Has anyone tried tatties growing up?

[binley100]

In the GYO mag there was a short piece about planting tatties covered with straw. Decided to give it a go with a few left rather than starting a new row. Has anyone else tried this method ?

[veggiechicken]

Do you mean straw mulch, Bins? If so I've done it several times when I'm feeling lazy and can't be bothered to dig holes in my shallow soil. Its good for furtling!
Try this http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...e-spuds-2.html

[binley100]

They said just hoe the soil, cover in thick layer of compost , then place tatties on top and tope with about 2" straw then as they grow keep piling on the straw . Is that what you do ? Do you still get a decent amount of tatties ?

[greenishfing]

I've put a few early potatoes under a cold frame in the hope of encouraging them. I wonder if I could just pack it with straw instead of earthing.

[veggiechicken]

I don't have that much compost to spare so mine go in shallow pits, covered over with a bit of soil and straw goes on when the shoots show.
Decent amount? Depends on what you're comparing it with! All my veg are seriously challenged as they have to cope with thin soil, tree roots, shade, sloping ground - so I'm grateful for anything edible that emerges. Its easy with straw and at the end the straw rots down in situ. Its basically a no-dig method of spud growing. Also helped by having a large bale of straw handy!!

[zazen999]

Yeah we've done this and you get lovely clean tatties.

[binley100]

Can you do it with with mains as well as earlies ?

[chuffa]

I have grown my spuds like this for the last three years. I was given a book for Christmas one year, "Grow Organic" by Christine and Michael Lavelle. As I grow my veg in raised beds, it was easier to keep the bulk together. It states that a thick layer of well-rotted manure be placed on the bottom, at least 6-8in in depth as it will quickly decompose. The spuds are planted directly onto this and may be planted more closely say 12" apart. Apply a generous amount of straw to cover the tubers and suppress weed growth. Spread a second layer of manure and another layer of straw. Water the bed well. Once the potato plants start to emerge, more straw can be laid down on the bed. Potato's grown in this way are also easy to harvest as there is no digging and the potato's are cleaner once they are ready to harvest. Hope this helps.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't use straw, I use leafmold, it's the same principle.

Instead of earthing up, I mulch the plants with newspapers and grass clippings/leafmould

[binley100]

Ok am giving it a go with some ........luckily due to a generous grape I have a vast quantity of straw whereas my leaf mould is still moulding (last lot got used ) .......

[winstonwobble]

i grow mine like that for easines really plus the potatoes come out nice and clean

[Piggle]

glad you asked that bins as I saw the same thing and thought I'd give it a go.

[bearded bloke]

a thick layer of well-rotted manure be placed on the bottom, at least 6-8in in depth as it will quickly decompose. The spuds are planted directly onto this and may be planted more closely say 12" apart. Apply a generous amount of straw to cover the tubers and suppress weed growth. Spread a second layer of manure and another layer of straw. Water the bed well. Once the potato plants start to emerge, more straw can be laid down on the bed. Potato's grown in this way are also easy to harvest as there is no digging and the potato's are cleaner once they are ready to harvest.

That is pretty much the same method that Victorian smallholders used

[Two_Sheds]

^ see, there's nothing new under the sun

[bearded bloke]

Another "no dig" method ........... How to Grow Potatoes - Using a No Dig Method