On 28 Jan, 17:18, PB wrote:
covehithe wrote:
My mother has just won a large quantity of Scots. seed potatoes in a
local competition! She wants to start a veg patch and has a 5m x 1.5 m
area ( this is a lawn border which includes a 50cm strip of lawn).
Her neighbour has told her to plant the potatoes straight in the
ground including in the grass strip without
any digging. The idea is to clear the ground so she can, later this
year, set up a raised bed.
Is this likely to work?? Any other suggestions appreciated.

Potatoes don't clear the ground, you have to dig to plant them, dig to
hill them up and dig the final crop. Its the three diggings that clear
the ground.

Indeed. It's a very strange question though. It feels that there's a
few different ideas and outcomes in there!

First, the idea to clear the ground is interesting. I suspect this is
something to do with perhaps 'fertilising' the soil with say green
manure, and the idea that potatoes could just be the thing because we
do say that potatoes are good as a first crop to 'clear' the ground.
Potatoes will work if the soil has been manured, if the worms are
doing their stuff, if the spuds are being hilled properly and that
you're lucky with no diseases and pests. Second it's the idea of
having a raised bed afterwards. Why grow potatoes to put a raised bed
afterwards? If there's no digging it will not increase the soil
drainage. Could there be an idea of 'fertilising' again there? Third
the idea of growing spud without digging is a valid one. Yes, you can
'place' your spuds straight on the ground but you need organic manure
and you need serious constistant mulching. The no dig system requires
preparation, not just putting spud on a lawn, unfortunately. And
lastly, why use beautiful potatoes seeds to achieve something else?
Aren't your mother interested in growing her first crop the best way
and then reaping the benefits of a fantastic soil and tasty spuds?