VEGETABLES
Grow potatoes and thwart moles
P
otato growing success is
possible with welldrained, deep, sandy
loam containing plenty of
humus, paired with cool,
moist conditions.
Yet, even in seemingly ideal
growing conditions, potatoes
are not always problem free,
being susceptible to an
astonishing number of
setbacks. You can encounter
Potato tower necessities
early blight, late blight, mosaic
virus, potato scab or blackleg.
You might battle against
cutworms, wireworms, moles
or aphids.
But here's a solution. Consider
constructing a potato tower.
You will need 1 – 1,2m tall
weldmesh fencing with
sufficient gauge to retain its
form, and last for a few years;
wire cutters, some sort of
twisty tie, cable ties or binding
wire, straw or hay, pure
manure-free compost, a water
source and seed potatoes.
Use the wire cutters to cut out
a section of the fence to
create a cylinder about 90cm
in diameter. Use either twisty
ties, binding wire or cable ties
to tie the fence ends together.
Use straw to create a nest at
the bottom of the bin to both
help keep in the compost,
and to reduce water-loss due
to evaporation. If you do it
without the straw, use
weldmesh with smaller holes
to keep the compost from
spilling out.
The straw naturally supports
itself up the sides as you
spread it, leaving a large
central area for the compost.
Next, shovel in compost to a
depth of about 30cm.
Plant potatoes in early spring,
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after the danger of frost has
passed. Use disease-free
seed potatoes and cut each
potato so that two eyes are
on each piece, laying the
potatoes about every 10 –
12cm along the very outside
of the bin, right next to the
straw layer, with the eyes
pointed out.
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