[Kajazy]

I was late putting in my seed potatoes (I was clearing ground on my new plot, and it all took a long time!) and the leaves are only now beginning to poke through - at the same time, we've been forecast a frost this weekend - should I cover over this new growth with earth, or will this kill them off as much as the frost?!
Thanks for any advice - never grown spuds before

[mumofstig]

earth them up for protection from the frost and to help stop the potatoes from turning green, as they form near the surface

[Zippy]

Mulch with lawn mowings or compost - amounts to the same protection and the worms will drag it down and feed the ground as it rots down.

I have earthworms as big as sloworms!

[Kajazy]

Ooo - good idea - we just cut the grass yesterday!

[JayG]

Ooo - good idea - we just cut the grass yesterday!

.......but not if you have treated the grass with weedkiller, or weed and feed this year! 

[Kajazy]

Hee hee - if you could only see the state of our lawn....! Dandelions rule, OK!

[Kleftiwallah]

Waste not etc,  dandylion wine is veeerrry nice.     Cheers,   Tony.

[LeeR]

I tend to use well rotted manure to earth up my potatoes.  As beans follow potatoes in my crop rotation they'll love it for next year.  Two birds with one stone.  Just make sure the manure is well rotted so you don't burn the potato plants.