenched my spuds when it was new ground, I now dig out with a trowel, plant and backfill with manure/ leave mould and grass cuttings.  ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Lauren S on February 10, 2009, 15:49:54

I'M A SHRED-A-HOLIC  :o

Me too!  8)

Hi,I was at a gardening talk last year and the speaker was talking about how he grew spuds.
He puts them in oles in the ground and when the tubers appear he covers em wif straw .
Then lets the tubers grow through the straw.
The  straw acts as a  mulch and weed suppressant and by the time the spuds are ready, has rotted down.
After you have lifted your spuds,dig in the rotted straw as a manure for next years crop  :) :) :)

Hi Topman,
I trench, but fill the bottom of the trench with wetted, shredded newspaper and grass cuttings.  The grass is supposed to help against scab but does nothing in the fight agains slugs though!
Lance

Quote from: lancelotment on February 11, 2009, 17:46:45
Hi Topman,
I trench, but fill the bottom of the trench with wetted, shredded newspaper and grass cuttings.  The grass is supposed to help against scab but does nothing in the fight agains slugs though!
Lance

Thanks all
I have decided to do half & half just to see if there is any difference.
TOPMAN

Thanks all
I have decided to do half & half just to see if there is any difference.
TOPMAN
[/quote]

Excellent idea  :)  Please let us all know the outcome.

I have done both and never noticed the difference.  For me, time is now an issue, so holes and drop the spud in is quicker.