I've been planting spuds in the West of Ireland, by the sea, with seaweed as fertiliser. All fine until our neighbour's (a lobster fisherman) dog decided to have fun digging up the spuds. No easy solution for that problem!
I know it's the correct way to do it, but we've got heavy clay and it takes all my effort to get them 4" deep. As they grow I mulch with grass clippings.
So long as you keep the clippings clear of the stem itself, I've had no trouble. As the spuds grow , they create more of their own shade, but as you lift them , you did in the grass you've put on the surface.
Started my potato bags off 2 weeks ago and covered with fleece. Laying out (No planting) 2nd earlies going on new bed in Potager next time the Lunar Calender advises it and earthing up with compost/lawn mowings/compost/lawnmowings as per last year. Worked a treat, so fingers crossed and. The bags are just an experiment as per Monty Don..
Yes I use grass cuttings too for extra nitrogen and acidity. But I have very light soil so easy to plant and harvest but a continual battle to keep nutrients in. (I think I'll try bentonite for that).
Got it perfectly right Steve. Might try the grass clippings myself as we have Ph 8+ and the peat is more expensive. Those Roosters in my picture are heavely scabbed but taste wonderful.
Hostafan 1 the ones I sowed are barely 3 to 4 inches deep but will get another 6 inches of soil when earthed up.
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I've been planting spuds in the West of Ireland, by the sea, with seaweed as fertiliser. All fine until our neighbour's (a lobster fisherman) dog decided to have fun digging up the spuds. No easy solution for that problem!
Good - thanks Hostafan. Just wanted to check. That's the way I do it, but my boss disagreed!
I know it's the correct way to do it, but we've got heavy clay and it takes all my effort to get them 4" deep. As they grow I mulch with grass clippings.
So long as you keep the clippings clear of the stem itself, I've had no trouble. As the spuds grow , they create more of their own shade, but as you lift them , you did in the grass you've put on the surface.
Started my potato bags off 2 weeks ago and covered with fleece. Laying out (No planting) 2nd earlies going on new bed in Potager next time the Lunar Calender advises it and earthing up with compost/lawn mowings/compost/lawnmowings as per last year. Worked a treat, so fingers crossed and. The bags are just an experiment as per Monty Don..
Yes I use grass cuttings too for extra nitrogen and acidity. But I have very light soil so easy to plant and harvest but a continual battle to keep nutrients in. (I think I'll try bentonite for that).
Just in from collecting student from train.
Got it perfectly right Steve. Might try the grass clippings myself as we have Ph 8+ and the peat is more expensive. Those Roosters in my picture are heavely scabbed but taste wonderful.
Hostafan 1 the ones I sowed are barely 3 to 4 inches deep but will get another 6 inches of soil when earthed up.
Connemara Gardener welcome to the "Spud planters guide to the Galaxy".
How early can you plant out there by the sea?Here in Tipperary we get frost till May bank holiday so spuds this early are a labour of love.