Keeping spuds covered

[newbiegander]

Help
I have planted some spuds and am learning as I go. So far I know that the shoots have to be covered as they grow to keep spuds from going green.

I have a couple of questions though...

1. My potato plants have sprouted big time whilst away for a week and are now too tall to cover with soil. What alternatives do people suggest, or should I cut the plant back?

2. I have some growing in a dustbin - if I keep the lid on to keep them dark, will I need to punch holes in it for air?

3. I have some growing in a fertilser sack and the shoots are growing out the top now - similar problem to the ones in the bed. What is the best strategy when in the situation where the plants have grown too much to cover other than with a plastic sack (which is what I have done at the moment)

Many thanks

[jacob marley]

welcome to the vine now the shoots that need to be covered are the roots the stems with the Foliage on are not shoot's but haulms and you need them in daylight to drag in sunlight to help with the good condition of the plants .
I hope this explains it to you and you get a good crop and keep them well watered ..jacob

[Two_Sheds]

As JM says: you need to keep the tubers (the actual spuds) covered, not the stems (unless there's a frost forecast, in which case yes you do need to cover the stems: because spuds are tender, not hardy).

Do not grow them in the dark: they need to photosynthesise