Allotments 4 All

???

Just been at the plot earthing up my spuds. Got me thinking...how do you know when to stop earthing up? Mine are still little, and I do know that it's not yet...but when??

;D

I think its when the flowers die back - but I'm a newbie too!!

not sure bout rite answer, but last year i left 1 row unearthed,and the crop was as good as the earthed uo ones..So now that risk of frost is low Ive stopped earthing up .

I only earth up once, unless the weather exposes the tubers.

In this case I would cover the exposed tubers.

I think the 2 reasons for earthing up are:
to protect from frost  early in the season and
to stop the developing potatoes from going green once they start developing - so later in the season

Some people do it in a oner at planting time and others do it little by little.

I think you're best to experiment and see what works for you.

I earth up as much as possible, ie ridge - furrow - ridge - furrow etc. Thus the plants are as buried as possible, hence there will be as many tubers as possible, in theory at least. But we all know what happens to theories ...

Quote from: grawrc on May 09, 2006, 20:44:38
I think the 2 reasons for earthing up are:
to protect from frost  early in the season and
to stop the developing potatoes from going green once they start developing - so later in the season

Sorry Grawrc, I partially disagree!

The potatoes form from the stem above the seed potato, covering the stem encourages more potatoes to grow.

Similarly covering the stem of tomatoes (same family) encourages more 'feeding' roots so generally better results.

I put in a few earlies in early March, and they have grown up through my deep trench AND my earthing up, and I noticed some flower buds today. Can't believe they are ready to dig - any comments?

Quote from: artichoke on May 09, 2006, 22:21:33
I put in a few Earlie's in early March, and they have grown up through my deep trench AND my earthing up, and I noticed some flower buds today. Can't believe they are ready to dig - any comments?

I bet they taste nice. ;) ;)

I thought kept earthing up until the leaves & stem started to wilt.  Then once the plant has died back the spuds can be harvested 4 weeks later.

That has worked for me.  Definitely need to earth up to avoid any new tubers going green as these are unedible.

Anna

I earthed up a lot last year: mind you, I had to 'cos I watered the spuds a lot with the effect that a lot of the earthed-up soil was washed away! and I had to put it all back.

My lad once "helped" me water - hot summer of 2003 I think - proudly informed me he'd managed to make all the soil round the potatoes flat again with full blast from the hose ;D

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Thanks Jenny...made a mental note not to ask for "help"

;)

My soil is so heavy that one year after a torrential downpour water was flowing across the allotment in the furrows between the ridges, if they get earthed up once they are really lucky!
;D