“ In the past, growing potatoes in bags has always involved the traditional 'earthing up' process – planting your spuds in minimal compost at the bottom of the bag and adding more as the plant grows.
But while some gardeners continue to swear by the ‘old school’ method, recent trials here at Thompson and Morgan show it’s not necessary as long as you make sure your spuds are protected from the sunlight by the soil and foliage. Remember – green spuds are inedible and you should discard them.
Here’s how to plant your potato bags:
•Fill an 8 litre potato bag with quality multipurpose compost to about 2.5cm (1") below the rim.
•Carefully plunge a single chitted potato tuber into the compost with the shoots pointing upwards, to a depth of 12cm (5") from the soil surface. Gently cover the tuber with compost.
•Place the potato bag in a bright, frost free position, water regularly, and wait for your plants to grow.
•Feed potato plants every other week with potato fertiliser and water the bags whenever the compost shows signs of drying out.”
The main reasons for earthing up (for potatoes planted in the garden) and as said before are as a natural form of weeding and to cover any potatoes exposed to the sun. Doing that will increase the crop as you won't be throwing away green potatoes at harvesting time!
The soil in raised rows (ridges) will also warm up quicker than surrounding soil and, on heavy soil in wet weather, helps with drainage making tubers less likely to rot.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Posts
But while some gardeners continue to swear by the ‘old school’ method, recent trials here at Thompson and Morgan show it’s not necessary as long as you make sure your spuds are protected from the sunlight by the soil and foliage. Remember – green spuds are inedible and you should discard them.
Here’s how to plant your potato bags: