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I really want to plant my early potatoes this weekend but I've not managed to dig the area.  Last year it had brassicas planted and the plot hasn't been dug since.

Last year I had rotavated the plot and I dug a trench a spades depth, half filled with rotted manure then the potatoes on top and back filled.

Would I be able to use the trench method again but without pre-digging?  I'd need to clear the odd tuft of grass first that's grown etc.  Can anyone foresee any problems this might present?

If I were you I would dig the ground first , better to dig it now and put the spuds in a later in my opinion it is a bit early to plant them just yet
I read somewhere that there are fewer pests in well dug ground so I am making sure after last years disasters that mine is
marg

I do mine the opposite way to Marg. I only plant about 4"deep and then put cardboard on top, soak the cardboard and pile well rotted manure on top of that to a depth of about 8" - 10".

As the season wears on, grass clippings can be put on top of the manure (but not too thickly at any one time) This helps to exclude light as well. I have always had very successful potato crops done this way, without the back breaking digging bit.

Its all down to a matter of personal choice, I can't dig as much as is needed for the conventional potato planting. The way I do it is a Permaculture no dig method as it suits my health and produces a decent crop too :D

Christine Walkden advises soaking the seed potatoes before planting.    Does anyone else do this ?    How should we soak the potato without knocking off the sprouts after chitting ?

So many questions............so little time !

Ive never done that. I dont think Ive heard of that way before :-\

Quote from: star on March 21, 2008, 13:33:19
I do mine the opposite way to Marg. I only plant about 4"deep and then put cardboard on top, soak the cardboard and pile well rotted manure on top of that to a depth of about 8" - 10".

As the season wears on, grass clippings can be put on top of the manure (but not too thickly at any one time) This helps to exclude light as well.

Star, do you use corrugated cardboard? How do the plants break through that?

Its any cardboard really, but it must be thoroughly soaked. If its freshly laid then its better to cut crosses in it and plant potatoes through it. (I didn't say that though did I? sorry :-[

As the season moves on the cardboard just rots away, so its important to clean it of all sellotape and staples first.

I hope I explained a bit better this time ;)

In answer to the original question. No you don't need to dig first if you're trench planting, unless you have some other reason for wanting to. ;D

My reason for digging it well this year is because I have had poor results through not doing this before. this time last year it was because I broke my ankle (I know will I ever shut up about my b***d* ankle lol) and they just had to be shoved in. other years because they followed on from PSB the ground hadn,t been dug over winter. we have always had trouble with small slugs digging well  is supposed to deter them. if it doesn,t I will have to rethink
the no dig method seems very tempting but I don,t think I could get hold of  enough well rotted manure to cover my spud patch 8" to 10"or grass cutting as we only have the edge of the plot to trim
I am also trying spraying the chitting potatoes with water with a few drops of baby bio in for app2 weeks before they go in they are looking better and it doesn,t hurt the shoots. time will tell and as I,v said it can,t get worse,Or can it?
marg

Its all about trying things out and experimenting. I would never say my way is better than anyone elses, I have just found a way that suits me best and meets my needs without me killing myself digging when I dont have to. ( My health aint the best)

20 years ago I was perfectly happy to double dig and incorporate manure ;).

I use Kestrel potatoes which have got a bit of resistance to slugs, had no eaten ones so far :D