Potato Question

[Arnie]

Hi everyone

At the end of the potato growing season, farmers spray their crop with something to kill the haulms and weeds prior to lifting, what is it and can it be bought


Regards

Kevin

[alan refail]

Don't even think it, Kevin

Sulphuric acid

[Shallot Man]

Kevin. Was told by retired fire officer that acid was used.

[Johnboy]

Hi Alan,
I suspect that Sulphuric Acid is no longer lawful and there is a preparation used but since I am now retired from that game I regret that I do not know the name. Will make some enquiries.
JB.

[Cider Boys]

We use DIQUAT, it seems to do a good job

Barney

[freddy]

Hi. Just out of interest, why would one want to kill the haulms ?

[Primrose]

Yes, I was wondering that too but perhaps it's to destroy any blight spores that might be lurking around. I'm assuming that if the haulms are still healthy they can simply be put on the compost heap to rot down in the normal way.
I never destroy my tomato vines at the end of the season (and they belong to the tomato family) unless of course they've been unfortunate enough to attract blight. I chop them up and put them on the compost heap.

[oldherbaceous]

It's just to make it easier for harvesting.

[alan refail]

Another example of the many differences between Kitchen Gardeners and commercial growers.

[Cider Boys]

As Oldherbacious rightly says, the haulm makes lifting difficult as it tangles and blocks in the machinery. If you can wait long enough the haulm will obviously die down but until then it does posses a problem when lifting.
We have several potato lifters, all of which are nearly as old as me. This one nearly takes longer to set up than to harvest.




This one is my favourite but someone has to pick up the potatoes after lifting



Barney

[glallotments]

But if yo harvest using a spade and your hands no problem!