Allotments 4 All

hiya evry1 ;D
we've just planted our tatty's last weekend in the Lawton Road allotments in Alsager  :D
the trenches we dug were about 15cm  :P
we were just wondering how deep your trenches were?  ???
get in touch  ;D :-* :) ;) :D 8) ::) :P
love psychedelica1960s xxx  ;D ;D ;D

Hi

I dug mine a spits depth (depth of spade) to allow for late frost.
Im in Henry street Crewe.

Gordon

i usually dig about a spades depth out then fork over the bottom so they have somewhere for the roots to go. by forking the bottom the trench gets a little shallower so you end up about 20cm

All mine - forgive the repeat - are at 4-5".

And, when I'm not in the mood for trenching, I just use a bulb planter.

Glad I am not the only one who found another use for the bulb planter Tim, it takes a lot of hard graft out of potato planting.

wish i could do that. But if i didnt dig the clay soil. they would just sit there in the little hole and not move anywhere

Judging by the mess made of my deep beds I have planted mine just slightly less deep that the average badger is inclined to dig out of general curiosity.

:) :) :)

6"

A spits depth and not all of them are fully filled with some of the soil waiting for signs of life.

Hi,

I dug my first and second earlies as far down as I could.  Many good spadefuls of huge lumps that refused to either line up or allow me to trench too much over the top. 

In short I had real problems - I am hoping that when (if?) the potatoes germinate  I will be in a better position to see where I need to trench and I can always take soil (lumps!!!!) from elsewhere if I need too.

Good luck with your potatoes - I am (equally encouraged by the mature cultivated plots at my allotment site) but a little downcast, but challenged, by my own.

Regards

Ann

I dug trenches a spade depth, then fluffed over the bottom with a fork ( I use the term "fluff" loosely, at one end it was solid clay and quite sticky) then used a trowel to dig a hole and filled the lot in. Probably the wrong thing to do, but old timers tell me that spuds WILL grow! Maybe we worry too much!

;)

A spit.
When the shoots appear, cover the trench with rotted manure/compost & earth up!
The spuds will live & develope in that.

Quote from: purple sprouting on April 23, 2006, 20:49:48
Hi,

I dug my first and second earlies as far down as I could.  Many good spadefuls of huge lumps that refused to either line up or allow me to trench too much over the top. 

In short I had real problems - I am hoping that when (if?) the potatoes germinate  I will be in a better position to see where I need to trench and I can always take soil (lumps!!!!) from elsewhere if I need too.

Good luck with your potatoes - I am (equally encouraged by the mature cultivated plots at my allotment site) but a little downcast, but challenged, by my own.

Regards

Ann

The potatoes should make your ground easier.  I have similar problems having taken my plot on last year but after four years (my full rotation) I am hoping it will get better.  It may take even less because everywhere I cultivated last year is mush easier this.  Unfortunately, did not use much of this years potato bed last year.

Good to hear that I'm not the only one who uses a bulb planter - can't be bothered with all that effort digging out 8 trenches, 6" deep.
;D

I use a trowel, then pile on the mulch at the spuds grow.

My PFAs went in holes 5-6" deep in well dug (so OH assured me) soil

I am never quite sure if this measurement should be from the bottom of the potato or the top - guess the tops were about 2-3" down.

No sign of life yet tho

I dibbed a hole just deep enough for the spud to fit in, covered it with approx 1" soil.....then piled on a couple of barrowloads of well rotted horse poo.   No digging until they're ready for the pot!!!!!!

I've decided to follow Mother Nature's example - she doesn't dig so I won't either unless I have too.

CC

Possibly, after reading all these replies, too deep.  ::)  But I was worried about potential frosts up here in the chilly North East of England.

I just hope they remember which way's up when they grow.

Quote from: tim on April 23, 2006, 11:59:33
All mine - forgive the repeat - are at 4-5".

And, when I'm not in the mood for trenching, I just use a bulb planter.

I used a bulb planter for the first time this year and will do from now on - so much easier.

Quote from: carrot-cruncher on April 24, 2006, 16:06:16
I dibbed a hole just deep enough for the spud to fit in, covered it with approx 1" soil.....then piled on a couple of barrowloads of well rotted horse poo.   No digging until they're ready for the pot!!!!!!

I've decided to follow Mother Nature's example - she doesn't dig so I won't either unless I have too.

CC

I never quite understood the 'mother nature doesn't dig' line, in reference to no-dig. Mother nature doesn't pile a thick layer of mulch on either.