What Happens if You SURFACE LAY Potatoes Instead of BURY?

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Surface Lay Potatoes Instead of Burying Them

Materials Needed:

• Potatoes
• Blood and Bone fertilizer
• Mulch
• Watering can or hose

Step 1: Prepare the Bed

1. Fertilize the Soil: Start by fertilizing the soil with Blood and Bone fertilizer. Rake the fertilizer into the top of the soil to blend it in properly.

2. Water the Bed: Give the bed a good watering to help mix in the fertilizer with the soil.

Step 2: Lay the Potatoes

1. Place Potatoes on Top of Soil: Lay the potatoes evenly spaced on top of the soil, about 30 cm apart. You can plant different varieties of potatoes.

Step 3: Apply Mulch

1. Cover with Mulch: Put a layer of mulch about 3 to 4 inches thick on top of the potatoes.

2. Monitor Growth: Keep an eye on the potatoes as they start growing through the mulch. Water occasionally if required.

Step 4: Backfill with Mulch

1. Around Stems: Once the potatoes start growing, backfill around the stems of the potato plants with more mulch. This helps prevent developing tubers from being exposed to sunlight.

2. Avoid Sunlight Exposure: Make sure to cover the developing potatoes with mulch to prevent them from turning green and becoming toxic.

Step 5: Water and Monitor

1. Watering: Water the bed as needed to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

2. Continue Monitoring: Watch the growth of the potatoes and remove any unwanted plants competing with them.

Step 6: Harvest

1. Around 3 Months: Around the 3-month mark, the potatoes should be ready for harvest.

2. Remove Mulch: Peel back the mulch and carefully harvest the potatoes, avoiding damage.

3. Inspect and Store: Check for any damaged or rotten potatoes. Store the harvested potatoes in a cool, dry place.

Additional Tips:

• Variety Selection: Choose different potato varieties for a diverse harvest.
• Sunlight Exposure: Avoid exposing developing potatoes to sunlight to prevent them from turning green.
• Mulching: Mulch helps in moisture retention and weed suppression.
• Regular Monitoring: Keep a close eye on the potatoes' growth and address any issues promptly.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow potatoes by surface laying them instead of burying them. Enjoy your fresh harvest and use the potatoes in delicious recipes like Christmas potato salad!