No Dig Potatoes!! See what happens when you plant potatoes on top of soil.Very surprising results!

[@joaopedromavungo2807]

Hi sir, I am Africa continent in Angola country it is a Portuguese one because we were colonised by Portuguese people and I am really satisfied of seeing your results of growing potatoes without covering the soil. Congratulations

[@RajiTripathi]

I was re-evaluating my plans to grow potatoes in the grow bags or totes. Your "no dig" video has helped me tremendously. This is the way to go... no digging and no weeding. Thank you for sharing.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Raji, glad you found the video and that it helped. I couldnt believe it myself untill I tried it. Make sure you add more mulch as the season progresses, if the potatoes are exposed to sunlight they will turn green and are not good to eat. I usually add another 2-3 inches (5-7cm) before the plants get too big and crouded making it more difficult to add the mulch. The other thing I have learned from last season is to watch for bee/wasp hives if you have the kind that make them on the ground. I had an area that I never when it and they made a nest there, I got stung a few times so this year I will be keeping an eye out and not piling in way too much mulch. Thanks for watching the video, best of luck this season.

[@maryjones1]

I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the video, and your soothing voice. It was already my plan to plant using this method, as I planted in tires last year, in the ground, and in containers. I like to test out all methods, and do have limited space. One more thing, you are rare, in that you actually reply to everyone whom has a question or comment. I appreciate that.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Mary, thank you so much for the positive comments. Very cool that you like trying out different methods...me too thats why this vid exists. Thanks again for your comments and for watching my video. Best of luck this year.

[@paulhealey2984]

Great video. Jeez that was an easy harvest.

[@EFTTappingwithHeatherAmbler]

That almost looked like a magic trick ✨ Beautiful potatoes! Thanks for a great video.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Heather it felt like magic when they were all just sitting there ready to be found. I did this again the following year with similar results. Only negative was some wasps made a nest in the hay I did not see and I ran my hands through it...ouch. Thanks for waching the video and your comment.

[@EFTTappingwithHeatherAmbler]

​@@EasyGardenHacks Yikes! That sounds awful. Glad you're okay!

[@jenniferarmer106]

Thanks for sharing your results. I’m doing the no dig straw growing this year. I can’t wait for the results

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Jennifer, excited for you, best of luck, let me know how it turns out, thanks for watching my video and your comment

[@veganvocalist4782]

Awwwwwwwww 😂😄🤗 your friend is beautiful and what a smile , dogs just have the best smiles don’t they 😊 fantastic yield , will be trying this method soon

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Yes he is great to have as a companion. Im impressed you made it to the end of the video! I sometimes put little things like that (usually bloopers) at the very end of some videos. Still have lots of potatoes left from this harvest, I will be putting them back to the garden soon! Thanks for checking out the video and the comments. Happy planting!

[@robinlewisart_1997]

Wow thats amazing . Great job ❤

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thank you! 😊

[@a17des]

Thanks for doing this video,I'm going to try this as I cannot dig due to pain, so fingers crossed for a bumper crop this year.Subscribed.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Des, glad you got to watch it, I was very suprised at how easy it was and how well it turned out...hoping the same for you. Thanks for the comment and sub!

[@johnnyd676]

I cant believe the yield, That was amazing. Ruth stout method but better, hehe. defiantly they way to go. Thank you for the video and thumbs up

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi jonny, I couldnt believe it either, glad I made the video, now its the only way I plant the potatoes, thanks for watching and your comments, best of luck

[@markv9890]

Well done!!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks Mark appreciate the positive comment!

[@LittlePieceOfHeaven.65]

That's Amazing ! I wonder if it would work with sweet potatoes also?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Karma. I am not sure about the sweet potatoes, I have never tried to grow them, I think my climate is not right for it. Sorry I cant really answer your question. If you can grow sweet potatoes where you are maybe do most of them the normal way and try a couple no dig style to see if it works, without risking your whole crop. Thanks for watching my video and your comment/?

