November 2, 2024

VIDEO: Easy earthing up on potatoes with compost


Plants root deeply into this no dig soil. However the potato tubers we eat develop mostly near the surface.
As they become numerous, they push upwards and into the light, which makes them green with solanine, which is slightly poisonous.
That is the reason for what is called earthing up. You pull surrounding soil over the tops and around the stems.

Another way is what I show you here, using compost to cover the developing potatoes. This has extra value in feeding soil for the next planting, which in this case will be leeks in July.

These potatoes are Charlotte, a second early variety which comes ready to harvest by the middle of July. You can see them already they are flowering this is 6th June, after fewer late frosts than usual.

I made a mistake in this video and called the 20 L bucket I’m using, a 30 L bucket. I’m using 20 L to cover eight plants, so it’s about 2.5 L per plant, or half a gallon. The Compost is from our local recycling facility and it’s one year since I bought it.

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22 thoughts on “VIDEO: Easy earthing up on potatoes with compost

  1. I used lots of grass clippings last year which worked well, so I'm doing the same this year.
    Going to be busy soon, as the town council clerk just told me there are two allotments coming up for rent & I get first pick…

  2. That works well however I'm surprised you leave the flowers on. I have read and heard leaving flowers reduces the tuber production. It maybe more important on later varieties.

  3. Just pulled up my potatoes and they did exactly what you said they'd do in no dig, they was all in the compost at the top which lifted up like a mat, I broke off all the roots that was holding the compost got all the potatoes and then just spread the compost back on the beds. It was a low yeild this year but I suspect that's because the strawberries that was in before the potatoes had some kind of infection which effected the potato leaves. I planted brussel sprouts in their place. I've never had any luck with sprouts but I'm hoping the position I've put them in this year will help (it's the only bed that gets sunlight into winter, the rest are shaded by a house from around autumn but get plenty of light during the summer when the sun is higher)

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