Leafmold For Spuds

[VirginVegGrower]

Just been reading the February Garden Organic sheet and it states that leaf mold is good for spuds. Now given that I have a sandy soil, which doesn't hold water well and any structure has probably been washed away in last year's rain, I am thinking of adding what I've got with muck/compost to the bed. So dig it in - I am sort of no dig - or lay it on top? It's quite a windy exposed site and I may have left it a bit late to leave on

[hawthorns]

im going to be earthing up with leafmold this year

[binley100]

I've turned the soil and removed weeds, layer of newspaper ,then a layer of leaves , topped off with llama poop and straw but you could chuck your compost on top . I've then covered the lot with cardboard weighted down at the edges .

[VirginVegGrower]

I've turned the soil and removed weeds, layer of newspaper ,then a layer of leaves , topped off with llama poop and straw but you could chuck your compost on top . I've then covered the lot with cardboard weighted down at the edges .

Hmm like that idea! Leafmold and manure on top then. Thanks

[binley100]

Mine's not even reached the leaf mould stage , still leaves albeit soggy ones ..

[alex-adam]

I only grow a few early spuds in large pots using an home-made mix; equal parts, sieved soil, leafmould, compost and cheapo MPC - always good results. - This season I am going to try an experiment - omit leafmould and replace with shredded cardboard/eggboxes etc. - will let you know the results.

a-a

[Two_Sheds]

I dug trenches out of my (alkaline, scabby) soil, and filled with leafmould. Spuds grew well, came out lovely and clean, no scab

[VirginVegGrower]

I dug trenches out of my (alkaline, scabby) soil, and filled with leafmould. Spuds grew well, came out lovely and clean, no scab

Funnily enough I've just tested our soil using one of those little kits and it's come out "neutral - light green colour", I expected alkaline given the sandy consistency plus chicken poo compost. I will throw some in the planting holes.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Leaf mold is at the bottom of my raised beds. A good third of each bed, then there is poop, which will be covered with compost. So I do hope it is useful.

[VirginVegGrower]

I put some in to the planting holes for the polytunnel spuds. We will see

[binley100]

I'm hoping my comfrey gets a wriggle on cos I want to drop some of that in with my tatties too.........

[bazzaboy]

A very topical subject.... I was at the magnificent Riseholme Lincoln site today (first day of Veg Course as noted http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oln_69761.html ) and all the growing areas (ornamental, gardens, fruit and veg areas, allotments etc) were already neatly covered with leafmould, it looked superb and so very rich... I saw no bare earth on the whole site. Of course they do have the advantage of a large estate, hundreds of specimen deciduous trees, full-time professional staff plus countless students, equipment, tractors etc and a cycle of annual leaf-mould collection, 2 year aging and distribution etc that is a long way outside my garden and allotment version.... but the principal was clear enough: "Leafmould is good stuff!!" Quite stunning to see it done so well and professionally, as the RHS declares, the "invaluable soil conditioner".

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm hoping my comfrey gets a wriggle on cos I want to drop some of that in with my tatties too.........

Council have shredded and cleared the heap that had comfrey and nettles on. Am well miffed

[binley100]

Come visit VVG I'll dig you a bit up .......

[VirginVegGrower]

Come visit VVG I'll dig you a bit up .......

I must get over - be great if the weather held for more than five minutes.