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Soil coverage of growing potatoes

 
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Hey Permies!
I am growing potatoes for the first time and am using a grow bag.
My potatoes seem to have sprouted fairly well, but are poorly synchronized.
I have several plants that are 1-2 inches high and a couple others that are above 6 inches and are in definite need of additional soil coverage.
Because it's a grow bag (on the smaller side at 15 gal capacity), I am concerned about covering up the shorter plants, since it will be tough to do right by the biggies and not bury the smaller plants.
Should I be worried about this, or just let the faster growing ones drive the soil addition and not worry about completely covering the smaller plants?
Thanks!
Russ
 
pollinator
Posts: 391
Location: 2300' elev., southern oregon
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Howdy,
I have never used grow bags. My experience with potatoes in my garden has been to always cover with mulch instead of soil as my garden soil is heavy with clay silt and always needs more organic fill material. I have potatoes that seed themselves, come back every year, even though I do try and remove all potatoes. So, like now I have potatoes sprouting near the top of soil and  I just keep mulching with leaves, hay, grass clippings, etc and potatoes do fine.
 
master pollinator
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Similar advice here...I just go for mulch and lots of it. Potatoes love wood chips. Pile it on deep.
 
master pollinator
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Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b
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Personally, I wouldn't worry about covering up the smaller potato shoots. They will punch through just fine.

Potatoes are tough. Because we plant unusual varieties, we use old spuds from the previous year as seed. And because our storage space is currently suboptimal, they develop shoots that are 2' long. No problem -- we plant the tuber and chop off the excess shoots at soil level. They adapt and grow just fine. If we don't chop off the excess shoots, it seems they waste energy and struggle trying to maintain them.

 
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Location: USDA Zone 8a
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Since you chose to use grow bags why nor finish these to see that happens!
 
I agree. Here's the link: https://woodheat.net
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