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Do I earth up my Charlotte potatoes?

WildFlower_UKWildFlower_UK Posts: 236
in Fruit & veg
My Charlotte potatoes are showing their first leaves. I only filled the pots around 1/3-half way to allow for earthing up, but I've since read this process isn't necessary. What should I do? I assume the amount of soil without earthing up will restrict the total crop? 


"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"

Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I grew Charlotte last year,  so know you can get a good crop. That growth needs to double before earthing up to the leaves, and yes it will need the depth of soil to get a good crop.  Keep on earthing up until near the top and you should get a good crop of either early new pots or wait till later for larger potatoes @WildFlower85
  • WildFlower_UKWildFlower_UK Posts: 236
    Thanks @Purplerain! This pic was taken a couple of days ago and the leaves are a growing quickly. Do I completely bury the leaves or keep a bit above the new soil level? I have two containers of Charlottes so may have some smaller and leave the others to grow larger. 
    "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    It's OK to bury them, they just grow on through.  Don't fill the container to the top; leave some space to add more earth/compost once the tubers have formed.  This is so that if any are breaking the surface, you can cover them so they won't go green.  Potatoes exposed to light turn green, and make toxic compounds.  You'd have to eat a lot of green potatoes to be seriously ill, but small amounts could give you a bellyache!
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Just keep the tips above soil level so they see the light, this years ones I have in a bag, pentland javelin, grew at odd levels so the soil was all over the place.😄
  • WildFlower_UKWildFlower_UK Posts: 236
    Cheers both! I'll earth up and keep some space at the top. Looking forward to eating them later this summer!
    "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
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