How do you build ridges for potatoes?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I'm going to put in two rows of King Edwards this week.

Previously, I put in Maris Peers, but not in rows or ridges. I just did 'molehils', and I realise this was an error.

How do I build up my rows into ridges? I intend to build a trench firstly.....but then what?

How can I ensure that the plants grow out of the top of the ridges? They have grown out if the sides of my 'molehills'!

Any advice on how to do this would be well received!

Thanks.

[terrier]

I start off with level ground, don't plant the seed too deep, maybe 2" DEEP, then as they grow, I earth up along the rows to 'train' them in the right direction. The earthing up discourages weed growth. If you plant them too deep, it just means that it's harder to find the potatoes at harvest time. Alow as much space as you can afford between the rows.

[eye1der]

c and d,
the reason we plant main crop spud rows so far appart is so you have soil between rows you can rake up to the haulms to form your ridge. id say plant your rows 80 cm appart to allow this but dont waste the soil between the spuds grow a catch crop between em like lettuce or radish, these will be ready before the spuds require earthing

[Cosmo and Dibs]

This is how I have done them:

[markwcel]

i just put mpc over each plant as they come thru....not the perfect way but does

[RobintheBobin]

I don't have a huge amount of space so I dig trenches first before planting them and earth them up with the soil which was dug out of the trenches...that sounds a bit odd when I read it but I hope it makes sense...I haven't had my coffee yet