Early Potatoes

Boothy · « **on:** April 16, 2011, 08:30 »

Since planting my earlies three weeks ago, we've barely had a drop of rain. Should I be watering them?

JayG · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:23 »

I've watered mine, but then again I've only got 2 X 15' rows of them and my soil is very sandy.

If you do do it give them a thorough soaking rather than a surface sprinkling because they should be busy growing roots now and you want to encourage them to grow downwards rather than upwards!

Their water requirements are greater as they reach maturity, have lots of top growth, and the tubers are swelling, but as you say it has been unusually dry for a long time now.....

Salmo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:34 »

Just my opinion but I would not water them. Where the sees is there will be enough moisture and a bit of dry will encourage the roots to go down. In any case you will find it difficult to water enough to get down below the seed and all you will do is encourage weeds to grow on the surface.

peapod · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2011, 11:43 »

I watered mine yesterday after I earthed up. Its been very dry and breezy here.

I gave them a good drink and wont touch them now for a week or so.

Kristen · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2011, 12:27 »

I would dig a little hole and see how damp it is down there. My soil is plenty damp enough at 6" down, and we've barely had a drop of rain in two months. But if your soil is sandy that probably isn't the case. Surface-dryness won't necessarily indicate its dry a few inches down.

Goosegirl · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2011, 15:55 »

A good tip for watering is to have a furtle down with your fingers in the soil because, depending on your soil type, it is the best indicator if watering is needed.

aqua · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2011, 18:46 »

i feel better now - there is a job I don't have to do.... yet

peapod · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2011, 18:50 »

Quote from: aqua on April 16, 2011, 18:46

i feel better now - there is a job I don't have to do.... yet

I bet there is hundreds more

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Early Potatoes

Boothy

Early Potatoes

JayG

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Salmo

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peapod

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Kristen

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Goosegirl

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aqua

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peapod

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Early potatoes already?