Peat-Free Compost Ruined My Potatoes?

[@GardenerScott]

Great analysis of a developing problem before it happens. Your thinking on green waste and compost issues makes complete sense. I hope the harvest is better than you expect and look forward to your next update. Great video, mate.

[@bsweat9230]

I too hope you get a better harvest than you expect. Keep your chin up!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks mate. Hope your good.

[@Pooley60]

I followed your video this year to plant potatoes in tubs My first earliest have all got tall vegetation. I pulled a tub last week as foliage was breaking and yellowing. I thought I had done pretty well though having had 5lbs of Duke of York Red out of the tub so you might be better off than you think Tony.

[@simplifygardening]

That is awesome! Lets hope so Stephen

[@Pooley60]

@@simplifygardening fingers crossed 🤞

[@Ms.Byrd68]

@@simplifygardening What about 'Coco Coir'?

[@yb5515]

Suggestions: 1. Add nitrogen free fertilizer if you can find it. 2. Leave the potatoes in the containers until all the foliage dies off. This will give the tubers extra time to develop as the plant drains the energy from the foliage down to the tuber.

[@simplifygardening]

Good tips and I will be leaving them as long as I can

[@wordsbymaribeja1470]

Great advice.

[@christophernunn943]

Leaving them in for longer might mean risking potato blight. I live in East Anglia and I envy the rainfall they get in the west, we haven’t any decent rain for months. Thanks for the great advice Tony.

[@lesleysmith6232]

Remember Tony that failed experiments very often teach us as much as successful ones, credit to you that you tell it as it is,

[@simplifygardening]

Totally agree Lesley

[@justinevansgsm2swaw]

Why r they banning peat moss? I’m in the US. I use my own compost and only add bone meal and my potato garden is doing very well. My plants r dying off already and the wife pulled a lot of potatoes from one small garden yesterday. I do appreciate u making these videos. I attribute much of my success because of u. Thank u.

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

Because peat bogs take thousands of years to create, they're integral to the ecosystem, they're limited resource, and, they're being destroyed rapidly... like every other resource out there.

[@joycemiller7908]

I think harvesting peat is not sustainable. At least at current rates.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Peat comes from bog ecosystems, which are absolutely necessary to clean water, fish, ducks and aquatic species. For 1 in of peat it can take up to 2 decades to regrow.

[@Pixieworksstudio]

Our peat is not sustainable, however, it is in Canada. But then we have the problems of shipping it into the uk. I think for major growers this may be the only solution

[@simplifygardening]

Justine its not sustainable and the government decided to ban it here as of the end of 2023 I believe

[@emss66]

Adding wool to keep water absorption, dalesfoot composts have it in. I got some dalesfoot compost. But also in all my grow bag pots am using wool, as the farmer on land I can get the fleece free and they get little money for it from the wool board. So try adding wool in.

[@simplifygardening]

Agreed by dalefort is very expensive for growing potatoes in

[@chishkat]

My harvest was like yours last year with shop bought compost. I put all the used compost into my compost bin with all the other waste and reused this year. Had great results this year 😊 East Yorkshire

[@simplifygardening]

That is awesome Kat hopefully you will continue to get great harvests

[@vanessaeden8174]

Thanks Tony for being so honest in your dislike of peat free. The legislation to ban it has not even been passed yet, but as usual garden centres have already discontinued it. Jacks Magic is now full of plastic bits, so is Westland and even Humax which I use for my seeds as its expensive. When I contacted the gov depot re peat free, they said they are working 24/7 to find a suitable alternative to peat. Fingers crossed and love the way you pronounce Potato.🥰

[@simplifygardening]

Yes I am finding quality a massive hit. I know we have to move away but at least find something suitable before banning it

[@chrisgait5533]

@@simplifygardening We don't get peat in our locally produced compost, instead we have coir, works for me. The issue is going to be the distance it has travelled and it's consequential Co2 emissions, the upside is it's helping poorer communities. I did try the coir free (reduce costs) and it was so woody i had to take it back all 40 X 70Lt bags!

