What do other people add to the soil to grow potatoes in the ground? I was going to use Chicken manure, Fish Blood and Bone and some Potato Fertiliser but can't decide if it's better to use the Chicken manure or to get some Stable manure or alternatively compost to put in the bottom of the drill
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Planting potatoes in the ground
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I would say a lot depends on the current state of your soil.
My soil is a sticky clay so I've had to add manure/compost to it in the past in order to create a looser soil structure for the tubers to grow in. The good thing about clay is it locks in a lot of nutrients so I've been able to harvest a good crop of tatties each year without having to use fertilizer.
I did experiment with chicken manure pellets last year, and the crop was even better. Imo I'd say use these manure pellets as they provide a balanced amount of nutrients all of which potatoes need to grow well. Whereas bone meal(which has more of an emphasis on phosphorus and calcium), i think tends to be for helping vigorous root growth and fruit set, so helpful for things like newly planted trees or tomato plants.Last edited by solanaceae; 15-03-2016, 06:44 PM.
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I planted out my potatoes yesterday and I used seaweed, rotted leaves and chicken pellets.
I did this last year and was pleased with the crop I got.
And when your back stops aching,
And your hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.
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I just sprinkle fish blood and bone fert on and use the compost out my bins dug into the plot.
I don't advocate using slug pellets on top of your soil but I do sprinkle them in with the seed potatoes when I plant them to kill any slugs underground that try to eat them before the plants get established.
That way Mrs Tiggywinkle and the birds are not harmed in any way.The day that Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck ...
... is the day they make vacuum cleaners
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I don't use chicken pellets but always thought they weren't a balanced fertiliser and were high in nitro? If so, surely you will encourage top growth at the detriment to tuber production?My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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I fill my trenches with ripped comfrey leaves, which we have growing in abundance round the perimeter of the plots.
A bit of compost around each individual seed potato and some shredded newspapers if I have any (although I don't really buy them nowadays).
I bought some potato fertiliser from the pound shop - never used it before, but might sprinkle some on this year........because you're thinking of putting the kettle on and making a pot of tea perhaps, you old weirdo. (Veggie Chicken - 25/01/18)
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I dont have access to proper manure so what ever is at hand gets used for the potatoes.
I have also used shredded paper.
And when your back stops aching,
And your hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.
Rudyard Kipling.sigpic
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Originally posted by Snadger View PostI don't use chicken pellets but always thought they weren't a balanced fertiliser and were high in nitro? If so, surely you will encourage top growth at the detriment to tuber production?
Compared to bone meal it's balanced at least, maybe that's what I meant . Bone meal NPK is 3-9-0.
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To be honest the only reason I use chicken manure pellets is because I saw a vid on the bbc site where a fella called Toby Buckland recommended they be used. And as he's been a regular on gardener's world I took it as gospel. Can't complain, always get a fab crop .
BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - Growing potatoes
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