Spuds in Rows

Now being the novice I am I just wondered how many rows of spuds to plant in a patch 7 feet wide. I was going to do 2 so that there was plenty of space between and then when it came to earthing up I had plenty of space between to 'borrow' soil from. The trouble is when I dug some furrows it just looks a bit wasteful of space and that a third row could be readily accomodated.

The reason why I ask is that last year I tried to squeeze too much into a different patch and couldn't keep them properly earthed up.

I know there must be a knack too it.

Oh and another thing, the patch is 7 foot wide and 30 foot long with the length being North to South. Would people go for 7 foot wide rows west to east or longer runs North to South. I have about 12 kilos of seed potato to put in?

I was hoping to get started this weekend but I'm one of those indecisive people that puts things in, descides its wrong, digs it back out and then does it wrong again.

By asking now hopefully I'm saving work later!!

Many thanks,

MrM

 

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Children/For-families/Grow-it!/Plant-early-potatoes
[*]Plant either in a drill or in individual holes in the soil, 7-15 cm deep, with the sprouts pointing upwards and cover with at least 2.5 cm of soil.
[*]Space early potatoes as close as 30-38 cm between the tubers, and 38-50 cm between the rows. However, a wider row spacing of 50-60 cm makes ‘earthing up’
[*]much easier and is recommended if you have the space.
[*]They can also be grown easily in pots, tubs and dustbins if there are drainage holes.
[/LIST]
Maintenance:

When there are about 20 -30cm of growth above the soil, you will need to ‘earth up’. This is when the soil is drawn up around the stems to prevent tubers being pushed to the surface and turning green in the light, making them inedible. The soil should be drawn up to leave 10 cm of leaves exposed to the light and this should be done on a regular basis.

 

Thanks Lazy - I think it was that issue of having enough soil between the rows to make sure that I could earth up. Last year there was so much top growth that I couldn't build big enough mounds along the rows because there was insufficient earth inbetween to keep piling on top.

Now North to South in 30 foot long rows or West to East in 7 foot rows??

 

Run the rows North/South given the choice. You'll get three rows in 7' width - that's a row spacing of 70cm / 27" (35cm / 14" between outer rows and the "edge" and 70 cm between outer rows and the middle one).

Earth up when frost is forecast and completely cover the growth. If no frost earth up when there is 9" - 12" of growth; if you wait longer you may damage stems etc in the process, but I find it best to delay as long as possible in case there is frost. Once you have fully earthed up and they grow through again you ain't got any more dirt to earth up with to cover them , thus you should have no difficulty getting between the rows at that time.

If you get frost after you have earthed them up as much as you can spread a really generous layer of moved grass on them (NOT including grass clippings if you have used a selcetive weedkiller on the grass). The reason I say "generous" is that the grass clippings will become only 1/10th of their volume in a few weeks, and so a generous layer will a) last for several future nights of frost and also b) provide a mulch thereafter (at a time when you won't be able to get into the crop). You can also cover them with Fleece if frost is forecast (or as in olden days get up at 4am and "wash" the frost off with a hosepipe)

 

Being careful to observe hosepipe bans, if one is on place of course.

First earlies can be planted 12" apart in rows 12-15ins apart, they wont be in too long so do not need as much earthing up.

Second earlies and maincrop can be planted 15" apart in rows 20 -24 inches apart.

I dig out a furrow, line with well rotted manure, place seed then I really cover them up, then earth them up on top of that, that extra soil on top helps potects from frost (we can have frost here in Cumbria, in June). By the time they are sprouting out of the time they should only need one more eathing up, maincrops may need two.

First earlies planted last year, 6-9 inches below soil level, then earthed on top. Note the canes marking the rows, so I know exactly where to earth up.



The same bed in June



Once the first earlies are lifted I can "borrow" some soil from there for the next lot if needed, same scenario with the second earlies, once they are lifted then the maincrops can have more soil if needed for earthing up, I just fill a trug squish it to form a spout and walk the row tipping it out, nice and easy.

Steve...

 

Thanks Kristen & Steve that is a great help. Good shout with the frosts. I put three rows of pentland javelin in Saturday and we had frost Saturday and last night. Two in quick succession and yet we've only had three all year!!

Still trying to work out how to get photos online but will try and get some on to show progress!

Thanks again, made my weekend much more productive

 

Would help to know where you are - can you put a town / county / somesuch in your Profile please? (Shows up on the left of your post then )

You can't upload a photo straight from camera, the file size is too big, so you will have to reduce it first. Not sure what the max size is, but I think it might be 750KB

If that wasn't your problem describe what message you get, or what steps you are going through, and we'll try to help

 

Will do!! Not at home at present but will try later on with photo. Why is it that my 7 year old can work my mobile better than I can!!

Oh and East Devon but I shall update my profile forthwith

 

No one has told your 7 year old that its difficult !!