[@wordsbymaribeja1470]

I have found loads of plastic in the compost I bought from Lidl this year, my best 'compost' was the coco coir and chicken manure I improvised with. I'm in the UK so coco coir is not really sustainable unless you're in the tropics and I don't believe products been shipped across the world only to be sold cheaply... but while I had access to the stuff I bought loads of it. I'll be putting some lawn in my huge garden so the clippings will make up part of my compost going forward.

[@alanoliver5378]

Hiya Tony, my first year in buckets, you're right here mate, just tipped out 4 buckets of marris peer, lots of spuds all small, I've still got 5 buckets of charllot, I'm leaving them till they die off, might get some bigger spuds, my main crop have been battered by winds despite my efforts, another point, strawberries, masses of foliage lots of fruit all small, all planted in peat free compost, I was blaming the really cold march and April, but now you mention it, the compost is the issue 😉

[@simplifygardening]

Ive noticed similar stuff elsewhere like the strawberries, Ive even lost half of the collosus as I was planning on keeping them potted

[@alanoliver5378]

Tony more and more things are falling into place, I planted some dill seeds, they went crackers mate, I was expecting a Bush type plant (I'm new to this) I ended up with 5 or 6 shoots that are 4ft tall now, in 8 weeks, I know nothing mate to be fair, I only planted spuds cos I came accross you, I'm glad you're still learning 😂😂

[@ibrstellar1080]

Another brilliant video Tony, I like your honesty as it educates everyone on pro's and con's with every system and formula you implement.

[@simplifygardening]

No point in everything being perfect

[@exiledtim8493]

Ha, I wish I had the same problems weather wise that you have, here in the mountains of Southern Spain it's hit low to mid 40s every day for the past six weeks, trying to keep stuff from dying due to dehydration is rather costly and sometimes if the truth be known not worth it, I dream of being able to sow seeds directly into the ground again >:) am working on an irrigation system just now so hopefully next year things improve, best of Tony, love your videos.

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah thats got to be hard. Im doing the same thing this year I have the main tunnel done but will be making big strides to drip the site

[@janetteblair2314]

I was wondering what was going on with my crops this year (and my flowers too). Thank you for the possible cause. I do make my own compost but not enough for all my gardening needs - we’ll watch this space with interest!

[@simplifygardening]

We are all in that position Janette this is why I am stepping it up a little

[@CraftCollector]

Gardeners in the US who don't like to use peat, use Coco Core. I only container garden, and also fairly new to gardening. I use a mix of peat moss, potting mix/compost and vermiculite to fill my containers.

[@tomlamey7823]

Tony, same for me here in Arkansas.I had four large tubs that had a great amount of foliage. But zero potatoes on 3, but on 2 small ones in the other. Really disappointed.

[@alanhalford9707]

I assumed with all the downpours we’ve had ,that all my container potatoes were receiving plenty of water ,big mistake the potato canopy stopped the rain reaching the containers ,next year I will set up a watering system .It will still be interesting to see the yield from your Triffids,best of luck ,stay safe👍

[@vanessarheadart9708]

I've been topping them up because of this, my tomatoes, lettuces even the beetroots want more then the rain is giving. Now I know why the farmer in the next field has his watering spray even in the rain.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes Alan, a lot of folks make that mistake they still need watering during the rain

[@clownssschwab6394]

Greetings ... have you not realised about the manufacturers of clouds at play .... and a QUESTION for you .. recall what colour sun's rays were when you were a younger .... not white was it ??? Strange things taking place ... mostly a bad hand in play

[@clownssschwab6394]

What you missed was the higher number strong windy days we are having.. .. have you not noticed so many fences and trees down ???? A tip... stop watching ALL TV. And you will notice more things .

[@RichWoods23]

@@clownssschwab6394 You are aptly named, clown.

[@phirst55]

You did really well with the potatoes that accidentally appeared in your compost bins,, so looks like the way to go in the future! Although here in Ireland we still have peat based compost, in fact it's not that easy (or cheap) to get peat free compost

[@simplifygardening]

I know they are charging more for the crappy stuff makes no sense

[@linggg1541]

I totally agree about the peat free compost..I used blood fish and bone half bought compost and half my own my foliage is about 4 foot presently, no flowers yet..fingers crossed I get a half decent crop..but a lot of these bought compost seems quite clay like..not very water absorbant.

