Spud growers, I have a question if you have a mo

[lucysmam]

DD and I picked up some spudlings (don't know what you call them ) on Saturday. I seem to recall either reading something or seeing something on TV that said you should plant them under the muck, and then when they start to sprout through the muck, cover them with another layer. Is this right or am I thinking of something else?

I don't want to plant them & then bugger them up so we've kept them to do on a boring afternoon this week.

Thanks for any advice

[Meglet]

Yes, you have to earth them up once the green shoots start coming though. IIRC if the light gets onto the growing spuds then it turns them green (and bad).

Last year I grew some spuds from left over ones in the cupboards, my then 3yo DS was in charge of earthing them up and he did a wonderful job, 'tis very easy to get toddlers to chuck earth into a pile .

[BornToFolk]

We did them in bags last year. DS really liked it "Look Mummy, they're poking through!"

You'll need to chit them before you plant them. See here

I love "spudlings" btw. I'm going to nick that...

[lucysmam]

oooh, fab, I have quite a tall pop up garden bin thingumy I was going to plant them in if I was right. We'll do them later on if the rain holds off now I have an idea of what to do with them

Thank-you

[lucysmam]

lol BornToFolk, I couldn't think of anything else to call them

Will check out your link now as I didn't see it before I posted my reply, thanks

[meltedmarsbars]

You don't need to chit them, thats a myth.

[Sillyness]

was wondering similar things!
so... just chuck one potato in large container (no grass, am container growing) and crop will form?

roughly how many potaoes grow from one potato? it's like magic!!!

[lucysmam]

meltedmardbars, I wish I'd seen your post before now, just thought I'd have a lurk, dd's been watching the spudlings intently every morning since we bought them! She thinks they're a bit boring to say the least

I'm doing them in containers too, we have 8 spudlings & the containers are about 2ft deep x 1.5ft wide. Will all 8 be ok in one, leaving the 2nd to plant something else in? Or should we split them up?

Thanks

[lucysmam]

bump in case anyone can answer my last question

[funtimewincies]

I'd put no more than 4 in each, depending on the size and variety of 'spudling' (love that word ). If they're early potatoes and you're after little ones, then 4 is OK at a push. If they're maincrop and you're after biggish spuds then I'd say no more that 2. If they're too squashed you'll get tiny potatoes.

Layer of compost at the bottom, spudlings spaced out on top, layer of compost on top and keep topping up the compost as the tops (the haulms) grow. Keep the haulms covered until they reach the top of the container and then it's safe to just let them grow as there will be a thick enough layer to keep the light away from the potatoes.