[@HomesteadingWithAngie]

Awesome. I do straw bale gardening and have some old bales that went thru the winter. Gonna try this!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Angie, thats great to hear, I am doing the same again this year, last year was my first time and I think the results were my best in over 20 years. I have some left over bales sitting next to the garden ready to go!!

[@Godbepraise]

Awesome !!!!!, I have straws already now potatoes here we go.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Exciting, best of luck, let us know how it turns out. Thanks for watching my video

[@jennyhackenberg3790]

nice harvest.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Jenny, thanks for watching and the kind comment

[@Axelle0409]

What a fantastic video and very timely I found it - I will definitely be using this method over here in Australia. I was expecting a potato plant above the ground, so this was a real surprise when you pulled back the covering to expose ALL those potatoes... You'd not have known there was anything growing under there. All the other methods I've known about there's been a plant above the ground. Does this hay/compost covering stop the upward growth? This is really interesting & I'm keen to give this a go. So just lay the seed potato on the bare ground and cover huh? Suppose water daily and keep moist? How long does it take - and how do you know when they're ready to harvest -- just by pulling it back and taking a sneak peak I guess. Thankyou so much. Subscribed to your channel to learn more. Axelle in Aussieland :)

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Axelle in Aussieland, the potatoes will grow regular, use your usual watering patterns and harvest at the same time as normal. Why you didnt see the plants is they had dried up and were a similar colour to the straw. If you look close you can see the dried up plants. I might have waited too long risking pest damage or sun damage if I had not put a thick layer of mulch. The other tip I have since doing this for several years now is to watch out for wasps setting up a nest in the mulch. I was having fun grabbing the potatoes when I accidently grabbed a nest, a few stings later I had learned my lesson. Thanks for watching, ask away if you have any other questions. Best of luck.

[@Axelle0409]

@@EasyGardenHacks Awesome! Thankyou heaps. Really enjoying your channel and your down to earth (pardon the pun) advice, so appreciated. 🦋🌻🌱

[@thrive-like-a-viking]

I appreciate that you did a proper follow up video so we could see the results of the compost side vs non compost... I'm contemplating adding a thin layer of composted hoarse manure this year over the potatoes before covering in hay and after watching this I think I'll just do a half and half experiment or maybe 80/20... thank you!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Yes it was cool to see the difference and have the follow up . This year I ended up trying a new no dig / kinda dig technique with the classic no dig no compost one. I watch a few no dig growers online and one of them cracks open for lack of a better word the soil with a spade and pushes the potato half way to all the way in, then covers with hay / straw. So I tried that and also did the nothing but hay on top. I dont know for sure (I should have weighed each crop) but I feel like the difference was not very significant between the compost vs no compost? I you end up doing a couple of techniques please let me know how it turns out. The more info / knowledge the better for everyone.

[@carmelojosue5599]

I guess Im asking the wrong place but does someone know a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.

[@kannonhouston6754]

@Carmelo Josue instablaster :)

[@carmelojosue5599]

@Kannon Houston Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@carmelojosue5599]

@Kannon Houston It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass !

[@russellmacneil4058]

Hey ✌️from Cape Breton,Nova Scotia

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Russell from Cape Breton, I have super nice memories of your neck of the wood, I was lucky enough to spend 2 weeks hitchiking around and camping years ago. I met the nicest people and have the best memories from there. Thanks for watching and the shoutout

[@jackieo8693]

Nice!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks for watching jackieo!

[@HerEcolife]

The ones that I covered have a better yield but alot less eaten by little critters. I did the test last year too.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi, thanks for the info. Always good to hear what is happening for others out there.

[@kevinadams9468]

Super. I am finally able to do this this year. My only question: what was your yield??

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Kevin, I sadly did not weigh the yield, it seemed like at least the same if not better than I usually have done but there are many factors that can affect yield. If you are hesitant I would do half of your crop no dig and half dig, then you have first hand results yet minimize risk of overall low yields. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@deeevans1389]

I have lawn ATM do I have to turn it over first???

