Basic gardening tip for improving soil with potatoes

Digging into hard compacted soil is by no means an enjoyable task.  I have found this to be the case in my current garden, but a simple conversation with my daughter-in-law lead me to an old but effective way to break up the soil, plant potatoes, they are not just for eating.

As they grow the potatoes push down into the soil breaking it up as they go.  They establish very quickly and create small green bushes that don't look unsightly in the garden.  When they start to die back dig the old foliage back into the soil and leave the potatoes to rot, this process creates compost to further enrich the soil.

My husband Gary diligently plants potatoes all year through, and as we live in a sub tropical area they grow really well, working to constantly improve our garden.  I wouldn't be without potatoes in the garden.

Tip 3:

A bag of potatoes, placed in a dark area for about 2 weeks or until they start to sprout.

Plant to any depth, the deeper the better, throughout your garden beds.

Allow to mature, then dig back into the soil.

Repeat the process as often as you like, the more times the better the soil becomes.


Happy gardening

Bronwyn