Potato haulms - compost or not?

[1Bee]

We've had one full smith period warning here, but no reported blight on the site as yet. My potato haulms are dying back now, and have a bit magnesium deficiency, but the stems are untouched by anything so I don't think I have any signs of blight on them.

I'd like to compost the haulms, otherwise I've got to bag them up and take them back home which is a faff (nowhere to burn).

What do you think?

[bario1]

It's fine to compost blighted foliage, I think.

[veggiechicken]

Does this help? http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ost_80547.html

[1Bee]

Yes, it does, thanks! I think if I cut off the stems, chop 'em, and make sure they compost thoroughly, I should be fine.

I don't *think* I've got any blight, but I wasn't sure.

[Penellype]

I've composted blight ridden tomato stems and foliage in an ordinary compost heap and been fine the next year. Blight can't survive without living plant material, so as long as everything is well rotted down you will be fine.

[bramble]

I always get rid of the foliage from tomato and potatoes. Wouldnt want to take any chances, its not worth it.

[Bigmallly]

The only thing I do is cut the roots off as I don't want rogue Spuds/Toms in my compost.

[Bill HH]

I put a lot of my used potato compost on the garden if I dont re use it, but I get spuds popping up everywhere. Mind you they are easy to pull up.
I used to put potato peelings in the compost but they all sprout and so now I bin them.

[alldigging]

Compost it all. The worst that happens is you make new potato plants. The biggest spud I've ever grown was in a compost bin.

[1Bee]

Spoke too soon. *eyeroll* Was taking the haulms off as a precautionary measure when I cut into one which I thought had naturally died back, and it was slimy and black underneath. Sighs. Of course, now we have to leave the tatties for two weeks, and the day after there was a huge downpour, helpfully washing those lovely spores into the tubers...