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Dee good question, I have not tried my potatoes on top of grass but I did put in a no dig garden last fall on top of grass / lawn and it is doing well. I put down a layer or two of carboard then a 3-4" layer of mulch on top of that. I do recall seeing a video where someone did grow no dig right on top of the grass, I dont remember issues. If you try it let us know how it turns out.

[@successunlimited2167]

THANKS

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Your welcome, thanks for watching and comment

[@PennsylvaniaBigfootProject]

We'll be planting our potatoes this week in raised beds with landscape fabric. Burning holes and planting. I am hopeful that this will work out. Not going to deal with pulling all the weeds anymore out of the garden.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi, I hear you on the weeds, I like your idea, I have not jumped into landscape fabric myself but see and hear great things about it. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and the comment

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

Great video bro.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks appreciate the positive comment. I like your youtube channel video on the birdhouse you created out of sticks and also enjoyed seeing "what is growing back this year" I look to be about 4 weeks behind you in terms of whats coming up and out now. Mind you there are still pockets of snow on the property!! Different zones for sure. Happy homesteading!!

[@user-rh1xj4ps9c]

Nice

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks for watching the video, give no dig a try?

[@laurajoneswilson5376]

So do the plant of the potatoes grow ? And what was your steps I am trying to figure out the best way to plant my potatoes because my yard floods so bad Did you cut your eyes and plant ?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Laura, yes the plants grow nice and green like normal. I do have a video showing me planting and the steps. Its really easy layout potatoes. I went with not cutting the eyes, just planted/placed whole potato then covered with the straw/hay/mulch. I topped up the hay when the plants were about 6inches to a foot tall. If your yard floods and water does not drain well then I would consider raising your beds a bit. I am not certain this method will work best for you if you have lots of moisture all season, I live in a dry climate with sandy well draining soil. Thanks for watching the video. Best of luck

[@pilbo2]

How do I store the potatos can I leave them on the ground until I am ready to eat? Especially in the winter?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi slugo, you can leave them on the ground till fall if it doesnt get too wet where you live. From what I have seen the longer you leave them in/on the ground the better the chance bugs or sun (which turns them green) gets to them. For storage, you want air circulation, dark and not freezing cold. You are trying to avoid moisture. Thanks for watching my video. Best of luck

[@corradopalmerini4076]

Wow Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Holy $hit! Awesome Dude! 😎. The Dude! Cheers🍻

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks man appreciate you checking out the video and posting a comment👍

[@herewardthewatchful1014]

Threw 75 lbs of potatoes in the ground using this "Ruth Stout" method. Going to be interesting to see the outcome. God willing I'll have a harvest greater or equal to yours ✌

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi, thats great! Yes "Ruth Stout" is the one who inspired me to try the no dig with straw mulch. I am pretty sure I did not plant near as much as you so I am hopeful you will end up with an abudant crop.

[@herewardthewatchful1014]

@@EasyGardenHacks - Thank you for your tutorial. You Sir are a gentleman, and a scholar ✌

[@victoriahoyte-gaynor4537]

How many tubers did you start with?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi, sorry for the delay in my response. I took a look back and it was around 28-30 whole tubers.

[@julienaturegrowerstv1958]

Wow. I hope I will get a good harvest from my no DIG potatoes. I used different materials though it's still potatoes. Let's grow together. Home grown potatoes are nice.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi yes hopefully you have a good harvest. Was this your first year no dig like me? I must admit it is hard to eat potatoe from the store when you have tasted fresh from the garden!! Best of luck. Let us know how it turned out. Phil

[@godsfan13]

Hi Dexter! 👋

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Dexter says hi, thanks for watching to the end!