[@simplifygardening]

Agreed. I had one which looks like they scraped it off a field

[@linggg1541]

@@simplifygardening Do they have to go through any vetting procedure to qualify the composts we presently use, or can they claim it's whatever they like on the bag?

[@simplifygardening]

@@linggg1541 They have guidelines on how to do it, but basically nothing is monitored other than water sources and contamination. they do keep records of what goes into the mix and where it comes from but other than that nope

[@soniareddel1342]

My potato crop is coming in fine. I haven't watered at all, in an attempt to prevent slug damage now that slug poison is outlawed and I still have plenty of potatos. I use home made rough compost on top of grass , which might be similar to these composts you mention, and haven't used any fertiliser. I bet if yield is low you will still get nicer potato than the supermarket!

[@annieok654]

I bought the book on Amazon a couple of weeks ago ( today is July 6). It is the most thorough, best written, garden book I own, and I have a library of garden books.

[@simplifygardening]

Oh Annie, Thank you so much for that. I hope you will leave a review on Amazon I have to undo the negative reviews due to Amazons issues :) Glad your enjoying it

[@sue-arlenebury8645]

I have tried your system with the buckets I only have 10 but what I have done differently is put two buckets in growbag trays and after the original watering I put a gallon of water in each tray and make sure they do not dry out. I am looking forward to seeing whether I have tubers or not.

[@amandar7719]

Tony. My neighbour is growing main crop potatoes in unfertilized ground and it’s just as tall. And it’s not started flowering yet, also like yours it seems. Maybe there’s been more nitrate in the rains….? I planted late in my buckets AND in ground this year. They’re only just flowering and aren’t tall. However, my permanent potato bed that’s 5 years into B2Eden is really, REALLY tall. They’re my Charlottes to be used as “new” and one other. Fantastic harvests of scratching around stems. Nice big new potatoes as needed. No scab any more. No watering. If I pull a plant later on in the year, I leave a nice seed one behind. Usually I hand scrape over the fall/winter and harvest what I need if I run out of the stored ones I’ve grown. Just saying, perhaps the nitrates in the rain this year have helped cause the leaf growth, too. The only reason I’ve already scratched around my permanent bed for “new” potatoes and discovered the amazing tubers is because I paid a fortune for a bag of store bought new potatoes last week and they were most definitely last years “new” potatoes. Smelled old two. And smelly skins. Fabulous compost you’ve got there!!!! Hope you’ve been enjoying the Aldi fire pit and collecting woodash/charcoal for next year’s amendments! Gripping series on your potato buckets. I’ll be watching for the update. Atb.

[@simplifygardening]

It could possibly be that Amanda that is why I will repeat the experiment but on a small scale

[@RRYANWATT]

It's not only the hydration issue with peat free, its also an issue with leaching nutrients. Pretty much needs twice the amount of fertilizer because it just washes out of seed trays.

[@chrisguybob]

Hi Tony, being on the Isle of Wight and already harvested my potatoes I was thoroughly disappointed with with my yield. I followed your instructions to the letter used peat free compost, pelleted potato feed and BFB. I agree with your comments on peat free compost as a growing medium. Water drains through very quickly and doesn’t hold the moisture like peat based composts have in the past. As I moved to a house with an enormous garden last year it enabled me to try more methods one being potato containers. However my harvest thus far have been successful having picked runner beans, and harvested tomatoes, Carrots, Beetroot ,mange tout, cucumbers and courgettes. However sowing in this medium has presented its problems with the medium drying out very quickly. Would appreciate some feedback Tony, Chris

[@happy2cya70]

OH NO! We had the exact same thing happen! We used containers as well and absolutely NO potatoes in three of them so far (Probably the same for the others.) The roots only had tiny dangly white nodules on them! SO disappointed. I am trying again soon. I already have some chitting now.

[@simplifygardening]

Sorry to hear that. The containers arnt the issue the problem is the compost

[@CoastalGardensNW]

Hi Tony wil be interesting to see how they have done, love the new compost bays 👌 I'm on bay number 5 now 👍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@simplifygardening]

Will be doing a video when I harvest don't worry. Great on making a 5th bay

[@julie99nl]

I agree. On the continent, I'm having the same issue with my potatoes in containers. The top of the plants are gigantic and leafy. I'm also having to water a lot more. So I wonder if the only way to do it with store bought compost is to buy it now to stack and store till next summer growing season. Producing all your own compost is the ideal, but if there's a shortage of space and or if someone doesn't produce enough garden waste for all your needs.

