What to grow between potato drills

FionnG

Hi there.
I will be growing potatoes and I was wondering,
Is there anything I can grow in between the potato drills?
Thank you,
Fionn.

tagwex · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 10:50 pm Post subject:

In the furrow or between the potato plants on the drill?

FionnG · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 11:38 pm Post subject:

Hi there
In the furrow
Thanks
Fionn.

Blowin · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:01 am Post subject:

FionnG - One thing that spuds are renowned for is their ability to 'clean' soil, i.e. they use up so much of the available water that only the most persistent weeds can get a foothold. For that reason, many gardeners cultivating a new patch of ground would automatically grow spuds on it first to nuke the resident weed population.

In the early days after planting you may get away with a few lettuces, but I imagine, once they poke through the surface, you may not have much luck. I don't know whether copious watering would help.

FionnG · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:21 am Post subject:

Hi blowin,
Thank you for your help.
Fionn.

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:48 am Post subject:

As Blowin says. They are a thirsty and a nutrient draining plant on the soil, plus when they reach even half of their full size they will crowd out and over shadow anything else. Your best bet is something quick growing and in between your main crop only. Have all non potato plants picked before July as the blight spraying will start then.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 9:35 am Post subject:

Lettuce or baby spinach are your best bet. They will appreciate a little shade too and as Tagwex says harvest them all before you spray - that is IF you spray.

FionnG · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:32 pm Post subject:

Hi there and thanks for the reply.
When you say spray do you mean for blight?
If so I won't do that as the potatoes I have are sarpo Mira.
Thanks again,
Fionn.

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:50 pm Post subject:

I'd still spray them for blight. Nothing worse than losing a whole crop. I lost approx. 4 tonne of a crop maybe less than two months from harvesting two years ago all for being 4 days too late on my regular spraying cycle. Heartbreaking after 5 or 6 months of minding them. I was just too busy at work to do it when I should have and it was a 3 hour plus job after doing a days work and not being home until 7 or so, I thought I would chance it until the weekend. Never again.

FionnG · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:02 pm Post subject:

Ok I will spray them.
I can make up the drills for the main crop,
And plant some stuff between them like the lettuce.
And leave the space between the earlies furrows empty.

Wow 4 tonne Shocked

How many potatoes were you growing?
Must have been terrible.
Fionn.

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject:

Now you have right idea. the photo shows the blight about a week after the crop got infected. About 1/3 of an acre to answer your question.

FionnG · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:04 pm Post subject:

Wow,
That's a big area.
It that on an allotment or in your field?

tagwex · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:08 pm Post subject:

1/2 acre under the house. I till approx. 2000m2.

FionnG · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:45 pm Post subject:

That's a big area.
I have 2 acres just infront of my house,
And 30 acres land around it,
But i think I will stick to the polly tunnel and the potato bed. Very Happy

It must be a lot of work to look after it?

tagwex · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:35 am Post subject:

It sure is. Losing crops is not part of the plan. 52 drills at 45m long.