Spuds... are you a trencher, hole maker or containererer?

[chris]

Somehow randomly came across a post from PW about him making holes with scaffolding tubes for planting spuds in. Interesting thinks I! A few more searches around the subject and a couple of other folk use bulb planters. Those posts were from a few years ago, so thought I'd ask again

Do you dig a trench, make a hole or use containers?

I may try the hole method this year, as I'm growing them in raised beds - save me digging out and making a mess of the paths etc.

If you do make a hole, do you drop any fertiliser in the hole first? What's your method?

(multi-voting allowed, as I've a fair few planter sack type things at home that I'll be using as well as in the ground on the plot this year)

[sowitgrowit]

My first ever attempt this year will be in "courier bags" (reasonably thick poly bags - I have double bagged to keep the light out though).

They're about the size of half a growbag stood up, maybe a little wider at the base.

[veggiechicken]

Cheese? Is this the Caerphilly way?

[chris]

Just added it for the awkwar... er veggiechickens amongst us

[VirginVegGrower]

Hey Chris, good thread!

In the past I have always drawn a trench into which I have dropped potato fertiliser. This has always worked well for me, however this year I have opted for making a hole, which hasn't put them as deep as I normally go (saves early earthing), but has saved a lot of planting work. I haven't used fertiliser this year as I wanted to feed with seaweed as I go along, rather than use inorganic feeds. I also use bags at home (mainly as I always buy too many tubers - no comments) and I fed these last year with a seaweed feed, nothing more. I am using the planting mix as suggested by Garden Organic this year, which is one part sand, one part manure, two parts homemade compost/leafmold. My first bag was planted up two days ago and I will be planting up a further two later today. All I will say with bags is that they easily take a can of water a day in summer. I will then reuse the compost as a mulch on my garden.

[VirginVegGrower]

Just added it for the awkwar... er veggiechickens amongst us

She always is!

[zazen999]

Depends.

I do bags in polytunnels or greenhouses.

I do trenches when I have my special tool [Mr Z used it on Sunday and I put my fertiliser in the bottom, then spuds, then watered in and raked the soil back over.

I use a bulb planter when Mr Z hasn't got his special tool handy. I put a handful of organic potato fertiliser in the holes when I do.

A pic of Mr Z's special tool can be found here

[veggiechicken]

Just as well I voted for it then! - and all the other options!
I dig a shallow trench, then dig a hole in the bottom of the trench for the potato, And I put some in pots in the GH and the small ones fit perfectly into Swiss cheese.

[VirginVegGrower]

Depends.

I do bags in polytunnels or greenhouses.

I do trenches when I have my special tool [Mr Z used it on Sunday and I put my fertiliser in the bottom, then spuds, then watered in and raked the soil back over.

I use a bulb planter when Mr Z hasn't got his special tool handy.

A pic of Mr Z's special tool can be found here

Are you actually talking about tats Miss Z?

[chris]

Hey Chris, good thread!

In the past I have always drawn a trench into which I have dropped potato fertiliser. This has always worked well for me, however this year I have opted for making a hole, which hasn't put them as deep as I normally go (saves early earthing), but has saved a lot of planting work. I haven't used fertiliser this year as I wanted to feed with seaweed as I go along, rather than use inorganic feeds. I also use bags at home (mainly as I always buy too many tubers - no comments) and I fed these last year with a seaweed feed, nothing more. I am using the planting mix as suggested by Garden Organic this year, which is one part sand, one part manure, two parts homemade compost/leafmold. My first bag was planted up two days ago and I will be planting up a further two later today. All I will say with bags is that they easily take a can of water a day in summer. I will then reuse the compost as a mulch on my garden.

Hadn't heard of that mix, thank you. I was regretting ordering another half-load of manure too, but now I know what I can do with it

[chris]

Are you actually talking about tats Miss Z?

And you call me rude!

[veggiechicken]

Depends.
A pic of Mr Z's special tool can be found here

I'm so disappointed......

[VirginVegGrower]

Since we are talking tools! Here is what I have used in the past

Wolf Garten JAM20 Multi-Change Ridger: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

[VirginVegGrower]

And you call me rude!

Read the post again and yes you are! Just not on here

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm so disappointed......

Don't be! She wouldn't let you borrow it. You will have to find your own!