potatoes too deep

lormac

Just looking for an answer
My son planted potatoes in our garden (where else lol) but when I asked him how deep he planted them he said about one foot deep. No sign of any growth through the soil, did he plant them too deep and will they grow?
planted about 4-6 weeks ago with sprouted roots.

confused newbie gardeners mum

earthlysparky

It is a bit deep, but potatoes have been known to grow from such depths.

I'm a little more concerned about your "sprouted roots". If you chitted them, then the sprouted bits point upwards as they are not roots. From your post, it sounds like your son may have planted them upsidedown?

Optimisticpair

That is a bit deep, 4 - 6 inches of soil above the top of a spud is what I aim for but the sprouty bits (chits) should be upwards.

I would ask if he planted them right way up and how much soil is above them.

lormac

He said he put them in with "white bits" downwards if this is any help, but knowing him he just threw them in any old way:eek:

absfabs

"Any old way" would have been better than all upside down... Potatoes are quite tough, wouldn't be surprised if some still made it to the surface against the odds.
If you're pushed for growing space, it might be better to sow/plant something else. sorry.

Optimisticpair

If they are "a foot deep" he could take off the top 4 inches of soil leave it piled alongside the row and wait for the green leaves to appear. Then earth up as normal.

tim_n

I've dug out a raised bed which had potatoes in, they were at the bottom of the compost bin (I know it's bad practice, but you always miss one or two of the small ones) and I still get potatoes - they must be about 3ft down. I really, really wouldn't worry, they'll just take longer and you'll have more but smaller potatoes.