earthing up potatoes when soil is hard

Welsh Girls Allotment · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2008, 20:50 »

Quote from: "DD."

Quote from: "backpain"
Hi DD,

So just for my numpty benefit, what does earthing up actually do. I can kind of guess, but your expert view would be appreciated.

How long will the flowers take to arrive?

Cheers :?

Thanks to Trill for answering, (backpain - I'm stuck in Cardiff at the moment, back to sunny L'boro tomorrow).

I anticipate flowers in June on mine, then I'll start scratching about!

'stuck in Cardiff' :evil: How very dare you !! Cardiff is fabulous

woodburner · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2008, 21:49 »

I'm new to growing potatoes so maybe I've missed something, but is there something wrong wtih 'artificial' rain? i.e. watering with hose or can?

DD. · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2008, 09:11 »

Quote from: "woodburner"

I'm new to growing potatoes so maybe I've missed something, but is there something wrong wtih 'artificial' rain? i.e. watering with hose or can?

No - the famers do it!

DD. · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2008, 09:12 »

Quote from: "Welsh Girls Allotment"

Quote from: "DD."
Quote from: "backpain"
Hi DD,

So just for my numpty benefit, what does earthing up actually do. I can kind of guess, but your expert view would be appreciated.

How long will the flowers take to arrive?

Cheers :?

Thanks to Trill for answering, (backpain - I'm stuck in Cardiff at the moment, back to sunny L'boro tomorrow).

I anticipate flowers in June on mine, then I'll start scratching about!

'stuck in Cardiff' :evil: How very dare you !! Cardiff is fabulous

Wasn't so fabulous in last night's thunderstorm!

Welsh Girls Allotment · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2008, 21:18 »

The thunder and lightening was amazing - my husband still thinks I'm lying as he was so drunk he slept thorough it all :roll:

It went on for hours I've never experianced a storm like it

shaun · « **Reply #20 on:** May 10, 2008, 21:48 »

run a rotavator down the row and earth em up with a rake,werks for me

littlelisa · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2008, 16:11 »

Quote from: "MarkG"

Argh, 7 different types of Azada :shock:

Found them at this website in the UK.

http://www.get-digging.co.uk/tools.htm

I'm gonna try the Medium Asada, which it says is good general purpose tool. I'll report back when I've had a go.

always check ebay for tools too... found some on there

Trillium · « **Reply #22 on:** May 11, 2008, 17:02 »

Quote from: "shaun"

run a rotavator down the row and earth em up with a rake,werks for me

Good idea if you have one; not everyone does.
When I first started gardening, I kept getting advice about using the rotovatar which I found annoying as I couldn't afford one for many years.

Teen76 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 11, 2008, 17:12 »

I have one of those azadas at work I may borrow it (for a long time

) as it doesn't ever get used. Are they good for scooping out trenches in heavy clay soil too? Its back breaking digging it out with a spade.

Trillium · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2008, 17:16 »

I bought one just for trenching. Have tried spades in the past and they're too hard work. The azada gives you better balance which is less tiring, and the sharp edge really cuts through soil. Just watch for rocks and buried junk.

Teen76 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 11, 2008, 17:46 »

Thanks Trillium that was a great piece of information you gave as I don't have a very strong back and anything to help it is great as I love gardening.

I shall definitely use it for making trenches for potatoes and beans now.

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