Spuds in tubs - adding soil

[amandaandherveg]

Growing spuds in tubs for the first time (well pop up garden tidy bags). The earlies are nice and big and bushy and showing over the top. How often and when do I need to add earth to the bag?

[T-lady]

I think you add compost / soil when you have about 6" of green growth showing. It certainly worked with the ones I've just harvested although I doubt it would hurt to earth them up more often.

Stop when you can't fit any more in!

[amandaandherveg]

Thanks T, I added some when they started to poke through but wasn't sure what the deal was after that. I guess more soil, more spuds????

[Cutecumber]

The tuber-producing shoots (stolons) come out from the main stem. When you add more soil they produce more, from further up the stem, hence a bigger crop.

Keep adding soil whenever you like until you reach the top of the bag. Leave enough room to water and get your hands in to check for potatoes later on.

[amandaandherveg]

Can't wait for baby boilers in their skins topped with butter and some chopped chives. Yummm.... Built a big brick barbecue yesterday, just need some sun and some spare ribs, burgers and bangers.