[Size66]

Hi, Im new to this lark and have, in the past 2 months staarted planting an allotment, how and when do i earth up potatoes?,
i have only 2 rows of about 30 in each row

[mellowmick]

I'm new to this lark too. My tatties didn't come up in the nice rows wot (I like to think) I planted them in, so it's difficult to earth them up in nice ridges like everyone elses.
I'm adopting a policy of earthing them up in individual mounds, which I've already started now that they're about 6" above the ground.
It's designed to a) encourage roots developing at the bottom of the stems and b) protect the developing tatties from sunlight which turns them green, ruining them. I've heard people in areas where there's the risk of late frosts earthing right over emerging plants to protect them.

[GrannieAnnie]

Mine are still groiwng out the sides of the rows too Mellow, but am earthing up the sides as much as I can.  But I've covered 7 rows in terram so am hoping, no earthing up and not many weeds, although OH keeps telling me I'm going to have awful slug problems.  But we don't seem to get too many slugs down here..........yet!!!

[Gwiz]

i earthed up as far as i could go say about a foot or so, then filled in the ridges with manure ( horses from the rear of ) no light should get through that!

[Size66]

By earthing up do we mean just throwing spades of soil on top of the plant, im afraid i may snap the plant and kill it if i do that.
I went to my plot last night and the weeds are coming throughj at olympic pace. i think ive lost seed sown carrot and onion but some other things planted from bought young plants are doing OK, Cabbage, Brocc, Sprouts Turnip etc.
The only successes i look like having from seed are lettuce, and Peas.

[Heather_S]

Gently raking up loose soil around the plant to cover the stems.

[Size66]

Darn, i buried mine

[Gwiz]

panic ye not. they will soon poke back through!