spuds and newspaper

[gardengnome]

Hi, I have read that you can cover potatoes with newspaper rather than earthing up.
But- is newsprint ok (thinking of chemicals that might be in the print)
-does the paper breakdown in the soil?
- I was thinking of layering newspaper with some compost.
Any comments would be welcome as my earlies are just starting to come through.
Thanks you, Gardengnome

[Johnboy]

Hi gardengnome,
Newspapers are now printed with vegetable based inks so there is no problems and the paper easily biodegrades.
What I am not so sure of is the use of newspaper to earth-up potatoes. I suspect that newspaper is used only to protect potatoes from late frosts and not to actually earth-up.
JB.

[WestHamRon]

I'm growing some of my spuds in old compost bags. In order to cut down on expense, Is it OK to earth-up using newspaper(scrunched into balls)and grass clippings? I understand earthing-up is to keep tubers in the dark and as some people use straw, I thought this would be an acceptable alternative.

[Compo]

I have used grass clippings, newspaper torn into strips, rabbit / guinea pig droppings and used bedding all mixed in with the soil in the mound when earthing up......

Compo

[Lurganspade]

.
MY ! You do make simple things complicated!

As Bugs Bunny said to The Honey Monster.

Cheers

[WestHamRon]

I have used grass clippings, newspaper torn into strips, rabbit / guinea pig droppings and used bedding all mixed in with the soil in the mound when earthing up......

Compo

Thanks for your reply, Compo. I feel encouraged.

[gardengnome]

Thank you everyone. Some great ideas to try!
Regards Gardengnome

[Mike Vogel]

As earthing up is meant to cut out light from the developing tubers, I'd suggest using thick wads of newspaper, which should do the trick. Cardboard packaging is another material that can be used. I intend to use straw on most of mine this year, as an experiment.

mike