Posted by samn40 on February 20, 2013 at 16:49:08 from (81.129.42.251):
Well the rain eventually stopped (after giving us one allnighter) last Wednesday around lunchtime. We have had a few frosty nights this week but nothing too severe, also we have had some heat and more importantly, plenty of drying. So today I decided to take some time off from hedge-cutting and plant some potatoes. I usually plant about 100 seed potatoes (small potatoes kept from last years crop to replant or bought from merchant are called seed potatoes) around the last week of February or when ground conditions allow. This is very early for our part, but my soil is quite sandy and with this small amount I can cover the young shoots if there is a risk of frost. We usually have potatoes for the last week of June and this plot keeps us going until the second earlies are ready. Pic 1..Using my 80 inch Rotavator I rotavated this strip that had turnips in last year. The ground is too wet for a second run, also the wheels of the MF590 would compact it. I then reversed up with my little MF135 and Fergie drill plough and made one run to raise 2 drills and 3 hollows. The potatoes were set by hand at 10 inch spacings. Pic 2..You can see the young buds on the potatoes. These have been spread out in a frost proof and bright house to bring on the budding. Pic 3..The potatoes were then covered with rotted farm yard manure. One wheel barrow per drill (about 25 feet) Pic4..The secret with this early planting over here in Northern Ireland is to keep the tractor off the soil as much as possible to reduce compaction. So I split the drills with the shovel to cover the spuds. This is easier than it looks as the soil is well broken up. Pic5..I have 3 nice drills with 97 potatoes planted, note I kept the hollow left by the rotavator cleaned out to let any heavy rain drain away from the plants. Hopefully I am not too early. Sam
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