Potato scab

[OAKLEY WAY]

I have been reading the contributions by members regarding potato scab and the replies have been most appreciated.
We have had our `lottie` for a little over three years and it is only this year that we have managed a bumper crop of spuds.
Unfortunately the second lifting of marris peers are covered in scab.
our soil is sandy and we water it regulary.
Obviously it must be alkaline and i will try the comfrey application but will try desiree next year.
Last year i had no scab on pink fir or nicola.
Our thanks to all the unpaid advisors.

[rustylady]

Hi Oakley Way. Welcome to the Vine. Could you pop your location into your profile please. My soil is sandy too and my spuds usually suffer from scab. Gradually adding more organic stuff to the plot and results are getting better. My best potato this year was Nadine - hardly any scab at all.

[solway cropper]

Lack of water at the appropriate time will cause scab. This problem will be worse on a free-draining sandy soil. Unless the scab is deep it shouldn't affect the spuds too much although they probably won't store as well.

[VirginVegGrower]

Chuck on some rotted muck before planting next year or add compost layers/green manure now to feed your soil. I have free draining semi sandy soil and this is how I get round it. Don't lime either as that can help scab form on your taters - not suggesting you have, but just in case.

[gojiberry]

Use of grass clippings is supposed to reduce the likelihood of scab.

Ian