[@dokTOURReden]

Seems you are just opening a nest, looking for an eggs on that hay! I'm impressed!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi yes I have to admit I was quite suprized with how it went. This last season I had a wasp nest in the hay and ran my hand into it. Ouch. This season I will make sure to watch and be careful during harvest. Thanks for watching the video

[@dokTOURReden]

@@EasyGardenHacks keep it up! And I keep on a loop for your new interesting vlogs XoXo

[@bannguyen5057]

We like to see how you planted your potatoes for this results. Thanks

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi I have a video showing the planting its called "No Dig potato planting, simple easy way to plant your potatoes, use mulch the proper way" thanks for watching

[@bashaberl1428]

I want to fo this but i goya ask, where are the potato greens??? Mine get huge,, i cant see yours. Does the jay kerp them down? And how many times did you pile on hay?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Basha, good questions. The Potatoe greens had dried up naturally, they were hard to see because of the hay being a similar color. There is lots of green earlier in the season. I also leave them in the ground extra long because I have very sandy dry soil and at hot climate in the summer, I find I can prolong the harvest by leaving them in the ground as late as possible. Before storing for the winter. They grow right through the hay no issue at all. I piled the hay on once at the beginning and 2 more times the rest of the summer. I would wait for the greens to get tall and then lay it around the plants not covering the plant itself. I leave 3-4 " of green each time I add the hay.

[@bashaberl1428]

@@EasyGardenHacks thanks so much,,, i just wondered if the greens were strong enough to push through the hay. Also do you have problems with your hay seeding? The hay we are using is 5 years old

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@bashaberl1428 Hi, yes the hay will seed a bit, but for me that is not a difficult "weed" to deal with. Some people will use straw which reduces the ammount of growth/seeding. Where I noticed the hay growing was a some edges. A good test will be to see what volunteers this spring. As your hay is 5 years old I would think there is less chance for it to seed, although some seeds can last years and years. Another great question. Thanks.

[@baganthekerannaghor8161]

Hi there. I tried this method.Most of the potato got eaten by the woodlice . Any solution?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi there, yes there are some options. Woodlice also known as potato beetles are trouble for the nightshade plants (potatoe, pepper, tomatoe, eggplant). Best thing is to try to prevent them. Rotate your crop, try to plant in a different location (adult potatoe bugs overwinter in the soil). Companion planting. Catnip, tansy, (careful they can spead) sage planted alongside or interspaced can help. Mulching heavy with straw not only protects the potatoes it creates a habitat for predators (ground beetles, ladybugs, green lacewings) You know what they will do. Hand pick ones you see, crush eggs if you see them . Choose restitant potatoe varities like Burbank Russet and early varieties so they finish before all the eggs hatch. Neem oil as needed. Great question, enough info that I think I will make a video on this one. Thank you thank you.

[@angelasheppard7197]

Cool

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi angela, yes I will admit I was shocked at how easy it was and how good the results were, only negative I have found was last season there was a wasp next in the hay and I ran my hand into it...ouch. Thanks for watching the video

[@franbdaughteroftheking]

Where were the plants? Or vines?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Francine, the plants had long ago dried up and died, you could not see them because they are a similar color and shape as the hay mulch. I leave the potatoes under the hay/mulch as long as reasonably possible to reduce how long I have to store them inside. Good question thanks!

[@lilyli2460]

Do you think we can use this method to grow sweet potatoes?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi lily, I have not tried sweet potatoes myself but I did look it up and there are several examples of people growing no dig sweet potatoes with success! Worth a try? Maybe do half in ground and half no dig and see what works best. Happy growing!

[@lovingit1538]

Where was the plant ?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi the plant was there is was just dried up and almost the same color as the straw. Thanks for watching

[@chuckstrong]

One of the things to consider when growing potatoes, asparagus, and a few other plants is light and warmth triggers the production of a chemical called Solanine. This cause symptoms of poisoning in humans if ingested in large quantities. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, headaches and dizziness. This chemical tends to be concentrated under the skin of the potatoes alongside the chlorophyll and also in the newly developing shoots. Your extension office can elaborate.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Chuck good call, with potatoes is shows up as the green potatoes...not supposed to eat them because of what you said above. This is why it is important to have a really good layer of mulch and top up as needed. Great comment! Thanks

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@gofigure4920 Thats a good question, I recall there will be a slight greening, but harder to see. When you cut or peel it becomes more obvious. Thanks for watching and your comment

[@knoxurbanhomestead]

Where is the plant?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi the plant is dried up and blends with the straw, I had left them under the straw as it was really hot out. Plants died off but potatoes were still there!!

