Seed potatoes under plastic

[Yorky]

I manured / leaf-moulded the raised beds last Autumn & then covered them in black plastic.

I sowed first early seed potatoes last week and replaced the black plastic to keep the soil warm & to protect them from frost/heavy rain. I intend to remove the plastic when the top of the haulms are visible.

Would there be any problems associated with this method?

[Two_Sheds]

How will you water them? (should they need it) and watch out for slugs ~ they just love sheltering under black plastic

[scarletrunner]

How will you water them? (should they need it) and watch out for slugs ~ they just love sheltering under black plastic

and in my experience so do rats!i use cardboard now.

[rustylady]

If they are under black plastic how will you know when they sprout?

[Loudbarker1]

I used black plastic last year and was very pleased with the results - loads of pink fir apples!

some thoughts:

1) yes plenty of water is crucial.

2) after harvest the bed was (and remains) beautifully clear of weeds;

3) I used Nemaslug every 4 weeks and slugs did not seem to be a problem;

4) No sign of rats: but I am plagued by cats from next door.

5) I kept looking to see when the spuds have sprouted and then cut holes in the black plastic in (approximately) the right places and pulled them through.

6) I put on compost a coupel of weeks before planting, and also a few handfulls of pelleted chicken dung - high in phosphate which spuds are very fond of.