[davidmw]

Hi people.  Im having a little nightmare I have had loads of weeds growing around my potatoes which is going to be a nightmare to dig them all out.  Is there anything I could do to kill the weeds but without killing the potatoe plants.  So far I have thought of putting black sheeting over the full area and cutting holes and pulling the plants through them.


Thanks

[bigben]

Hoeing or earthing up should spoil their day.

[Aunt Sally]

That's right.

I was going to say that weeds are not generally a problem wich potatoes.Earthing up gets rid of them when the potato plants are small and when the potatoes are bigger then the foliage shades between the rows and there's not space left for the weeds.

[fatcat1955]

I would not go anywhere near my spuds with a hoe. 1 slip = no spuds. Hand weed and as Auntie says, the shade cast by the foliage should keep them at bay.

[Lupin lurcher]

Hi I also hand weed everything.  I have noticed quite a few people over our allotment put their grash cuttings over them.

[Zippy]

I also put grash cuttings down among my potatosh as they cuts out the light against getting green shpuds. Shorry - I couldnt reshist!

[troubrs]

I also put grash cuttings down among my potatosh as they cuts out the light against getting green shpuds. Shorry - I couldnt reshist!

Like!

[TheSpartacat]

Hi people.  Im having a little nightmare I have had loads of weeds growing around my potatoes which is going to be a nightmare to dig them all out.  

Curious... what kind of weeds are they? Are you talking brambles and bindweed and perennials of that sort, or just annual seedlings? Just curious in case there's a nightmare unfolding in your spud patch that we're overlooking.

(lol at Zippy )
And to your question about chemical approach - no, i don't think there is any quick fix that wouldnt involve killing the potato plants as well. (and would you want to spray chemicals next to something you'll eat in a few weeks?)
I always hand weed, but i only get annuals growing as i sorted out the perennials before sowing.

[davidmw]

The weeds are just annual seedlings.  I have had a go at picking some of them out today but its gonna be a long process.  What is the putting of grass cuttings around the plants all about,  might give this a go once next time I cut my garden


Thanks

[DD.]

Why pick them out?

The first two replies to your question nailed the answer.

Putting your grass cuttings on your spuds is another way of cutting out the light.