Non mounding spud garden

[Medbury Gardens]

This is how i grow my potatos without having to mound up through the growing season, the left photo is the total area that is used on a four year rotation basis,

the closest part( left photo) is last years residual crop (green, and damaged) that were dug under and covered with horse manure and sawdust, this area will give us our early potatoes from about a months time till the main crop is ready.This area is then sewn down in prairie grass.

Second area is this years main crop (will cover this further down)

Third " is the growing area for the following season, i dig in compost while removing any left over potatoes from two years ago.

Last area in front of the tunnelhouse is at the moment in prairie grass.

Main Crop In the second from left photo i had dug in a third layer of compost, rows planted at 30cm apart and then covered with a final layer of horse manure, to stop weeds coming through.I then lay broom on top(third photo) to stop black birds from digging holes in that layer which greens the crop below.Right photo shows as of today the potatos growing up through this broom, no more work is now required till harvest.

I find this system of growing gives me very good yields,best plant last season 8 kg -20 pounds and can supply my family of five with about 95 % of our years potatoes off a small area

Richard