[DD.]

Agree with the offset patterns for other veg but it will be a bit difficult to earth up if you use that sort of pattern for potatoes though..... won't it?

That why i went for the 2 long rows so i can easily pull up earth from the middle of the bed with the draw hoe.

My thoughts exactly.

[DD.]

DD thanks for advice about beetroot, I think I might be able to find somewhere else to put them. Could i put them in my legumes bed ? I know they are root crops so for rotation purposes don't belong in there, but I shall be planting brassicas in that bed next so surely that won't be a problem ?

Provided they don't get crowded out, that should be OK.

[harrymac]

DD thanks for advice about beetroot, I think I might be able to find somewhere else to put them. Could i put them in my legumes bed ? I know they are root crops so for rotation purposes don't belong in there, but I shall be planting brassicas in that bed next so surely that won't be a problem ?

I've used the same reasoning and planted beetroot in the south side of the bed where I've built a munty frame for the runner beans.

[Adrian]

It's not really a problem with earthing up - just a different technique. I usually start with the beds a bit low and top them up with some additional soil and/or compost to earth up a bit. (There's usually some soil available from the various mounds of turfs).

You should also note that earthing up isn't the most important thing in the world. You want to make sure any potatoes that appear are covered, but I'm not toally convinced there's good scientifiec research about additional cropping, unless you really get some additional height (as you would in a big pot, barrel, or whatever). Happy to be proved wrong  :happy:

Cheers,

Adrian

[mumofstig]

It's not really a problem with earthing up - just a different technique. I usually start with the beds a bit low and top them up with some additional soil and/or compost to earth up a bit. (There's usually some soil available from the various mounds of turfs).

It would still be a problem for me then, cos i ain't got any wonderful piles of earth going spare in my garden jealousy is a curse!!

[andtiggertoo]

Thanks for both sets of advice re the earthing up. I do have a bit of turf that is in a pile slowly turning into loam that might be ready in time to use for earthing up. I also have the last woody remnants from the old compost heap, which I assumed I could only use as mulch, not sure if that would be suitable for earthing up.

I've only grown potatoes a couple of times before and I have to admit I've been a bit remiss with the earthing up thing. It would be good to hear more opinions on the merits of earthing up or not, particularly as not doing then allows more interplanting.

[kentishlad]

Hi, Re the earthing up dilemma I've tried a couple of things over the last few years and found that the best way for me is to go for two rows in the bed but start by scooping extra soil into the middle and created lower troughs for the planting, I use manure under the spuds too. Come time to earth up you have a big mound in the middle ready to be pulled around them  . I don't have a lot of room for storing up the earth either  :blink:

[mumofstig]

Kentishlad that's exactly what i've done