Would planting spuds deeper, avoid earthing up?

[selfraising]

I have 6" high link a bord raised beds in which my spuds are growing, however it does make it awkward to earth up. Was wondering wether next year I could get another bed to place on top, thereby making the depth 12 ". Would planting spuds at this depth avoid earthing up or would they not grow through?

[Paulottie]

If you plant them too deep they can be quite weakened. Why not just add the second set of boards when earthing up?

[esrikandan]

I thought (pototo) farmers plant quite deep and don't bother with earthing up?

[tattieman]

We plant at about 10" deep from the top of the drill.

[selfraising]

Thanks for the reply tattieman so 12" would be enough and then I wouldn't have to earth up?

[tattieman]

Depends on your soil type really. If you are light and loamy you would probably be ok but I wouldn't do it in heavy soil. Earthing up is also a good way of weeding at the same time as you are earthing up. 2 jobs in one.

[selfraising]

The raised beds are mainly filled with mpc, would this be ok?

[tattieman]

I think that would be ideal. If you do it get some pics of the results.

[selfraising]

Will do thanks very much for all your help!

[terrier]

I don't want to sound awkward, but why use raised beds for spuds? If theyre dfficult to manage, doesn't that defeat the object of using them. If you need them because your ground gets waterlogged or you are on clay or hard standing, you can always add soil/compost or grass clippings/straw as the plants grow.

[gojiberry]

I believe it is possible to grow a reasonable crop of spuds under black weed control fabric which eliminates the need to earth up. Has anyone tried this method and how successful is it.

Ian

[selfraising]

I don't want to sound awkward, but why use raised beds for spuds? If theyre dfficult to manage, doesn't that defeat the object of using them. If you need them because your ground gets waterlogged or you are on clay or hard standing, you can always add soil/compost or grass clippings/straw as the plants grow.

I know what your saying but I had the raised beds on neighbours garden (he let me use it) but he then moved out and I needed to find somewhere for them. My garden is quite small, so plonked them on top of the soil which is clay and tonnes of stones.

[selfraising]

I believe it is possible to grow a reasonable crop of spuds under black weed control fabric which eliminates the need to earth up. Has anyone tried this method and how successful is it.

Ian

I have heard about that too and would be interested to know that too.

[teakdesk]

Yes, I´ve done it many times except I've used strips of black plastic (basic bin liners some years, strips of plastic sheeting other years.

I form ridges of soil (ie earth up first) and dig hols down 8 to 10 inches; pop a spud in and cover.

Put a strip of plastic over them all and weight down - make sure water can run off the plastic into the ground at the side of each ridge.

When the haulms get to the top of the ground you can see a pimple appearing in the plastic - just cut a cross in the plastic and let the foliage through.

That's it - no earthing up; no weeds.

And it has been very successful every year I've done it.



PS - I've never bothered doing earlies this way.

PPS - I've only done it in a shaded bit of garden that doesn't get wind or much frost - never had a problem with frost but I'd think of fleecing if I did.

[selfraising]

Thanks teakdesk! I mainly plant earlies, is there any reason it shouldn't work with them?
Do you have problems with slugs, with all the plastic?