I grow 9 X 12 metre rows of potatoes 3 earlies, 2 second earlies and 4 lates. I do 3 earth ups no more and have very few green potatoes. I have just dug up 3 earlies for my twin brother and it has filled a bucket to keep him supplied for a week. I have looked at the video from Dovefromabove and to me and perhaps only me it looks like hard work. First I think he has set his potatoes too close together to have enough soil to earth up and then all the flaffing of going down the middle with a hoe and earthing up with a spade. I use a Azada tool around £20 if you shop around ( Google it ) which I first saw in India years ago. In India they use short handle versions to dig trenches. I use a long handle version to dig my potatoes trench before filling with farmyard manure and I do not earth up until they have come through to prevent frost damage. I then add potato fertiliser and slug pellets before earthing up. I am 73 years old and a bit slower than I was but I can earth a potato row up in 5 minutes. Sorry Takhana if you are having to buy compost to earth potatoes up you are well out of pocket. I have 3 potato bags of Kestrel 2nd earlies at home that I have grown for my brother using compost from the allotment and they look very well but I am not sure what they will turn out like ? They have been well watered and fertilised so I will wait and see. Generally we are self sufficient in potatoes as well as providing some for relatives and neighbours.
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