Author Topic: Earthing up spuds (Read 2464 times)

Mel Rice · « **on:** May 18, 2012, 11:18:15 am »

Mine are just comming through now. Should I cover them with another layer of soil? Or wait and pack soil around the stems leaving the leaves sticking out?

I tried the later last year and it worked (sort of) as the slugs seemed to enjoy the gaps around the stems too much.....slug patrol has started every evening (Duck treats)

I planted each spud in a fairly deep hole , back filling to cover, and plan to have it the other way round by the time they are done.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:02:57 pm »

I wait til mine are a few inches above the soil then use a draw hoe or rake to gently pull the soil up the stems (whilst standing on the opposite side of the row, then I go round the other side to do the second side), leaving the leaves poking out of the top. I repeat this whenever there is a bit of stalk showing, until I can't get between the rows. Normally I don't cover the leaves, unless there is a frost forecast when I make the ridge so it comes above the leaves. This is by drawing up the soil, not piling it on top which could break the stems

MAK · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2012, 05:05:37 pm »

I usually draw up around the stems and spare the leaves BUT we had a frost a few days ago and the leaves got burnt. New growth is coming up and save for the black burnt leaves they seem to be recovering. Good tip from fleecewife to earth up ovet the leaves rather than search for protective cloth against the frost.

Mel Rice · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2012, 05:57:29 pm »

Ta muchly...I was doing it right then.

MAK · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2012, 07:58:37 pm »

Mel - have you had a warm spell ? I see southern D has been hot.
Are you picking anything yet?
we have 24 lettuce already to eat so have it for breakfast

Mel Rice · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2012, 12:33:26 pm »

salad leaves and two head of letuce (I cheated and bought a few plants for the first 5) And the first lot of radish are all ready...OH doesnt like them so Ive only had a few.....A couple of beans are through but I think the seed tray area got too hot YES HOT for them Ill have to re sow in the beds!

We had a few days of around 10 but today its early 20's again with a strong breeze...We are so far East that we often get Polands weather rather than Germanys.