Potatoes in raised bed query

  • 6 Replies
  • 1717 Views
*

rookie1

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Near Kidderminster
  • 114
Potatoes in raised bed query
« on: July 12, 2018, 17:36 »
Afternoon all - I sowed my 2nd early seed potatoes in a raised bed which is approx. 6' x 4', planting them closer than in open ground. Due to the close planting I couldn't earth them up, but while the plants were growing up strongly the density of the haulms was enough to keep the light out; however, now that everything is matured the stalks and leaves are flopping over and I can see some potatoes near the surface of the soil which are now green. Having just returned from holiday I haven't started harvesting yet. Should I try and cover the plants with something to keep further light damage down - and if so what and how? If that's not the solution, any ideas? There's a limit to how many potatoes even I can eat in one sitting ...

*

greenjay

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: monmouthshire
  • 480
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2018, 20:34 »
once they have gone green you cant reverse it. I have tried!
the potatoes have to be covered even if the haulms are lush.

*

Yorkie

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North Yorkshire
  • 26329
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2018, 22:21 »
Chances are that there will be more tubers below the surface that haven't turned green :)
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

*

Eblana

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Dublin, Ireland
  • 1105
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2018, 00:32 »
I usually spread a mulch of compost on my spuds in raised beds instead of earthing up

*

Goosegirl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Caton, Lancaster.
  • 8941
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2018, 12:06 »
I also grow mine in raised beds and have a similar problem but any green ones seem to be small so they get thrown away.
I work very hard so don't expect me to think as well.

*

upert

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Midlands
  • 497
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2018, 13:49 »
I plant potatoes in raised beds and sometimes find it difficult to earth them up. One year I tried straw and grass clippings as cover. You could try that. I did have more slug damage though, they loved the cover.

I would always try and cover them though.

*

rookie1

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Near Kidderminster
  • 114
Re: Potatoes in raised bed query
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2018, 20:54 »
Thanks all for your advice. I'll try harder next year to cover the growing haulms - maybe covering with some spent compost is the answer, as getting in between the rows is so difficult. 



xx
Raised bed query

Started by sandygreen on Grow Your Own

8 Replies
1849 Views
Last post April 25, 2010, 22:55
by blackbob
xx
Raised beds, compost query.

Started by retrorose on Grow Your Own

3 Replies
1840 Views
Last post March 30, 2008, 23:18
by John
question
compost query in raised beds

Started by rookie1 on Grow Your Own

2 Replies
1689 Views
Last post April 20, 2016, 11:42
by rookie1
xx
potatoes in bags query

Started by davethespread on Grow Your Own

12 Replies
2515 Views
Last post June 17, 2010, 22:14
by white westie
 

Page created in 0.319 seconds with 35 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |