using surface straw is a really, really good idea; we have nasty soil in my city; clay very close to the surface. I never seem to make/buy/add enough compost for the taters spot and the larger varieties we grow get choked for space. Those were some RED red potatoes!!
It's a good way to quickly build up organic matter. But make sure you use straw and not hay- straw has hollow air pockets which allow for better growth, whereas hay tends to compact and fester.
That's a lot of potatoes!!! This felt like hanging out with you in your garden, really lovely. :D
using surface straw is a really, really good idea; we have nasty soil in my city; clay very close to the surface. I never seem to make/buy/add enough compost for the taters spot and the larger varieties we grow get choked for space. Those were some RED red potatoes!!
It's a good way to quickly build up organic matter. But make sure you use straw and not hay- straw has hollow air pockets which allow for better growth, whereas hay tends to compact and fester.