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When it does rain!

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:10 am
by hilary
Hi,
Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are with regard to when it does rain after all the sun. Huge cracks appearing. I have tried to water when I can but have not had the energy to carry buckets of water to the potatoes so do I risk the main crop splitting ?
When is it wise to lift early.

Any thoughts?

Hilary

Re: When it does rain!

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 3:19 pm
by Motherwoman
I'm leaving mine put. On balance I'd rather peel around a split in a bigger potato than have a tiny one with no split! All looking a bit sad and droopy on the plot. At the start of the year I was smiling because I'm on the top slope of a free draining site and was not waterlogged, not so good now though... :(

MW

Re: When it does rain!

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 3:51 pm
by hilary
Thanks MW - guess I was just going through a 'what next' moment.

I think I will be more disappointed if it doesn't rain now since the water butts are getting very low.

H,,

Re: When it does rain!

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 6:27 pm
by Arnie
Hi

What you could do to help the rain get in to the roots of your plants is break the pan of the soil by hoeing :) by doing this when it does finally rain it will penetrate into the soil and not run off, you can do the same with potatoes by using a three pronged cultivator down the drills of potatoes with same effect.

Regards

Arnie :wink: