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Spuds

JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
in Fruit & veg
I'm growing my first potatoes, British reds I believe, and they seem to be doing well. Hopefully an addition to the Christmas Dinner. I know, from my Dad, to keep adding soil as they grow. But I was at a friends house yesterday, and she completely buries hers, ie so you don't see the plant at all, I was leaving some greenery to show. Is this right?
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Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Earthing up, which is what your Dad recommends, is the classic way to keep potatoes from going green. Not only is it good exercise but it breaks up the soil nicely as well, and the plants still have some leaves showing so that they can photosynthesize. You're doing it right. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-potatoes/

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Have you got them under cover to protect from frost? Are they in a large pot/sack?
  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
    Thanks, yes they are growing in a large pot. My friend uses compost, but I am using top-soil, as my Dad would have done in his garden.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Don’t let them get frosted. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
    Thanks Dovefromabove, I've got them situated close to the wall of the house, south facing, so that should hopefully give some protection. I rarely get a frosted garden, I usually leave my Cacti and succulents out all winter and they seem happy enough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    😊 🤞 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    I only grew them once a few years ago and "earthed" up with lovely leaf mould I happened to have lots of (left leaves showing). Spuds came out easily, beautiful, and clean so maybe it doesn't matter what you cover with?
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    I stopped growing potatoes a couple of years ago in Scotland when the last few batches decided to start falling apart as soon as they were in boiling water for a few minutes. In fact our last bag of Roosters potatoes last week from the SM did the same thing which has never happened before. My neighbour, we have now moved to the South Coast, who has an allotment is also thinking twice about growing potatoes next season because the same this has happened to his over the last couple of season. So watch out when cooking them. However they make good home made chips or are they called French Fries down here?
  • diggersjodiggersjo Posts: 172
    Not too sure if I've said, but my OH buried the eyes cut off SM potatoes early on in the year, not much at all just little eyes. I laughed, but should have photo'd the result! They were superb, bit scale, but massive and very firm when cooked. 
    Yorkshire, ex Italy and North East coast. Growing too old for it!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Roosters are best roasted,  boil in the skins first then roast in the oven.
    Different potatoes for different meals. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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