[@leticiaworboys9927]

I have potato psyllids killing my plants. 😫 I've tried neem oil, insecticidal soap and removing 2 inches of soil. I think I will buy some ladybugs. Maybe they will help. This is the first year I've had pests in my garden this bad. Love all your videos. Thank you.

[@krisH-ph5of]

I've had the same problem this year, never seen them before and all of a sudden BOOM whole potato crop is covered overnight... think I might try leaving the patch to fallow next year hopefully that'll get rid of them.

[@francesbatycki404]

Where are you? I ask because we are having a pest year too. It may be our unusually cool and wet spring. Central Kootenays, BC Canada.

[@leticiaworboys9927]

@@francesbatycki404 I live in Southwestern Ontario near Lake Huron. Its werid because I rarely have garden pests, but this year is out of control.

[@francesbatycki404]

We brought in compost and garden soil this year from a well respected farm. No one has ever had anything but praise for the place, so I’m inclined to say it’s a climate shift this year. The well above average snowpack and the fairly constant rains seem to have given bugs a licence to proliferate. Still, having said that, I almost swished an icky looking bug the other day but stopped to look it up and it turned out to be a beneficial bug. However, I’ve also had an invasive beetle in a flower bed and I’ve not even seen the sort before before, so something is changing. Best of luck.

[@simplifygardening]

Down to stressed plants. I think we will all be having a story this year

[@juneshannon8074]

Hi Tony. I am so grateful that you do these trials, sometimes at the detriment of your harvest. I’m sorry that you, the potato King, have been toppled by the absence of Pete. I’m green with envy at the amount of your compost and realise that I need to put a greater effort into my composting and invest in your book. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺

[@simplifygardening]

So nice of you June. I think you will find more and more people turning to making as much as they can

[@Khalinjai]

I bought the compost master class book for my birthday, im waiting for the delivery cant wait to get the book delivered and get started.

[@simplifygardening]

Hope you enjoy it Kevin. I think it will open your eyes if nothing else

[@jonathanrussell2023]

Having the same problem here with lots of top growth on the spuds, also having lots of problems with dwarf French beans, 80% failure on germination, usually an easy grow veg. We have tried 4 different varieties, and all are the same in the new peat free compost.

[@simplifygardening]

I had that on my yingyang beans no germination in 3 batches sowed all from different suppliers too

[@charlieadams1313]

Maybe not warm enough for your beans to germinate?

[@elizabethshealingpath6366]

In the states we have a product called pittmoss . Used it this year and happy with results. Not a fan of Coco peat unless it's for my worm bins.

[@poo2764]

I also bought peat free compost and rank it as useless, it does not hold moisture. I mulched it on top of my flower beds to hold in moisture because of heat waves only to find it actually made the beds dryer. So I have bought Tipland moss peat for next year one lot with seaweed added and second john innings added, as we are still in EU next year we will have a ban on moss peat being sold so we will see! I bought my peat free in (Aldi) in my town, here is to the manufactures improving this product☘🥦🥬🥒🫑🥕🥔 The product Tipland is made in Co,Tipperary.

[@rtreborg8472]

I planted 2 seed potatoes in each bucket - 45% peat compost. Fertilized with a generous bone and fish meal and watered when needed - finger test. Generous layer of wood chippings on top to stop surface evaporation. Results so far: Bucket 1- 4: 400g, 600g, 500g (only one grew), 520g. I planted Sarpo, 3 varieties, due to less risk of blight . No slug damage but yields appalling. I planted in different areas : edge of allotment - ground planted, in polytunnel and shaded area outside polytunnel - 30L buckets. In all areas they suffered from Black spot - suggests the fungus was probably an extra on the seed potatoes bought! So produce not a lot more weight than the weight of the seed potatoes in the first place!!

[@sallygiles132]

Thank you for sharing, you have made me feel a lot better. My potatoes are nearly as tall as me and I emptied a bucket yesterday and there was only just enough for a meal🙁🙁 but now I feel happier thank you 🤗🤗

[@simplifygardening]

Its not your fault Sally We will need to adapt for next year so stay tuned

[@24017460]

am having the same trouble as the spuds are like Trafford's.. i agree entirely with the compost you get from garden centres and i find a lot of weeds coming up in their compost.

