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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 10:47 pm Post subject: What to grow between potato drills |
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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.
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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In the furrow or between the potato plants on the drill?
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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Hi there
In the furrow
Thanks
Fionn.
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Blowin Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 930 Location: Drimoleague, Co Cork
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:01 am Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ A novice gardener on newly cultivated, stoney ground. |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:21 am Post subject: |
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Hi blowin,
Thank you for your help.
Fionn.
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:48 am Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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Sue Deacon Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 2029 Location: West Fermanagh
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 9:35 am Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ Be humble, for you are made of earth
Be noble, for you are made of stars |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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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
How many potatoes were you growing?
Must have been terrible.
Fionn.
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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Wow,
That's a big area.
It that on an allotment or in your field?
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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1/2 acre under the house. I till approx. 2000m2.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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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.
It must be a lot of work to look after it?
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tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:35 am Post subject: |
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It sure is. Losing crops is not part of the plan. 52 drills at 45m long.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
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