Earthing up potatoes...

[glut]

When do you stop earthing up potatoes. I have been doing it for a couple of weeks and of course they still keep on growing and growing. Is there a height to aim for or do I carry on til they flower (no sign of this yet) ...or something else?
Any advice appreciated

[burnie]

The key thing is to ensure that no tubers are exposed to the light as they turn green and are poisonous.I tend to earthup about 8 inches and then just check them daily for any signs of tubers showing and cover them.

[jackie j]

If you keep earthing up till they flower you will have a mountain not a mound lol.

[allotmentlady]

I always stop when they are about high, just make sure the tubers are not exposed to sunlight otherwise they will go green.

[markwcel]

i fill my sacks till i can fill no more....lol

[SlugLobber]

I earth up until the pot is full. Most of mine are fully earthed, now!

[Flummery]

I tend to earth up a couple of times - only done it once now but I do mound up the soil when I plant - helps me to remember where the rows are! As long as the spuds are deep enough and the tubers aren't forming close to the light it's fine. Also, if you are still in danger of a frost you need either to earth up again or use fleece. I earth again - stays put better! If the top foliage gets frosted off the plants get a serious set-back.

[gojiberry]

Not sure, but I think you should be aiming for 9 to 12 inches of soil from tuber to top of ridge. That usually works out at potatoes planted at 4 inches deep and the approx 8 inches earthed up. Not an exact science though.

Ian

[glut]

Thanks for all that...I was beginning to imagine just a giant pile of earth with a couple of leaves sticking out the top! I will sit back and see what happens for a while now...

[Droppey]

Daft question when you earth up do you cover the leaves? Or just round the stalk?

[Mchanen]

Cover the leaves, that's what i do and eventually they will poke back through- there's just no keeping them down once they get going

[Creemteez]

Daft question when you earth up do you cover the leaves? Or just round the stalk?

Not a daft question at all -but a frequently asked one!
If frost is expected, then yes. cover the leaves completely. If not, just pull up as much soil from the trenches as you can without exposing anything "rooty". Remember, you don't have to earth up with soil. Grass clippings, spent compost, anything that will block out the light from the tubers will do!

[Droppey]

Ahhh K I thought it was just soil I had to earth up with - cheers

[novice16]

i was told not to use grass clippings as the turn into a slim and are wet and then the tubers rot. i'm not sure if i should now or not?

[markwcel]

i use grass clippings a cpl of times...its a good fertiliser for them