Trying raised bed for Fingerlings, Yukon gold, and more

Black Krim · March 20, 2020

Given the rather warm winter , I couldnt hold out any longer. Teens added 6 inches of compist, old old compost, to what was a tomato bed last year. Added sides using plywood scraps. While not the best option, used any potato that would sprout enough to show viability.

(The good seed potato will not arrive for several more weeks..... and goes in a clean bed.)

Set the potatoes about 2inches deep. Covered with black plastic, in full sun. Removed plastic on rainy days and then reset the black plastic.

Surprizingly, soil still feels cold.

Trying this as an experiment. Planning to "hill" with shavings. Undecided how to fertilize given the straight compost.

Black Krim · April 2, 2020

Bed is covered with black plastic since planting to rsise temp of soil. And removed when it rains, if plot needs some water.

Forgot to recover with blk plastic and was rewarded with hens digging for worms and unearthed a couple spuds. Wow. Web of 3/4inch white roots very visible, abd these are the last in.

Tucked them back in, and replaced the blk plastic.

Seed Potatoes have been shipped !!

NathanP · April 4, 2020

You probably should not add fertilizer at all if you have good compost already. Potatoes that are overfertilized have super large plants with low yields.

Black Krim · April 13, 2020

Ahhhh, they are like TOMATOES !!!

Removed black plastic, and covered with fleece. Its rainibg a bit every couple days. With a cold night, near or under 32 once a week.

Hens stearing clear of the fleece..... so funny as the blk plastic didnt stop them !!

Maine Potato Lady shipment due soon.

March 20, 2020	#1
Black Krim Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: New England Posts: 661	Trying raised bed for Fingerlings, Yukon gold, and more Given the rather warm winter , I couldnt hold out any longer. Teens added 6 inches of compist, old old compost, to what was a tomato bed last year. Added sides using plywood scraps. While not the best option, used any potato that would sprout enough to show viability. (The good seed potato will not arrive for several more weeks..... and goes in a clean bed.) Set the potatoes about 2inches deep. Covered with black plastic, in full sun. Removed plastic on rainy days and then reset the black plastic. Surprizingly, soil still feels cold. Trying this as an experiment. Planning to "hill" with shavings. Undecided how to fertilize given the straight compost.

April 2, 2020	#2
Black Krim Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: New England Posts: 661	Bed is covered with black plastic since planting to rsise temp of soil. And removed when it rains, if plot needs some water. Forgot to recover with blk plastic and was rewarded with hens digging for worms and unearthed a couple spuds. Wow. Web of 3/4inch white roots very visible, abd these are the last in. Tucked them back in, and replaced the blk plastic. Seed Potatoes have been shipped !!

April 4, 2020	#3
NathanP Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: RI Posts: 183	You probably should not add fertilizer at all if you have good compost already. Potatoes that are overfertilized have super large plants with low yields.

April 13, 2020	#4
Black Krim Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: New England Posts: 661	Ahhhh, they are like TOMATOES !!! Removed black plastic, and covered with fleece. Its rainibg a bit every couple days. With a cold night, near or under 32 once a week. Hens stearing clear of the fleece..... so funny as the blk plastic didnt stop them !! Maine Potato Lady shipment due soon.