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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Digitalis on April 27, 2009, 13:31:56

Title: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Digitalis on April 27, 2009, 13:31:56
My spuds are now coming up- do I need to earth them up yet, or do I wait a while? If so, how high should they be when I earth them up?

(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o246/cosmoanddibs/100_1789.jpg)
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: delboy on April 27, 2009, 14:54:11
Earthing up can be anytime once they show above ground, but I would wait and see if any frosts are due, otherwise I would leave them to get to 6-9" before earthing them.

Spuds form on the haulms which have been covered as well as from the main stem, so earthing up does many good things - stops the spuddlies going green; gives us exercise; helps to work my clay soil...
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: cornykev on April 27, 2009, 15:25:51
Now and every 4/5 inches of growth or as Delboy says cover if frosts are due.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: mick-64 on April 27, 2009, 19:07:46
earthing up... ???

how do you do that?
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: muddylou on April 27, 2009, 22:59:36
Quote from: delboy on April 27, 2009, 14:54:11
Earthing up can be anytime once they show above ground, but I would wait and see if any frosts are due, otherwise I would leave them to get to 6-9" before earthing them.

Spuds form on the haulms which have been covered as well as from the main stem, so earthing up does many good things - stops the spuddlies going green; gives us exercise; helps to work my clay soil...

Thanks for that, I now understand something people have been trying to explain to me for quite a while.. :)
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Digitalis on April 28, 2009, 12:03:11
How wide do the 'mounds' need to be?

My soil is covered with leaf mold, so I can't get to the it unless I disrupt the leaves.  ??? Can I earth up with loam?
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: manicscousers on April 28, 2009, 16:30:19
we earth up with leaves  ;D
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Tee Gee on April 28, 2009, 16:39:03
QuoteCan I earth up with loam?

Yes! There is no need to move the leaves just place the loam on top of them.
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: tim on April 28, 2009, 18:34:28
Soil covered with Leaf Mould.

Second Heaven??
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Digitalis on April 30, 2009, 15:59:53
Quote from: tim on April 28, 2009, 18:34:28
Soil covered with Leaf Mould.

Second Heaven??

;D

I'm making progress.......thanks to you guys and gals!
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Digitalis on May 01, 2009, 16:44:44
Do the mounds only need to be as wide/high as the haulms/leaves?
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: grannyjanny on May 02, 2009, 07:23:07
Our potatoes are on a bed of well rotted FYM, when we earth them up would it be of any benefit to sprinkle some chicken manure pellets on the soil.
Janet
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 02, 2009, 16:03:06
Quote from: tim on April 28, 2009, 18:34:28
Soil covered with Leaf Mould.

Second Heaven??

Hard work. All the barrowing and forking does my back in far worse than digging!
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: Justy on May 03, 2009, 13:20:45
I have just earthed up my little babies. Should I do them again when they poke through again? When is it best to just let them get on and grow?
Title: Re: When to earth up spuds?
Post by: artichoke on May 03, 2009, 21:35:37
I am throwing buckets of home made compost over my spuds. And cut grass, and nettles, and comfrey and old leaves and everything else I can think of.

Not only will the spuds like it, but I am expecting later veg to benefit too. Earthing up kills weeds, encourages potatoes, feeds later crops, improves the soil and is wholly beneficial.
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