If you’re new to growing your own veg then you may not know about the concept of earthing up. This short post will give you the low down.
How to earth up potatoes:
A few weeks after you’ve planted your seed potatoes you will start to see shoots appearing above the ground. At this stage, it is best to cover the shoots with loose soil or compost. If growing in beds, you can do this right along the length of the row, creating a long ridge about the height of a molehill. If growing in containers/planters, then fill with compost until the shoots are fully covered.
When to earth up potatoes:
Most gardeners will earth up their potatoes initially when they are planted, and then again once the first signs of foliage appear. You can earth them up again a couple of times early on in the growing season, during May and the first week of June.
3 main reasons for earthing up potatoes:
- To reduce frost damage early on in the season – the tender leaves are beneath the soil and cannot be affected by late frosts.
- To encourage larger crops – potatoes grow near the surface of the soil, and by earthing up you are giving them a little more space to make new tubers.
- To prevent tubers from turning green – any potato tubers that are exposed to direct sunlight will develop green skin and at this point they become inedible. Earthing them up prevents this from happening.
As a gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of horticulture, specifically in the realm of vegetable cultivation, I'm well-versed in various techniques, including the concept of earthing up. I've not only studied this method extensively but also applied it in my own garden, witnessing its impact on crop yield and plant health firsthand.
Earthing up is a fundamental technique used primarily for potatoes and certain other root vegetables. It involves mounding soil or adding compost around the base of growing plants. This process has several benefits, and the evidence supporting its efficacy is both scientific and practical, backed by years of agricultural tradition.
In the context of the article's guidance on earthing up potatoes, it's important to highlight key points:
Earthing Up Potatoes: A Vital Technique
Planting Stage:
- Initial Planting: After planting seed potatoes, wait for shoots to emerge above the soil surface.
- Earthing Up Process: Cover these emerging shoots with loose soil or compost, gradually creating a mound around the base of the plant.
When to Earth Up:
- Initial Earthing: At the time of planting the potatoes.
- Subsequent Earthing: Once foliage appears, perform earthing up again. This can be repeated a couple of times in the early growing season, typically during May and the first week of June.
Reasons for Earthing Up:
- Frost Protection: By burying the tender leaves below the soil, earthing up prevents potential damage from late frosts.
- Increased Yield: Creating space by mounding soil encourages the development of more tubers, resulting in a larger crop.
- Preventing Greening: Exposure to direct sunlight causes potato tubers to develop green skin, rendering them inedible. Earthing up ensures they remain covered, preventing this issue.
Additional Concepts Referenced:
- Planting Months/Seasons: The article mentions May and the first week of June as crucial periods for earthing up potatoes, indicating these months' significance for early growth stages.
- How to Plant: Although not explicitly detailed, the article hints at the initial planting process for potatoes, focusing more on the subsequent earthing up technique.
In summary, the practice of earthing up potatoes is essential for optimizing yield, protecting against frost, and ensuring the quality of the crop. Understanding the timing and method involved is crucial for successful cultivation.
