[AmandaLouise]

I planted some earlies couple of weeks ago.  Yesterday I thought Id do some maincrops, even though it was really damp.  I went to make a trench and there was a small puddle of water, and I didnt bother.  It looks like it is quite a waterlogged bed, and I expect my potatoes that are in there will probably rot.  So disheartened.  I feel I do everything slightly wrong, from sowing to growing, like Frank Spencer of the allotment world!

[Billnorfolk]

Hi Amanda

Probably need compost manure or straw digging in to open it up a wee bit and help with drainage,when wet best not to walk about on it as it compacts and makes it harder to drain.If you get a chance open it up with a garden fork stick it in and prise the ground open may help.

[flitwickone]

dont worry they maybe ok this year i planted my 1st and 2nd earliers the width aprt that i dhould have had the rows so my earthing up is gonna be mad

pots are hardy so you never know

[richyrich7]

Hi Amanda, 1st thing to remember is " the man/woman who never made a mistake, never made anything "

your earlies may be ok, they've had a couple of weeks to get started, like Flitwickone says they are quite hardy.

gardening's a funny game, you can do everything right and get hardly anything and everything wrong and get a bumper crop. 
So just try not to worry too much do your best, have fun and enjoy what you do 

[Abbeyview]

Do not worry too much Amanda over the years I have seen many fields with standing water in
the potatoe rows for days on end with no detrimental effect to the end result.
If you think the soil is holding water due to being compacted you could use a fork to loosen the soil as close as possible to your seed without disturbing them. 

[AmandaLouise]

Thanks a lot.  I know I think I am a worrier so will just have to learn by my mistakes.  We have had a lot of rain havent we, especially in sunny Manchester!   A lot of the soil is boggy but then I forget it seems okay when its dry.  I know most of the beds were acid when I tested it, which I know potatoes like, but do they like swimming too?!  it shouldnt be compacted, as its been well dug, and we have took great care not to stand on it, so I will do what you recommend and dig the fork around it a bit.  I have fleece on also but I dont suppose that will have much effect.  I put that on a couple of weeks ago when we had some frosty nights.  I have some King edwards and desiree to put in, will just wait a bit longer,  will that be okay??

Heard today we are gonna have a really wet May though!!!

[Abbeyview]

The fleece will protect from frost however it also is great at keeping soil moist by stopping the wind drying the soil maybe you have a bit of juggling to do frost protection  v wind drying, If the potato foliage is not  showing above ground maybe drying would be benificial, , your call on how convenient it is to remove the fleece and recover if frost is forecast.
good luck.

[sunshineband]

and it is not too late to plant the others either

[AmandaLouise]

Thanks Abbeyview, think I will take your advice and remove it, and like you say muddle and juggle my way around it !!!