Potatoes in compost

[Alice]

Today I started filling my second raised bed. The contents of the dalek compost bin were tipped into the bottom of it. Many of the potato peelings were not well composted and had shoots up to 12" long on them. The beds are 18" deep but I just have visions of these potatoes coming up everywhere. Am I right to worry and what can I do about it.

[shirlthegirl43]

I think you have a choice either to pick out all the shoots you can find - or enjoy the free crop!

[Alice]

Oh Shirl - that's what I was afraid of I haven't added anything else yet so maybe I'm going to have to rake it all out

[Alice]

Any other suggestions Guys and Gals ? There are no green shoots, just white runners a foot long. If I leave them will potatoes come up all over the place. Is there anything I can sprinkle over them - sulphate of ammonia maybe - to just make them compost down where they are ? Or do I really have to rake the whole lot out. It would be a big job as all the compost tipped in there is full of these runners. Please help.

[rustylady]

You don't need to rake it out Alice. Many of them will have been broken off when tipping into the raised bed and will probably just rot down causing no harm at all. If any do make green shoots on the surface you can either leave them alone and let them produce potatoes, or just pull them up.

[Alice]

Thanks Rustylady, that sounds more hopeful. I think I'll rake it all to one end. That way if it ends up in a potato mess it will all be in one place and not the length of the bed.

Should I stop putting potato peelings in the Dalek bin. It's sighted in a much warmer place than it was before so I hope it will compost more quickly.

[shirlthegirl43]

I leave the colander with the peelings in it in the sink and when the spuds are cookec I drain the boiling water off them over the peelings. They look different afterwards and I hope that it kills them off - havent noticed any spud sprouts in the compost bin yet anyway. Going to try Terriers tip from another thread and keep the spud peelings in a separate heap on a spare bit of garden with old compost and 'spent' growbag contents and see if I get new spuds for Christmas.

[jacob marley]

Thanks Rustylady, that sounds more hopeful. I think I'll rake it all to one end. That way if it ends up in a potato mess it will all be in one place and not the length of the bed.

Should I stop putting potato peelings in the Dalek bin. It's sighted in a much warmer place than it was before so I hope it will compost more quickly.

you could try putting any netles or comfrey in there as well it would help with the coposting or if you want to make sure some sulphare of ammonia that should warm it up a bit

[Alice]

Thanks Jacob, I had thought about sulphate of ammonia, but I'll definitely put it on my shopping list. Of nettles I have plenty. Some of them can go in too.

[JennieAtkinson]

I've had to pull a few growing potatoes out of the broad bean bed today. I think sometimes when I tip the compost from the pots into the compost bin there are very tiny little potatoes, which then seed the following year. I suppose we just can't get away from it!

[Alice]

I know Jennie, But I tipped the whole Dalek into the bottom of the raised bed, and there were uncomposted potato peelings and big white shoots 12" long by the million. Spuds coming up all over my raised bed is not what I was looking for. I'm looking for a way to make sure they'll rot there, or I might have to rake the whole lot out. Horror of horrors !

[Grandpadragon]

Hi Alice,
Am I right that what you refer to as a "Dalek" is a conical plastic compost bin? if so that is what I use and have no problem with potato peelings. I have found over the last year that adding fresh horse manure seems to get every thing composting quicker and more thoroughly, and yes I do carry bags in the car and stop if I see any Sad aint it!