Allotments 4 All

Does anyone have any advice on the watering of potatoes, please? Should they be watered regularly or left until they start flowering? Help!

As ever, Sprout, it depends

Given the amount of rain we are getting at the moment, they should be ok for a month or so.

Given that potato tubers are ~80% water, if it's a dry summer then watering when the ground around the roots gets dry is advantageous.

As you suggest, they take up most water when bulking up, for maincrop and 2nd earlies this starts when they are flowering.

One thing to remember though, is that if they do dry out and are subsequently watered, they wiil probably split - the skin will heal over but that is what causes the cracks you sometimes see in tubers

Phil

This is to add to a comment which I can't re-locate - topical??

"Soil moisture and watering
Potatoes use a lot of water. For the highest yield of good-sized tubers, keep the soil moist throughout the season. Manure, compost and leafmould will all help your soil to hold more water. Varieties vary in their drought tolerance. The most effective stage at which to water, where necessary, is when the tubers are the size of marbles. This usually coincides with flowering. Water the soil rather than the foliage."

Just to raise a point on the practical aspect - I have 12kg of seed potatoes planted, which appears typical for most people on my allotments. Just how much water may be required by all these plants, bearing in mind that the time when they require it is when they are ridged, making watering of the hills rather cumbersome?

Since water is non-existant on our plots, except for 'captured' water from shed roofs etc, it tends to get reserved for the most needy plants, eg greenhouse stuff etc.

Good question - the only answer is to stand over a potato with a can & see how long it takes for the water to reach the roots??
A loooong time. A lot of water!!

I believe that they can look after themselves & that there are many more deserving & instantly rewarding plants to support.

What about those in tubs? I have about 30 each in an individual tub and I must admit they look very dry. How often should I water them? Can I use coffee grounds to earth up

Oi! where did my reply go?-it`s bad enough sitting here with sun glasses on.

Here in `tate` country they pile millions of gallons on them to get huge yields of tasteless flabby spuds. Water yes,but yield is not everything.

Indeed, Cleo - that's another reason I don't water!

Ani - feeeel it? I use a moisture meter for ALL my checks.

Coffee grounds? You ought to give it up if you've that many!!

Oh, later - do make sure your containers have drain holes.

I only water the spuds if they wilt. In my soil this does happen every now and again (it's almost as freely draining as sand).

I dig out a trench for the spuds, add about 4" of manure all the way along the trench and stick the tubers in that. It means that there's quite a reservoir for moisture down there when needed.

When I do need to water, I block off the ends of the 'valleys' and dam partially along them too, then water into the compartments formed. It's then forced to go into the soil at the base of the plants (and therefore into the manure) and not run off downhill! (Not so bad now the raised beds are in place).

moonbells

Not just a pretty face!!

Tim-you are are a flirt,and for the benefit of newbies,he is one of the nicest people it has been my pleasure to meet

Now I've got a red one!!

Flirting Flattery will get you everywhere!

Tut, tut, Tim - don't you know there is a time and place for that sort of thing - any time and any place! ;) :D

Used to water copiously but rarely at all over the last few years - when we did/do we direct the hose along the "valleys" as we don't want to risk washing away the ridges and exposing the tubers to daylight - hope you know what I mean.  Short answer is that we really don't water because we have planted really deep.

Tim, all tubs have 10 holes drilled in them and today I put free horse manure 6"up the outsides of the 30 tubs to reduce moisture loss in the sunny weather. It looks silly 'cos it looks as if I'm trying to 'earth up' the buckets.  ;D
I can get 10 to 20 kilos of coffee grounds a week if I want and have the time. 2 Starbucks close by.

Oh!!

Quote from: tim on April 28, 2006, 16:41:37
Not just a pretty face!!

Good job you've only seen the cat's...  ;D ;D

moonbells