[@simplifygardening]

Mental this year for sure

[@Mygardencraftcabin]

I think I got blight on my first earlier. With having lots of rain one day to hot sun the next. It was like this for about 2 weeks. I cut the foliage down before it spread. Manage to get some decent size, but there was a lot of tiny ones. Btw I’m in Manchester 🇬🇧

[@lynnedinsdale5009]

Same east yorks

[@simplifygardening]

Shame thats the issue with hot muggy weather like we had

[@clownssschwab6394]

I am getting same response from US Canada ..and a few European countries .... it's not an accident ... I will try and forward you a channel that explains things next comments

[@clownssschwab6394]

AD/A/PT*2#0$3*0 (But without the bits) try that you will find its everywhere ....

[@mariondunn6580]

Hi Tony, many thanks for the videos and for tackling peat free. All peat free are not the same and there are folks around the country making great peat free composts on small/local scale. Here is West Wales we have peat free compost made from worm casts and coir amongst other things. It's great, feels warm to touch and is a brilliant compost for seedlings, potting on, bulbs, etc. Hopefully some of the big boys making the substandard stuff will learn or go out of business. It's such a shame that peat free gets a bad name and therefore gardeners are reluctant to make the change. We should have stopped using peat years ago. Thanks again

[@hughezzell10000]

Pretty simple solution. Buy 2 years worth of commercial compost and cycle 1/2 of it through your compost pile for next year. The N will be absorbed/used up by the compost pile (use plenty of straw/brown waste and wood chips) and next year you'll have perfect compost for your potatoes that will absorb and hold water perfectly.

[@kerryl4031]

Impressive compost bin system. Fingers crossed you do get something for all that hard work. My maincrop romped away while the first earlies hadn't even kicked off. That will explain a lot. Just took up the new ones and some did better than others (some didn't have any potatoes at all, just plant) although the yield was reasonable in the end, so as long as I get many more potatoes than I plant, then I'm happy! Second earlies don't look much better, as I've taken up a couple - blooming voles!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Excellent insights Tony. I've stopped taking grass clippings from a friend because he hired a well know lawn maintenance company that uses glycophates and other herbicides. All his clippings now go to a composting facility!?! As you know we're new to gardening so I'm not sure, but how is shipping Coco Coir from the other side of the world sustainable? Again great video !! Cheers Jason and Colleen 🌱🇨🇦🌱

[@simplifygardening]

You have to be mindful what your getting for sure

[@karenharkness4847]

I am trialling peat free compost, soil conditioner and mulch from Rocket grow. Really impressed with it so far.

[@simplifygardening]

Be interested to hear the results Karen please

[@karenharkness4847]

@@simplifygardening yes keen to see how it performs as I'm struggling to find a really great peat free that retains moisture. It's certainly got an interesting texture and comes inoculated with tonnes of microbes. I also bought a bottle of their liquid feed which was great, nice and stinky and very lively.

[@berghauss]

Tony, I have exactly the same problem!! To the point! Massive foliage, I can't water it enough, we have severe drought here, no rain but when I water trough hose water simply run through. Something telling me this year potato harvest went to the drainage. With no peat in the buckets this is a no go for the next year. I never see potatos foliage so huge and struggling to stay up lift.

[@douggibson9084]

Another excellent video Tony, thanks 👍👍. I went with your suggestion 10gal grow bags, Yukon Gold, Pontiac Red and purple fingerling. Thanks again.

[@simplifygardening]

Nice Doug let me know how they do for you mate

[@francesbatycki404]

This year, I started using containers. My Bintje went into the traditional garden because I ran out of containers. When I bought my seed potatoes, I bought a specialty potato fertilizer. Fingers crossed. But yeah, lots of foliage this year too.

[@simplifygardening]

Lets hope you have a good crop. The containers arnt the issue I have 12 years of proven crops on them

[@EastCoastAxes]

Hey Tony I grew some blur chieftains the past two years and the stalks were almost 5 feet tall. I had a great harvest. Prior to that I had never seen stalks so high on potatoes. I think it’s just a sign of the available nutrients in the soil. I’ll be watching to see what you end up with but I’m betting you’ll have a stellar harvest.

