Back in April (about 16 weeks ago), inspired by Charles Dowding’s experiments on his ‘no dig’ farm, I planted up three Charlotte potatoes straight on top of fresh grass as a ‘no dig’ growing experiment in our community front garden. I initially covered them with 6 inches of compost and then earthed them up just once after about 7 weeks.
Today, neighbour Julia and her daughter helped me dig up the crop to see how successful my trial had been. Although the potatoes had flowered a good few weeks ago, I left them to continue to grow as I was worried that the rain would have held them back a bit.
I needn’t have worried. Some of these are whoppers, not very ‘new potato’ in size, but I’m mightily impressed.
From the original potato trio, we harvested a very respectable 15lbs worth.
So there you have it. It works! And I’m never gonna dig again. (‘guilty trees I’ve got no sedum’-a Cantona-esque rendition for all those George Michael fans out there!)
Wasn’t brave enough to try that this year but should have done, as most early spuds rotted in the ground . I do dig a lot less and mulch more these days. Well done the spuds are amazing, great success.
So funny, that George Michael parody!!!! LOL
I have GOT to try this no dig option!!! Wowza!!!!!
May well try that next year. My own Charlotte potatoes haven’t done so well this year. Like yours there were some huge ones but the yield was significantly lower than last year. When I was digging them up you could see it had been just too wet as the roots were rotting. Oh well there’s always next year.
Your George Michael lyrics did make me smile. For years I used to think Madonna was singing ‘eyes like potatoes’ rather than ‘eyes like the desert’ in La Isla Bonita.
Lots of potato crops on our allotment site have rotted due to all the rain combined with heavy clay soil. We grew ours in bags and they were fine and I can see that this would also be a good solution to the problem. They look fab.
Good experiment great result. Watch this space next year.
ha, throw out that rule book!
Know what you mean about some not being new potato size. Some of mine have been as big as baking potatoes. Guess its all the rain.
[…] Exciting update on how many potatoes were harvested! Rate this:Share this:StumbleUponFacebookLinkedInTwitterLike this:Like4 bloggers like this. […]
Hi Lynne,, WW, SouthBG -a neighbour just had a few spare chitted spuds, so it was a spur of the moment decision to have a go at ‘no dig’ potatoes. I too have heavy clay, so I think I was lucky that my potatoes weren’t sitting in this heavy soil , but still benefitted from the rain.
Sue-Look forward to seeing your experiment next year!
Jono-yes, very excited and feeling very experimental now! Charles Dowding did also grow carrots on top of grass in a six inch raised bed. Might give that a go next year! I’m amazed at how big they’ve grown and good to understand how the rain affects their size.
SHBG-Couldn’t get that song (or silly lyric) out of my head all day!
[…] Comments « I’m never gonna dig again […]
Very nice! Looks like it works well for potatoes!
Hi WMG, Yes, Really worth having a go. I’ve also dug up some magnificent coloured heritage potatoes-worked well for them too. More experiments next year I think….
[…] for our veg growing project this year and if I can find a spare patch of grass, I’ll continue my ‘no dig’ experiments […]
Here we go allotment here I come. No dig method being used widespread this year
Interesting to see how your spuds develop in such a different growing year this year from the last. Do let me know how you get on!
[…] last year, I think lettuces gave me the best return for the space and time they occupied. I loved experimenting with ‘no dig’ potatoes and rainbow carrots in pots-they were a true delight to unearth-but it was the lettuces that kept […]
[…] inspired after attending the course last year and have hugely enjoyed my own knock on experiments. I had huge success with ‘No Dig’ potatoes last year and find that I pile on the compost rather than dig in wherever possible these days. Great for my […]
Hi – I really enjoyed your video. I may try the next summer myself. I just started watching Charles Dowding’s videos on no dig gardening. I am wondering if you are anyone you know has tried to grow sweet potatoes with this method. If so i would like to know their results or some suggestions from you.
[…] For an approach like this and to grow potatoes at the same time, see Naomi Schillinger’s blog of summer 2012. […]
[…] an approach like this and to grow potatoes at the same time, see Naomi Schillinger’s blog of summer 2012. Vegetables are hungry plants and require a soil that is well structured and full of life. First […]