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When should I start earthing up my spuds?

I've had a couple in for about three weeks and the shoots are now an inch above soil level (spud was planted about two-three inches below soil level).

And then how often should I do it?

(they are growing in bags, if that makes any difference!)

I think earthing them up once they have a couple of pairs of leaves above the ground is the plan, cos I think the spuds are produced at leaf joint...someone will probably correct me and tell you the technical reasons.  I guess you keep earthing up for as long as is practical, so when the bag is full.

Thanks EJ. I have a while to go then - they are really only shoots at the moment, the leaves haven't formed yet!

I generally wait till they are around 6"-8" tall before earthing up.

Might get mine planted some of these days! ::)

Brought the last bagful of last years maincrop home yesterday (Valour) so will be eating mine for at least the next six weeks.

From HDRA website:

QuotePotatoes can be 'earthed up' as they grow, bringing soil up around the shoots. This helps control weeds, prevents the tubers turning green and gives some protection against tuber blight. Do it first when plants are around 15cm (6in) tall, leaving a couple of inches of foliage showing.

Until danger of frost is gone, I "earth up" as soon as they appear, but only with enough soil to cover the shoots and hence protect from frost

The big earthings up comes later, as the HDRA say, when the leaves are 6" clear of the soil and then the leaves are not covered

Phil

Good point Phil. Mine have fleece over them - would that be enough protection?

Fleece is the alternative to covering with soil, depending on the thickness of the fleece I think you can get about 5 degrees of protection - coming from Yorkshire the attraction of using soil free is irresistable!!

I have always earthed-up as soon as I seen green. I do it constantly as long as I have soil to do it with. The longer you let the green grow, the sooner the flowers come. Delaying the flower increases the size of the crop.

I was told that removing the flowers and hence the fruit that follow increase the yeild - by removing the competition for the plants resources

STUPID QUESTION ALERT... Right I understand why earthing up is necessary BUT why dont you just plant really deeply, thus eliminating the need to earth up.

All plants thrive to reach the light, plant too deeply and all the plant's resources are spent in getting there. Earthing-up delays the flower, it doesn't stop it.
...And spuds flower when they have succesfully produced the 'seed' (the spuds) leave the plant, complete with flower for two weeks after the flower shows...your spuds are ready for lifting then.

Furthermore, the part of the stem you bury when earthng up will also throw roots, thus giving at least the potential of a bigger crop.