[Yana]

I grew potatoes under black plastic last year and they were fairly successful. This year I thought I would try under straw and top with grass. I read this somewhere. Anyone else tried this method and what was the success rate? And what was the problems with it?

[cAnAry53]

tried it last year and this the only problem is having plenty of straw crop wise they grew really well for me and i could not tell any diference from earthing up,very easy to harvest just pull away some straw pick what you want and replace straw.

[galen]

I recall one of the vegtable growing gardening magazines doing a "trial" a couple of years ago and they had best ressults using grass and straw - but you do need a plentiful supply of it 

[A Reyt Tayty]

I earth up using a layer of grass cuttings, then some soil, then grass, then soil..................
It worked last year.

[DD.]

I earth up with soil, then soil, followed by soil.

It's worked for 40 years.

[A Reyt Tayty]

I earth up with soil, then soil, followed by soil.

It's worked for 40 years.

Cunning. I'll have to give that a try. 

[Yana]

So if I have already put on a 10cm layer of straw and then topped with grass, I add more straw and then more grass? I read that the grass keeps the light out so I don't want to add more straw and then find the grass forms a solid layer and the tops of the potatoes can't grow through.

[digital_biscuit]

I read it in a gardening magazine and did it a year or two ago. Worked a treat for me! Results were better than those in the soil, mainly as the soil was very waterlogged and obvs the straw wasn't. Give it a whirl! If we do have a schorchio summer you will need to keep on top of the watering though!!

[Kleftiwallah]

All my early and 2nd early are under a cozy covering of straw from the top of the horse muck heap upon which I nestled the spuds.  I haven't 'earthed up' just spread a layer of the straw over the lot.  Unable (and unwilling) to give a depth in CMs or MMs so there ! ! !  About 4".  .  .  .The spuds are now showing through.  I'm quite hopeful.

I tried 'under plastic' but the spud stems held the holes in the plastic open allowing the sun to turn a few of the spuds green.

Cheers,     Tony.

[compostqueen]

I have used grass mowings and straw but the darned stuff blows away I'm afraid so won't be bothering with that again.  If it's all you have though it will have to do

I don't do trenches for my spuds so I don't have that much soil for earthing up so to eke it out I use compost from the bins and manure

[Yana]

Not had a problem with it blowing  away - yet!

[Kirpi]

I have tried this method for five years so far with excellent results. The advantage is by the time to harvest the potatoes, the straw and grass has rotted down perfectly for my onion sets which are the following year's crop and I don't need to dig the plot over leaving the bed undisturbed so the earthworms and other soil friendlies thrive much better. Digging disturbs the whole soil ecosystem.

[Dopey113]

I earth up with soil, then soil, followed by soil.

It's worked for 40 years.

Maybe you have just been lucky for 40 years 

[Yana]

Kirpi, I've been to look at the potatoes today and they have grown through the grass. Did you add another layer of straw to keep the foliage covered?

[Kirpi]

Yes Yana. I just keep "earthing" up with more straw, grass clippings or home made compost until I am ready to let the plants mature. Remember, potatoes grow on the plant stems, not the roots so it pays to keep earthing up for a while.

To cap off the light from the new forming potatoes, put on a layer of grass clippings and this will block out the light.

When you want potatoes, just lift the layers and furtle about, leaving the plant to live on and produce more.