Grass cuttings??

[shadegrow]

I have two large tubs of potatoes. Unfortunately my heap of home grown compost is exhausted & I don't fancy digging a hole in the garden for soil to earth up with. Would fresh grass cutting's be any use to cover them in?

[shirlthegirl43]

My spuds in a raised bed are earthed up with layers of grass cuttings and compost. they seem to be doing fine so far.

[Incy]

I saw it recommended somewhere recently I can't remember where but it will have been either a Bob Flowerdew book or a gardening magazine.

[Sanjo]

I have two large tubs of potatoes. Unfortunately my heap of home grown compost is exhausted & I don't fancy digging a hole in the garden for soil to earth up with. Would fresh grass cutting's be any use to cover them in?

I have grown my spuds using the "no-dig" method this year shadegrow and I have neighbours on both sides supplying me with cuttings for topping up the beds.
Don't put the cuttings on too deep. Let the first lot dry before you add anymore, otherwise the cuttings just go slimy.
So far, I have pulled 8 1/2 pounds of spuds from two small rows.
Not a massive crop, but then there was no work involved with earthing up - so swings and roundabouts!!

[Two_Sheds]

Grass clippings are great for spuds ... they're meant to reduce the risk of scab, as well as being a good mulch.

[Farmer_Gyles]

i used grass cuttings around my spuds too - brilliant as it kept the weeds down too!

[Skipper]

Hi Sanjo
Like you I have used the...no-dig... system this year and having clay soil I am earthing up using compost and sharp sand, the plan being that both of these will help to condition the soil as well. This being my first go at spuds I'm not quite sure how much of the plant you keep sticking out the top?

[glut]

Can you use grass cuttings as mulch on anything else or just spuds?

[Snadger]

I'm growing my maincrop tatties in pure rotted down grass cuttings..........no soil!

[Sue]

Glut
I use grass clippings as a mulch. I thoroughly water my raised beds then put on a layer of soaking wet newspaper in strips between the plants. I then pile on a thick layer of grass cuttings. You just need to make sure that they don't touch the stems at all. Even in this recent hot weather the earth underneath is still moist. I just couldn't cope with a daily watering of 22 raised beds....

best wishes
Sue

[Nicos]

We've got grass cuttings coming out of our ears!!!...well...not exactly that...but we've got a large area we mow and although the clippings are decomposing pretty quickly in the 3 compost bins my OH has made...we are starting to get a bit of a % imbalance in rotting vegetation.
I love the idea of mulch in the gaps between the earthed up spuds.
Our spuds went in very late- so are not ready for taking for a few more weeks - my question is that if we were to mulch with fresh clippings now- would they be rotted down enough for when we put the leeks in immediatley after harvesting the spuds????

[glut]

Thanks Sue, I might try that!

[Sanjo]

Hi Sanjo
Like you I have used the...no-dig... system this year and having clay soil I am earthing up using compost and sharp sand, the plan being that both of these will help to condition the soil as well. This being my first go at spuds I'm not quite sure how much of the plant you keep sticking out the top?

Sorry Skipper, I missed your post. I usually just leave a little bit of the leaves showing. They soon pop through. Just don't pile it on too thick or it heats up and then goes smelly and soggy. I have started to harvest mine (planted in March) I was initially disappointed as there weren't many potatoes per plant.
However, when I weigh them it's a different story!
I've had a number of spuds that weigh 3/4 pounds each!! OH thinks it's brilliant. So far 16 1/2 pounds of spuds and still have another half a plot to harvest.
Hope that helps.

[rob the roller]

A few years ago I had a supply of dried grass clippings which I used for earthing up. The potatoes which grew inside the clippings cover came out completely white and earth free - no washing or peeling needed. I have tried it since but without success. I think this is because the later clippings weren't dry enough. They need to be absolutely moisture free or they compact.