Growing Potatoes in Hay or Straw: A Simple Way to Garden
If you're tired of looking deep trenches in heavy soil, you might like to try growing potatoes in hay or straw this year. It's a complete game-changer for anybody who wants a decent harvest without the particular back-breaking labor that usually comes with conventional gardening. I remember the particular first time We tried this; We were skeptical that will a potato could actually grow in a pile of dried grass, but honestly, the results speak for themselves.
The particular whole idea will be based on the "no-dig" philosophy. Instead of burying your own seed potatoes heavy in the dust, you essentially allow them sit on the top of ground plus cover them along with a thick coating of mulch. Since the plants grow, you just maintain increasing the hay or straw. It's clean, it's efficient, and when it is about time to harvest, a person aren't digging through mud—you're basically just rummaging through a pile of golden straw to get your own "treasures. "
Why make use of hay or straw anyhow?
You may be wondering why anyone might choose this more than just sticking all of them in the dust. For starters, the particular soil in several backyards is just plain bad. Maybe it's heavy clay-based that turns in to a brick in the summer, or maybe it's full of rocks. When you're growing potatoes in hay or straw , you aren't since limited by the quality of your ground soil.
Another huge plus is the particular harvest. If you've ever accidentally sliced an ideal potato in half with a shovel while attempting to dig it up, you know how frustrating that will be. With the straw method, there's simply no digging. You simply pull back the mulch and choose up the potatoes. They usually emerge much cleaner, too, without that dense layer of dust you have in order to scrub off in the sink.
Hay vs. Straw: What's the?
People often make use of these words interchangeably, but in the garden, they're fairly different. Straw is the hollowed out stalks left over after grain (like wheat or oats) has been harvested. It's usually seed-free and great intended for mulch because this doesn't break up too fast.
Hay , on the other hand, is dried lawn and often includes the seed mind. If you use cheap hay, you might find your self growing a beautiful crop of lawn right alongside your own potatoes. However, hay is usually more nutrient-dense than straw. In the event that you can get hold of "clean" hay (like alfalfa) that doesn't have a lot of weeds, it can actually feed your plants better than straw will. You need to be prepared for a few extra weeds if you go the hay route.
Getting began with your "lazy" potato patch
You don't need a lot associated with gear to obtain moving. First, pick a spot that gets plenty associated with sun. Potatoes are sun-lovers, so don't attempt to tuck them away in a shady corner.
You may start by setting up some cardboard within the grass if you want to kill off the weeds first, but it isn't strictly required. If your soil is really compacted, you might like to loosen the very top inch with a rake, but don't feel like you need in order to go crazy along with a tiller.
Preparing your seedling potatoes
Don't just grab a bag of Russets from the grocery store. The majority of those are treated with chemical substances to keep them from sprouting. Instead, buy "seed potatoes" from a backyard center or on the web. A few days before you decide to plan on growing potatoes in hay or straw , cut the bigger potatoes into chunks. Make sure each item has at least two "eyes" (those little bumps where the sprouts come out). Let them sit on the countertop for a day or two therefore the cut part can callus more than. This prevents all of them from rotting as soon as they hit the particular damp ground.
The planting process
Once your own seed potatoes are prepared, lay them from the ground about 12 inches aside. Many people like to sprinkle a bit of compost or organic fertilizer right on best of them in order to give them a head start.
Now comes the fun component. Grab your bale of hay or straw and begin shaking it out within the potatoes. A person want a solid layer—usually about 6 to 8 inches deep. It'll look like the giant mess in first, but don't worry about it. The sprouts are usually surprisingly strong plus will find their particular way with the straw to reach the particular sunlight.
Preserving the pile
As the natural leafy tops start poking through the particular straw, you'll need to "hill" them. Instead of pulling dirt up close to the stems, you just add more straw. Keep carrying this out until the heap is about a foot or a foot along with a half heavy.
The particular most important point to keep in mind is that potatoes should remain covered. If the particular sun hits the actual potato tuber while it's growing, it'll turn natural. Green potatoes aren't just bitter; they could actually make a person sick if a person eat enough of them. So, if you see a potato peeking out, toss another handful associated with straw on it.
Watering and feeding
One thing to keep in thoughts is that straw doesn't hold humidity that can compare with soil will. It's great in insulating, but it can dry up quick if the weather gets hot. You'll want to check underneath the mulch every couple of days. If the ground feels dry to the touch, give it a good soak.
Since straw doesn't have a lots of nutrition on its personal, your potatoes might appreciate a little bit of liquid fertilizer every couple of days. A fish emulsion or a compost tea works wonders. Just pour it right over the straw so itaks down to the roots.
Dealing with uninvited guests
Nothing is perfect, right? Growing potatoes in hay or straw may sometimes attract specific critters. Slugs love the damp, great environment under the straw. If you notice holes in your leaves, you might have a slug problem. A little little bit of crushed eggshells or some natural slug bait may usually handle that will.
Mice and voles also believe a straw stack is the ideal place to build a nest—and they adore snacking on potatoes. If you possess lots of rodents in your neighborhood, you may want to maintain an eye out. Usually, though, when you have a neighborhood cat or a decent doggy, they'll keep the particular mice away.
The big uncover: Harvesting
This is easily the greatest part of the entire process. You'll know the potatoes are ready when the green plants start to turn yellow and die back. This usually happens in late summer or early fall.
Rather than snagging a pitchfork and hoping for the best, you just achieve into the straw. It's such as an Easter egg cell hunt. You'll find the potatoes seated right there on top of the garden soil or slightly nestled in to the top layer. They're usually even, clean, and prepared to go.
If you want "new potatoes" (those tiny, thin-skinned ones that are amazing with butter), a person can actually "rob" the rose early. Simply reach under the straw, grab the few small types, and leave the rest of the plant to keep growing. The herb won't even mind.
Conclusions upon the method
Is growing potatoes in hay or straw the most efficient way to get a massive produce? Maybe not in comparison to a perfectly maintained commercial farm. However for a home gardener who would like to save their particular back and have a little fun, it's hard to defeat.
It's a low-stress way to garden. If you've got a spare corner in the yard and a couple of bales of straw, check it out. Even if a person only get a several baskets of potatoes, the sheer simplicity of the collect makes it worth it. Plus, from the end associated with the season, you're left with a bunch of decomposed straw which has basically turned straight into amazing compost intended for your garden next year. It's a win-win all around.