Earthing up potatoes with straw

[mew]

Ive earthed up my tatties today but have ran out of soil so the ones ive got growing in my tyres ive put straw on them instead so the tops are just poking through.

Will this be okay or do I need to use soil and if its okay do I need to put a bit of soil or grass clippings or something on top of the straw to keep out the light so as to stop the tubers potentially turning green?

Cheers
MEW

[Cornelian]

I've grown potatoes in cages with just straw and with straw and compost, and the potatoes have always performed best with compost added. The straw will be fine for the moment, but if you find yourself with some spare compost then toss that in as well.

[flower]

HDRA suggest a covering of grass clippings on top of the straw once all the leafy plant tops are showing to block out the light. The light makes tubers go green and inedible.

Tara xxx

[mew]

Thanks Cornelian and Tara for this info.

Ill probably get hold of a bag of compost then and put some on top of the straw and try and mix it in a little - dyou think this should do the trick - cant really afford to purchasing lots more soil at the moment and the straw was free.

Thanks again MEW

[flower]

it gets expensive doesn't it?
we've recently moved and were unable to bring our compost with us.

It's only when you have to buy the stuff you realise how much you get thru in spring

anyway, as a result, we've been experimenting.
We've done 1st earlies in a tyre of poop.
Desirees in a trench with compost and poop topped with straw,
and finally, red duke of yorks the HDRA way on top of cardboard and poop but protected by a layer of shredded paper (to minimise scab) and earthed up with straw.

surely one of them will work?

[Cornelian]

Ill probably get hold of a bag of compost then and put some on top of the straw and try and mix it in a little - dyou think this should do the trick

That's what I do in my cages and it seems to work well - use as much compost as you can, but the straw can certainly be used as a 'filler' or bulk. :)

[fenwoman]

Thanks Cornelian and Tara for this info.

Ill probably get hold of a bag of compost then and put some on top of the straw and try and mix it in a little - dyou think this should do the trick - cant really afford to purchasing lots more soil at the moment and the straw was free.

Thanks again MEW

buy some compost. The council tip usually sells it reasonable. Then make a big compost heap and start producing your own. I haven't bought compost for years.