[@simplifygardening]

Jason I hope your correct my friend

[@homegardens7682]

Yo Tony! I hope your yields are great. As you know I have been inspired by your goodself to grow Kondor. Not long now and hopefully I will have some great yields here

[@simplifygardening]

Best of luck Dan hope it turns out well for you pal

[@seanbrennan4447]

Just emptied my 30ltr buckets of potatoes and my 15ltr buckets ,the 15ltr had double the amount of potatoes , and mine were same as yours top growth was 5 foot as well and using peat free compost. Plus also same type and planted at same time !

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah such a worrying thing to be seeing with peat free. not a great result for promoting the growth of stuff

[@AndrewJones-wp4ot]

Bought your book, read it, loved it. But would love to know how you use your plastic compost bins, before you fill your self made bins? Love your work. I learn something new every time.

[@simplifygardening]

I have now got rid of the plastic ones as they are to small for me, but I tended to use them for my leaf mold

[@sandragambles46]

Thank you Tony for all the help you’ve gave me to grow my first lot of potatoes I’ve just harvest early Sharples and out of 230 L tubs I have a £16 of potatoes thank you once again I’ve got my main crop to do yet but they’re not ready

[@HeatherNaturaly]

Try coconut coir as a peat substitute. It will have to be chopped, I suspect, but it holds water amazingly well.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes it would

[@MartinSunderland]

If water runs straight through the peat-free compost, can the tub be put in a shallow water filled tray to keep the compost moist?

[@kevinrogers326]

The is an amazing composting set up.

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Kevin

[@woodworks2123]

Hi Tony, great to see your fixing your problem yourself to produce more compost yourself. Your previous composting videos are fantastic and I have incorporated the techniques into my 4 bay composting area. I sometimes struggle to get enough material. I'm lucky to run a woodworking workshop so have lots of sawdust and shavings I use which is usually what people struggle to get, I even last year cut grass for a couple people just to get more material to bulk out my bins, how are you going to get enough material to fill 9 bins? Are you going to be doing anything different this year to get more materials?

[@donnac.3268]

👍 ahhh! Maybe this was my problem...thought I did everything right but got just a few tiny potatoes.

[@simplifygardening]

its not been a good year this year

[@safusp]

Many thanks Tony for the video. Always loved your potato videos and I had great success last year in 30L containers. Unfortunately I had shocking poor yield this year on my first send 2nd early potatoes and it was quite clear that the quality of peat free compost I bought this year in UK is of really poor 😢. I have no expectation on the main crop potatoes that are growing in the containers (I used the same poor quality compost)!! Home made compost is the way to go!!

[@elainewilliams3025]

Hi Tony. I'm growing my potatoes for the first time in pots. I'm using a supply of bought in compost but they also have the issue of water retention. Its a lot of work but the first earlies weren't too bad. Let's see how the 2nd earlies get on. Regards Elaine.

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah Like I said it maybe we have to adapt a little to whats happening in the industry but we will figure it out as a community

[@Chardifications]

My potato patch, looks exactly like your patch Tony. I'm using 10 year old horse manure as main medium this year. As I had loads of it. I also used pelleted potato feed. I'm of same opinion. That the well rotted manure was too rich.

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah and its why I dont use manure after a few trials I did with it. too much nitrogen

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Nice one Tony. What is the issue with collapsed foliage? Mine do it every year, it opens up the centre of the bucket and allows rain and fresh air to get in. My harvests get better year on year. Sadly, I cannot make enough compost for my needs so I will always need to purchase some. Many of the green waste peat-free composts are struggling for decent materials to use, especially because much of the woodchip etc is diverted to biomass furnaces due to the govt subsidy.

[@Ed19601]

yes, here too

[@simplifygardening]

They will grow sprawling and this is fine if you set up irrigation. but if we have high heat it cooks the tops and ends the plants life early. Ive had great results too but this way its much better I can get around them to water if needed and feed

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@simplifygardening Cool. I understand now. My rows of buckets are only 2 wide so no hassle with watering for me. Cheers Tony

[@margaretparsons9858]

I’m wondering if shredded newspaper & cardboard might help keep H2O in your mix if added just before planting? I know that worms like it❣️✌️🍀🙏💗Our papers have veg inks🇺🇸p.s. Love your videos & hope you’re feeling better❣️

[@simplifygardening]

The prob is will it hold too much moisture around the tubers and rot them

[@r.perkins2103]

You learn more by failure than success. Thank you for doing these side by side trials.

