holy potato

[Levi]

We have taken on a old allotment that has not been used for several years, we cleared it last year and are now growing. Every potato we harvest has small holes or are quite empty, we believe it is wire worm, what can we do ?

[pigletwillie]

We lose about 25% of our crop to slugs and next year are going to grow our entire crop in barrells to prevent this as our first and second earlies have been marvelous.

Perhaps thats the way to go for you as well.

[Levi]

A holder in a nearby plot, told us to grow potato's on top of the soil through holes in and under black polythene. What do you think?

[nick the grief]

Hi Levi, welcome to the vine,

You can grow spuds under plastic like you say but the trouble is it's nice & dark & moist under there, slugs will love it.

If you have only just cleared your allotment Wireworm will be a problem for a year or so, then it should clear up as you cultivate the ground as

1). you'll expose the soil to the ravages of winter
2). the bugs will get expose to the local birdlife - I've got a Robin that follows me everywhere waiting for me to start digging

If your problem is slugs you could try nematode's but these aren't cheap.

You pays your money .......

[Alice]

Or you could do as Piglet says Levi and grow in barrels. This is my first year growing potatoes in containers, and I have been delighted with the results. Will be growing much, much more for next year.

[Levi]

We grow in barrels at home but we are greedy and we can't get enough. My imagination is running wild picturing acres and acres of barrels. Besides you have to buy compost and that is not economical.

[FoxHillGardener]

If you grow them under plastic how do you earth them up?

[nick the grief]

You dont need to FHG as the black plastic keeps the light out

[diana]

I grow in pots for Christmas every year and use garden soil, anybody else do that. quite successful