Potatoes

Seed potatoes are usually planted at the end of March. Some seasoned allotmenteers always plant on Easter Weekend. There are hundreds of varieties - they are divided into first earlies, second earlies and main crop, but all are planted at the same time. This refers to the length of time before harvesting. Main crop potatoes can be left in the ground until needed but it is usually better to lift them before the frosts come as they are easily damaged by low temperatures. The waxy salad type of potato is usually the early varieties but there are main crop potatoes that are waxy, eg pink fir apple.

The potatoes are planted in trenches. Usually a trench about 6" deep is dug and the potatoes laid at the bottom of this. Well rotted manure or compost can be put underneath the seed potatoes. The distance between rows is at least 12", if space allows then 15" to 18" is better. Each seed potato is planted 12" apart. Main crop varieties produce more if given 18" spacings. The trench is then back filled to the original level.

As the green shoots or hulms start to appear above ground they are usually "earthed up". This is where earth is pulled up either side of the row to cover the leaves. The leaves quickly grow through this layer and the earthing up is repeated. You probably won't need to repeat this again. A ridge will be made along the row of the potatoes. The reason for doing this is to make sure that the potatoes that are developing underground do not get too near the surface and potentially become green as this makes them inedible.

First earlies can usually be lifted in June. Once you see the small white flowers appear on the tall green growth you can investigate below ground and start lifting crops. Potatoes are great as you can go along the row just lifting as many as you want for the next meal.

No-Dig Method

On the SEEWEN allotment we are using this method. We have laid down cardboard and then covered this with a thick layer of horse manure. We did this early so that by the time we come to plant in March the fresh manure will not be too harsh for the seed potatoes. The idea is to pull back the manure and make a hole through the cardboard - which will be pretty rotten by then. The potato will be layed on the ground and the manure pulled back over it. When they start to send up their hulms we will gradually "earth" them up with the straw. By next June the layer of straw will be very thick. Grass cuttings are also good to lay on the straw to block out light (light turns the growing potatoes green and inedible).

When the potatoes are lifted the soil will be very easy to dig. A lot of the annual weeds will been smothered and the worms will have done their work in taking down the manure into the top layer of soil. We will still have to dig out the roots of the brambles and possibly some of the nettles but it will be an easier job because they have been weakened by excluding the light.