[allstars_princess]

I think I read on a post recently that someone uses a bulb planter to make the space then drops in the spud.  Has anyone done this and does it work? 

I normally dig the trench...etc....etc.  Is this other method worth doing? 

Thanks.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Princess, I have done it with a bulb planter as I have a touch of arthritis and bending is sometimes bad enough, but getting onto hands and knees is worse!

The only thing doing it with a planter, is still have the surrounding soil dug over nice and loose, as the tuber roots need lots of room to be able to spread so hard soil wouldn't be good.  I don't think 

[SUTTY1]

i've done it that way last couple off years and had no problems and a decent crop!!!

Also a lot easier on back at planting and more time for coffee and chat,lol,

[DD.]

Like GA I'd find a bulb planter actually harder on the back as I'd have to bend over further.

I do find digging a trench helps to loosen the soil and while I'm at it, the manure gets chucked in.

[stompy]

I planted with a bulb planter, the only problem i had was that because the soil around them was still so hard it was very difficult to earth up, because of this i had alot of green potatoes.
If i was to do it again i would cover them with straw instead of earthing up.

I will be rotavating and planting on the same day this year, nice soft soil and my rotavator leaves a nice trench behind it to drop them straight into.

[DD.]

One other thing if using a bulb planter - I'd go two depths down. I like the TOP of my seed spud to be 3" below the surface, not the bottom of it.

[8doubles]

One other thing if using a bulb planter - I'd go two depths down. I like the TOP of my seed spud to be 3" below the surface, not the bottom of it.

I plant taters as above.

[bigben]

Last year I tried digging a trench and then using a bulb planter which meant it was easier earthing up. The first stage of earthing up was just backfilling the trench. It then left me able to earth up to a greater depth without running out of earth.

[diggerjoe]

I use trench and planter combination but then my bulb planter is one with a long handle - which saves my dodgy back for other digging projects

[allstars_princess]

I am going to give it a go tomorrow.  The ground was rotavated (sp) last October and a load of pigeon droppings was mixed in at the same time.  I went down during the week and it feels nice and loose, so I am hoping that this will work. 

Thanks very much for your advice.