chicken poo pellets in with pots?

[gingerneil]

I am growing potatoes in tubs this yeh. I am just about to add my first extra layer of compost at the leaves are starting to show through.
1. should I cover what has grown, or just build up to the base of the leaves ?
2. should I mix chicken manure pellets in with the compost I add ?

[Cutecumber]

Wait until the sprouts are, say, four inches high and then top up so just the growing tips show - you can cover them completely, but it seems a bit cruel (I'm a bit soft, me!). Also, I find that inevitably one potato is slower than the rest and I like to wait for it to come through the first layer before I top up the pot, so the first one may sometimes be quite tall.

Mix in some extra fertiliser if you think the compost needs enriching, by all means. You can always use liquid fertiliser as the plants grow, if not.

[pigletwillie]

Potatoes are gross feeders and thrive on any extra (within reason) pellets or manure you put on them when growing. Dont overdo it though as you will get soft sappy top growth that is romping away too fast.

[gingerneil]

Thanks to you both for the tips. I have 5 tubers in each pot, so there will inevitably be a slow grower...