[@simplifygardening]

Totally agree, and sharing the data is what counts

[@leticiaworboys9927]

We have been Fortunate here in Canada. We still have alot of peat moss available as its sourced here on the west coast and is very sustainable. I would use coco coir if peat wasn't available.

[@simplifygardening]

That is another option but its inert and they dont seem to be using it in the mixes atm as they say they cant get enough for it to be a main ingredient

[@margaretjohnson4413]

The issue with peat is that it is a carbon sink and water store we are reducing that sink and store while at the same time releasing the methane stored in the peat each time it is dug out. While it happened on a small scale in the past by crofters using the peat for fuel the scale of compost production for home gardening and horticulture is destroying the peat moors. This has a three fold effect of releasing the methane stored in the decaying vegetation, reducing the amount of CO2 that peatlands can absorb and allowing the high rainfall in peat land areas to run off causing floods which further damage the environment and housing.

[@leticiaworboys9927]

@@margaretjohnson4413 Thank you for the info. I'll have to look into it. I've heard on other Gardening channels that the Peat in Canada comes from a sustainable source that has no ill effect on the environment. I'll definitely check it out. 👍

[@1joepassable998]

Hello Tony Great video as always. I have found just the same this year- massive top growth using a home made traditional and worm compost with some peat free added plus BF & B and potato feed. Leaving it as long as possible to check yield. Tomato seeds planted in the same medium failed to thrive and develop. I had to buy plants from the local garden centre- first time in years. Great though to hear a familiar Welsh accent.

[@and3583]

I found a shop with half a pallet of 100% sphagnum moss peat left over from last year so I bought as much as I could afford, thinking of gathering loads of leaves this year

[@simplifygardening]

I think we need to take control of it this year tbh

[@lynnpurfield9430]

Oh, thank you for trialing this. I am findi g watering frustrating as I thought it had become hydrophobic. I did mix in home made compost to the potato buckets(which is usually quite high in nitrogen) and got a great harvest but other root veg just struggled to develop roots where I relied on the peat free.

[@trevorgraham8351]

Hi Lynn, Just a thought when using buckets to drill the drainage holes maybe one or two inches up the side of the bucket and not the bottom. That way there will always be water for the crop. Trevor

[@leatonveg]

Hi Tony. My main crop (king Edward) are 5ft tall in clay soil that was dropped over the fence by an excavator last october. There has been no compost added. But I did throw some pretty fresh horse manure on the top of the ground. Cheers, Jason

[@simplifygardening]

the nitrogen in the manure might be doing the same thing. Im wondering if the compost makers are doing it too as a bulking agent

[@leatonveg]

@@simplifygardening Most likely as its cheap and readily available. When I get sorted ill be building a 5 bay compost system. The two outer bays to recieve fresh stuff. Then turned into next bays, then turned into middle bay for use. But im thinking of making the second bays 20% smaller than the first to save space. As the piles hould have shrunk at least 20% beore they get turned.

[@roxanneloomis7965]

A compositing question. I bought some mushroom compost this year. I am getting a lot of "green" and little fruit. Next year what can I do to get more fruit? How should I amend my soil?

[@billyandrew]

So, how was the yield, Tony? I rigged up a tarp to cover my spuds and other stuff, during periods of heavy rain. Worked a treat.

[@daviedodds3050]

Waterstones got it on paperback now. But go to your local bookstore business & support your local community. I like the composting videos because it's my Achilles heel. I spend a fortune on it too & we're getting diminishing returns for the investment. Thanks Tony!

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Davie. keep growing :)

[@johndyer9232]

My Yukon Golds and early reds (the variety I have forgotten) did horribly this year. In SW Missouri, USA.

[@simplifygardening]

weather might have been playing a part too

[@johndyer9232]

@@simplifygardening I believe so. We had a week in the upper 80’s in April then it got cool and rainy until mid may. Then hot again. Planted them Mar 14. There were more reds than the Yukon Golds. Over half the Yukon Golfs were rotten when I harvested. I may have waited too long to harvest.

