Have I earthed up correctly? (with pics)

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Thanks for all the replies- very interesting stuff!

I put the seed potatoes in at a depth of about 6"/7", and the mounds are around 6" high.

I did try to do them in rows with ridges, but my soil had capped and become clumpy and like concrete, so it was quite difficult. So, I eath up with loam and leaf mold.

Next year, I'll deffo do the row/ridge thing!

[greendean]

bear in mind
1) potatoes like acid soil, brassicas like alkaline soil
2) potatoes leave the soil very loose, and brassicas like to be anchored in really firm soil - almost like concrete.

1. what if my soil is neutral so both will grow very happily
2. i am very good at firming down soil

[di]

I have done mine in rows but only cos I thought this was the way to do it, so I guess there is nothing wrong with mounds. Didnt think to put squashes in amongst them though, would this be ok.

I've always been led to believe that you shouldn't plant spuds & squash together?.....sorry,being a bit of a lazy non investigator,I've just carried on believing without finding out why,but apparently they don't make great Companions?

BTW C&D...the mounds look fine!
I'm a row girl myself,but can't see any reason why mounds should be any less efficient?
Hope you get some great spuds!

[stooriefit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stooriefit View Post
What is tradition but years and years of experience 

Originally posted by Two Sheds

 or years and years of unthinking, unquestioning habit? 

Aye, Maybe that's why we still have a monarchy

[Lazgaot]

It depends on what you mean by "efficient".
Staggered planting gets more plants in that does row planting.
Closer planting also smothers weeds better, so it's more efficient on the weeding front.
Using rows means trampled, compacted soil, which ain't efficient.

Me, I'm a staggering mounder

Two Sheds, your last point has confused me a little. How does planting in rows equal trampled compacted soil? I have raised beds and permanent paths between them. I plant in rows and never set foot in/on the beds.

If anything a bed as large as the OP's with staggered planting would make earthing up, tending/weeding and harvesting the plants in the middle of the bed a nightmare. You would have to trample all over the place to get to and round the plants in the middle. Compacting the soil in the process. I would say perhaps the bed is too wide in this case.