[@Angie-jg4nz]

Here, in Alabama, you would have the biggest ant farm living under that straw🙂. Tried this one year, didnt work out well in my garden with ants.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Angie, thats really good to know, every area has its own issues, in the ground for your potatoes. I did have a wasp nest built in the straw one year and found out by running my hand into it and getting stung...oh the joys of gardening. Thanks for watching the video and your info

[@TiannaPrater-vc6yq]

So what you just lay them on the ground and cover with straw or hay or grass clippings? That’s it?!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Tianna sorry for my delayed response I somehow missed your question, hopfully Im not too late, yes just lay them on the soil cover with straw or hay which is what I use as I have it on hand but it seeds so best I think is straw, I dont know about grass I would worry it might clump too much on top and stifle the growth? I found appling the hay 2x in the season worked well, once the plant part got taller I layed another layer, main thing is you dont want the sun to get through else the potatoes turn green which is not good, thanks for your question and watching the video, best of luck

[@teresawebster3498]

I am confused where are the green tops?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Teresa good observation, the green tops were there they had dried up and turned a similar color to the mulch. I was leaving the potatoes in the garden as long as possible to extend their season in the cold room. Thanks for the question.

[@lynnlee272]

Where are the roots and potatoflowers?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Line, they are there, just really hard to see as they are all dried up. I had a late harvest and everthing was dried up. Look close early in the video you can see the plant stalks dried up laying on top of the mulch. Thanks for watching my video and the comment

[@morrisjensen3172]

So where's the plant tops, the leaves and roots? Looks like you just uncovered potatoes you laid out before videoing.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Morris, lol your not the first to notice the lack of leaves or greenery...I havested late in the season and the tops had died dried and turned yellow, same color as the straw/hay. If you look close you will see them. Dont know about the roots. I for sure grew them. Thanks for the comment and checking out the video.

[@davidbruce5524]

@@EasyGardenHacks lmao..that was the first thing I was curious about... great vid. Subscribed

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@davidbruce5524 Hi david thanks for watching and subscribing. I watched the video again recently and you can see the dried out plants they are the long lighter yellow things laying on the hay. Thanks again

[@ninfadoyle1450]

😊😮

[@seichorn4079]

if you are going to try this method dont plant your squash or pumpkins anywhere near it. squash bugs love to live in straw and/or mulch cover.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Good to know thanks for the tip.

[@kevinisbell1867]

Alot less dirt to wash of too.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Kevin for sure, did it again this year and will continue this technique, only issue I had was I did not top up my mulch this year mid season which resulted in a few potatoes being exposed to the sun causing some greening. Thanks for watching and your comment

[@eleanorroberts1886]

Quite suspicious, as NO potato vines were attached to potatoes, & they looked very clean

[@EasyGardenHacks]

haha nothing weird going on here, take a close look and you will see the dried yellow potatoe vines (thicker than the straw)....and of course they were clean all they had on top was straw. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@Christian-jx3nx]

Unfortunately it’s not this easy for everyone. Different soils, weather, location, temperature, rainfall etc

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Teresa, you are totally right, we gardeners need to adjust our ways depending on the conditions we grow in. One technique can work really well for some not so much for others, often influenced by all things you mentioned above. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@aldousburbank1933]

Nice taters my man!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Oh yeah! I like them best as french fries

[@makulitchannelvlog1446]

Wow nice so many potatos.. but you talk to much.. and short videos.. i just want to see degging potato not talk😭!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks appreciate the feedback, more potatoes less talk

[@seichorn4079]

just turn down the volume.

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Lol! Go make your own videos then and we’ll criticize them :)

[@joaopedromavungo2807]

Hi sir, I am Africa continent in Angola country it is a Portuguese one because we were colonised by Portuguese people and I am really satisfied of seeing your results of growing potatoes without covering the soil. Congratulations