I need to stop reading about gardening. I find too many projects for me to do. I had decided not to grow potatoes this year as they take up too much room in the garden. The more I thought about it the more I remembered reading about a friend (screen name hopscotch) had planted his potatoes in hay last year. Now there is an idea. To find a flat and sunny spot on these 9 acres is not easy. Looked around and had some scrap lumber so decided to build like a raised bed 4X8'. I have a pile that is sort of a compost pile but mostly potting soil where I have dumped pots etc. in the fall. That should make a good base for the potatoes to grow into and then just cover them with hay.
The box is built and it is 8 1/2' by 5 1/2'. Why cut lumber if you don't have to plus bigger is better. The lumber I used is leftover scraps from when the house is built. Am on rain delay right now but this is what I have so far. Note I can build the sides higher if necessary but it will eventually be fenced to keep the deer out once I plant. I am sure they would eat the potatoes as soon as they hit the ground.
Newspaper is down
leaf layer done
To be continued but not today. Too tired.
That should give you lots of space for potatoes.
ReplyDeleteI can get 40 hills in there according to the square foot method of planting. I am trying a little bit of that this year just to see what happens. Will get the hay at DS's today so maybe get the potatoes planted tomorrow or Tuesday. Depends on when I get the cut.
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