The sharpes Express sowed on 12th march under a cloche growing fine. On the right are a few sown outside, big difference in performence. Earthed these up this evening and protected from frost.
Finally got the rest of mine in this week. The first ones (Charlotte) are just poking through but the new batch (Kestrel and a maincrop whose name I can never remember) were sprouting better so I suspect they'll catch up. No grass cuttings yet but will put some in before the first earthing up.
Also a load of Pentland Javelin which refused to produce more than tiny shoots. Could they have been too warm (in the greenhouse)?
I just chuck soil all over them, but should point out that our soil is sandy, free-draining and like apple crumble mixture. Not sure I would be quite so gung-ho with a heavy clay soil
Clarington I earthup when the stalks are about 6 inches tall. usually only the tops of a few leaves are then showing above the new ground level. Tubers are swollen stems not roots so we want lots of stem under clay. don't worry about covering some or all leaves they will shoot up again. you can add potatoe manure while earthing up if you think they need more.
Just placed the cloche over the second drill of Sharpes express, should force them on.
I put my Winston first earlies and ramano main crop in today, nice and deep so the frosts wont make any difference, does look like I've buried the neighbours though. the potato graves are back.
Planted out 1st earlies a couple of weeks ago and they are just coming through. One lot of 2nd earlies went out today and I'm hoping to get main crop planted next weekend.
It's certainly a lot easier growing in bags. The soil on my allotment hasn't been worked for several years so it's packed solid and boy does it dry out quickly, the ridge of soil for the 1st earlies to earth up with was dried and cracked this weekend after just a few days sunshine, is this normal?
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The sharpes Express sowed on 12th march under a cloche growing fine. On the right are a few sown outside, big difference in performence. Earthed these up this evening and protected from frost.
That looks good, NoExpert
Finally got the rest of mine in this week. The first ones (Charlotte) are just poking through but the new batch (Kestrel and a maincrop whose name I can never remember) were sprouting better so I suspect they'll catch up. No grass cuttings yet but will put some in before the first earthing up.
Also a load of Pentland Javelin which refused to produce more than tiny shoots. Could they have been too warm (in the greenhouse)?
Our Rockets are up, and I've earthed up. We haven't had frosts here - it has got quite low, but not low enough.
When it says "earthing up" - what does one do exactly? Do I cover all the plant (about 6 - 10 cm) poking above the soil or just half of it?
I just chuck soil all over them, but should point out that our soil is sandy, free-draining and like apple crumble mixture. Not sure I would be quite so gung-ho with a heavy clay soil
Clarington I earthup when the stalks are about 6 inches tall. usually only the tops of a few leaves are then showing above the new ground level. Tubers are swollen stems not roots so we want lots of stem under clay. don't worry about covering some or all leaves they will shoot up again. you can add potatoe manure while earthing up if you think they need more.
Just placed the cloche over the second drill of Sharpes express, should force them on.
I put my Winston first earlies and ramano main crop in today, nice and deep so the frosts wont make any difference, does look like I've buried the neighbours though. the potato graves are back.
Planted out 1st earlies a couple of weeks ago and they are just coming through. One lot of 2nd earlies went out today and I'm hoping to get main crop planted next weekend.
It's certainly a lot easier growing in bags. The soil on my allotment hasn't been worked for several years so it's packed solid and boy does it dry out quickly, the ridge of soil for the 1st earlies to earth up with was dried and cracked this weekend after just a few days sunshine, is this normal?