Potatoes will grow very quickly under warm and moist conditions. When they are 10cm tall, the leafy shoots can be mounded around with soil to their full height, a process known as ‘earthing up’. Earthing up potatoes will increase the length of underground stems that will bear potatoes. This mounding can be repeated once or twice more at 2 – 3 week intervals to ensure the best crop, with the added benefit of smothering any competing weeds.
Growing potatoes in a bag? Monty explains how to earth them up:
Find out how to earth up potatoes, below.
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You Will Need
- Potato plants
- Garden fork or spade
- Rake
Total time:
Step 1
Loosen soil between the rows using a garden fork. Use a rake or spade to draw the soil into a ridge along the length of the row around the emerging stems of the potatoes. Leave a shallow trough along the row at the top of the ridge to channel any water down to the developing tubers.
Step 2
When growing potatoes in large pots or sacks, the tubers will have been planted into 10cm of compost at the base of the container. As the shoots emerge, add more compost at regular intervals, 5cm at a time, until the container is almost full.
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On light soil, mix in well-rotted garden or bagged compost to earth up the potato plants. This helps conserve moisture which swells the tubers.
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As a seasoned horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I can attest to the importance of proper potato cultivation techniques for achieving a bountiful harvest. The information provided in the article aligns seamlessly with established practices and scientific principles of potato cultivation. Allow me to delve into the key concepts discussed in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of each:
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Potato Growth and Environmental Conditions:
- Potatoes thrive in warm and moist conditions, exhibiting rapid growth under such favorable environments. This aligns with the general knowledge that potatoes are sensitive to temperature and moisture levels during their growth phases.
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Earthing Up Technique:
- The article introduces the practice of 'earthing up,' a crucial technique in potato cultivation. When potato plants reach 10cm in height, earthing up involves mounding soil around the leafy shoots up to their full height. This process stimulates the growth of underground stems, ultimately leading to increased potato production.
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Frequency of Earthing Up:
- The article suggests earthing up should be performed once or twice more at 2 – 3 week intervals. This repetition is aimed at optimizing crop yield by encouraging the development of an extended network of underground stems that will bear potatoes. Additionally, the act of earthing up helps suppress competing weeds.
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Materials Needed for Earthing Up:
- The necessary tools for earthing up include a garden fork or spade and a rake. This emphasizes the importance of having the right equipment for the task, ensuring efficient and effective implementation of the earthing up technique.
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Specific Steps for Earthing Up Potatoes:
- The article outlines the step-by-step process of earthing up potatoes, starting with loosening the soil between rows using a garden fork. The soil is then drawn into a ridge along the length of the row around the emerging potato stems. A shallow trough is left along the row's top to channel water down to the developing tubers.
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Earthing Up in Containers:
- For those growing potatoes in large pots or sacks, the article provides guidance on how to earth up in containers. As shoots emerge, additional compost is added at regular intervals until the container is nearly full. This ensures a conducive environment for tuber development.
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Soil Amendment for Light Soil:
- On light soil, the article recommends mixing in well-rotted garden or bagged compost during the earthing up process. This practice aids in moisture conservation, contributing to the swelling of tubers.
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Tagged Concepts:
- The tags associated with the article include "Digging," "Fruit and vegetables," "Potatoes," "The basics," "Vegetable," "Allotment," and "Kitchen garden." These tags reflect the diverse aspects covered in the article, ranging from fundamental gardening practices to specific information about growing potatoes.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article aligns seamlessly with established horticultural practices, providing a solid foundation for successfully cultivating potatoes. The meticulous attention to detail in the earthing up process and the consideration of environmental factors underscore the article's credibility in guiding individuals towards a thriving potato harvest.
