Post #2664973

2026-04-15 15:59 UTC

@econetwork@mas.to @scogings@mastodon.world Potatoes like rich, fertile soil, so dig in plenty of organic matter, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure, before planting. If possible, do this the previous autumn or winter. Given that yours are already in the ground, you can apply a 10cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure around them, if you have it. The main thing I've found that improves the harvest is *regular* watering. Potatoes like it wet, but irregular wet-then-dry-then-wet (which we often get here in the UK) makes the potatoes lumpy. Too dry conditions can also cause "common scab" which makes rough patches on the potatoes. It's not a big problem because they're still edible, but they don't look good.

Replies (2)

@scogings@mastodon.world 2026-04-15 16:10

@RhinosWorryMe@climatejustice.social @econetwork@mas.to I'm still undecided about the soil fertility and watering. Generally, plants that develop underground storage organs do best in sandy soil, otherwise why build a storage organ, but I've also read spuds need feeding. I've been told by an agronomist that sweet potatoes do best in sandy soil and should be droughted for 1-2 months before harvest. All I can add is that my soil is rich and my summer rainfall is usually good and the spuds do well, which supports your advice.

Open ##2664974
@econetwork@mas.to 2026-04-15 17:25

@RhinosWorryMe@climatejustice.social @scogings@mastodon.world Thank you so much for the advice We are lucky that here in Uganda it is currently the rainy season, so water is not a big problem now. But We still wanted to ask: during the dry season, if we don’t have enough water, does that mean we might lose our potatoes? Or are there other methods we can use, like mulching, to help keep moisture in the soil?

Open ##2664977