If you love potatoes but dislike the digging part of growing them, there’s an easy and effective alternative: growing them in straw. This no-dig method simplifies planting and harvesting, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. It not only eliminates much of the digging, but it also helps keep your plants healthy, improves soil fertility, and even suppresses weeds.
Benefits of Growing Potatoes in Straw
- Simplified planting and harvesting: The straw acts as a mulch that reduces the need for digging, making the planting process easy and harvesting a breeze.
- Weed suppression: The straw layer blocks sunlight, preventing weeds from growing.
- Soil cooling: Straw helps keep the soil cooler during hot weather.
- Soil improvement: As the straw breaks down, it adds organic matter to the soil, enriching its structure and fertility.
Preparing Your Soil
While you won’t be doing much digging, you still need to prepare the soil. Start by removing any weeds, and if your soil is poor, consider adding some well-rotted compost or organic matter. Break up any large clumps to create an even surface, and level it out with a rake.
Potatoes are nutrient-hungry plants, so it’s beneficial to scatter some chicken manure pellets or an organic fertilizer over the soil before planting. This will provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy crop.
Chitting Your Seed Potatoes
To give your potatoes a head start, “chit” (or sprout) them before planting. Purchase certified seed potatoes, which are free from diseases. After a cold winter, sprouting your potatoes indoors for 4–6 weeks in a cool, frost-free location can improve growth. Place them with the “eyes” (small dimples on the surface) facing upward. Once they’ve sprouted, they’re ready to plant.
You can plant whole seed potatoes or cut them into pieces, ensuring each section has at least one eye. Let the cuts heal for a few days to prevent rotting before planting.
Planting Potatoes in Straw
Planting potatoes in straw is straightforward. Place the seed potatoes about 18 inches apart (for maincrop varieties) or slightly closer for early varieties. Make a small indentation in the soil to hold the potato in place.
Next, cover the potatoes with straw, creating a layer about 2–3 inches deep. To prevent the straw from blowing away, use sticks, canes, or a temporary mesh to keep it in place. Water the straw to help it settle.
Sourcing Straw
Straw can often be found through local suppliers or online marketplaces like Craigslist or Gumtree. Be sure to use organic straw or one that hasn’t been treated with herbicides, as these chemicals can harm your plants. Hay can also be used as an alternative if it’s available.
Care During the Growing Season
Once the potatoes are covered with straw, they need very little attention. Check the moisture level by pulling back the straw occasionally, and water if it’s dry. It’s important to keep the straw moist to help regulate soil temperature and moisture levels.
As the plants grow, add an extra layer of straw once the foliage reaches around 6 inches tall. This will keep the potatoes well covered and prevent them from being exposed to light.
Harvesting Potatoes in Straw
Harvesting potatoes grown in straw is easy and can start when the plants begin to flower. You can pull up the smaller “new” potatoes at this point. For the rest, wait until the foliage starts to die back, signaling that the crop is ready for full harvest.
To harvest, gently pull the plants by the base of the stems. If they resist, use a fork to loosen the soil and lift them out. After harvesting, the remaining straw will begin breaking down, improving the soil. You can leave it in place, compost it, or reuse it as mulch elsewhere in the garden.
Conclusion
Growing potatoes in straw is an efficient, low-maintenance method that simplifies planting, weeding, and harvesting. The process helps improve soil health and ensures a healthy, productive crop. If you try this method, I’d love to hear about your results—share your experiences in the comments! Happy gardening!