[Shieldsy]

Hi all,

I am growing King Edwards and Maris in raised beds and have already earthed up a couple of times so the beds are now full to overflowing so can'y earth up any further but the top growth is now about 2 foot high and flowers will be out in a few das looking at them........what should I do as surely they are too early for harvestng as yet?

Any advce/suggestions?

Cheers,

Al

[mumofstig]

King Edwards are a maincrop, so just leave them in til the haulms (top growth) die down before harvesting. (They should be ok without further earthing, but if you do have grass mowings or compost spare you could put some of that around, to stop pots near the surface from greening)

Which Maris are you growing Bard, Peer or Piper?

[aelf]

yep, my main crop are all over 2 feet high and I'm done earthing up. I'm thinking the end of July for harvesting mine 

[Shieldsy]

OK sounds like I hit the panicbutton a little early :-)

It's Maris Piper I am growing

Thanks all

Al

[mumofstig]

Maris Piper is also a maincrop, so same thing applies to these

[stompy]

I thought the primary purpose for earthing up was to sheild the new growth from frost?

Once the risk of frost had passed there was no more need to do it!

[mumofstig]

It's also to stop the greening of any potatoes that grow near the surface.

Even if you plant after frosts you will still need to earth up a bit,  a side effect of the earthing is frost protection

[Shieldsy]

Thanks all for your responses........feel happier now :-)

Will add some grass cuttings after it has it's next haircut

Cheers

Al

[fatcat1955]

July is a bit early for harvesting main crops. September is the usual month to start