[@julienorton1067]

Hi Tony My Spuds are like massive triffids too. I can't remember if I've got peat free compost on them or not, as I've mixed and matched around the garden. But thank you for this, video. I think my potatoe harvest is going to be poor, too, now. At least I will know why. Best of luck. 🌱🥔🥔🐶🐾

[@simplifygardening]

Its a sign of whats being put into compost I guess

[@julienorton1067]

@@simplifygardening Agreed. I found a really big shard of glass in my Jack's Magic, last year. They were very apologetic. But I, like many others find plastic and other bits & Bob's lately. And it's not cheap. Moan over, sorry..🤦🏼‍♀️😊🐶🐾

[@lisaskilton3746]

thanks for the video To y! I hope that you are wrong with your harvest..... I must be one of the lucky ones to get your book which got from Waterstones. Still got to start reading it but so busy with work and garden I dont get the time but will! I hope to use some of my own compost next year but love your set up of the compost bins that it looks so neat and tidy that I could do similar on our place. thanks

[@simplifygardening]

Now you have it Lisa you can get to it as and when your ready

[@caseyfletcher3720]

I had ridiculous top growth on my potatoes this year and fretted for the same reasons you stated. (composted leaves, chicken bedding, blood +bone, epsom salt) Grown under a horizontal cattle panel. My round potatoes did fantastic but my banana fingerlings were tiny...lots of them but tiny.

[@simplifygardening]

Hmm doesnt bode well does it?

[@carlafawcett6494]

Are you ok Tony? Hope you are doing well after being sick ??

[@simplifygardening]

Hi Carla, Thanks for asking I will be back making videos next week. I was ill for quite a bit and then decided to take a break to finish a project that I will let you all know about soon

[@wass77]

i always had this understanding that if the plant looks tall and green the roots has to be big and healthy, guess i was wrong thank you very much for this very insightful video Mr Tony

[@simplifygardening]

Usually this is the case but not for tubers

[@Asgardsteve1]

The most recent bags i had, had loads of decomposing cabbage leaves in it that hadnt fully broken down

[@simplifygardening]

Wow that just shows they are struggling

[@sewingman1]

Hi Tony, your video is seriously thought provoking and I understand your concern. -- All top and no bottom -- However, I truly believe you will get a better harvest than you are thinking possible. As you say, they are standing in containers so that adds 6 - 8 inches, plus they are stood up because of the supports you have built. I will watch your harvests with enthusiasm. If I am right, you owe me a pint.

[@simplifygardening]

If I get a good crop I will gladly buy you one ;)

[@Pixieworksstudio]

It is a bit of an ongoing nightmare, Tony, and the compost manufacturing industry just isn't ready for it. I don't know if half of them actually know what they are doing, or if the other half actually care, and it really needs regulation. Digwell's last video was a bit scary, and as I said to Charles Dowding, glyphosate has had its licence extended thanks to the EU worried about shareholders. With that and other things in it we are all on a hiding to nothing unless we can make our own pronto. I honestly think we would be better digging earth out of our gardens and conditioning that to grow in with either our own compost or feed. Thanks for the great video Tony, I'm sorry to hear your book isn't sorted yet. It is on my Christmas list, and I have advised others to look for it, as a lot of my gardening friends were not up on how important compost making is going to be I think the most worrying thing is that we just haven't a clue what we will get when we open those bags! and all our hard work, as well as much-needed food harvest will be badly affected.

[@francesbatycki404]

I think your idea of conditioning our own soil is a great one!

[@Pixieworksstudio]

@@francesbatycki404 Thank you Frances, it is the only thing I can think of. If we are putting our own compost on our own soil, I think we should be digging that up to put in pots.

[@juneshannon8074]

I think you’ve been too kind regarding the compost manufactures. They just don’t care what the produce as they are only interested in money in my opinion. I bought some bags of cow manure which I’m sure had been dyed, as it was so black, and so light and fluffy that it almost blew away. Unfortunately, we have absolutely no idea what goes into these products.

[@simplifygardening]

It was one of the reasons for writing the book Amanda so many people struggle with composting and I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to do it no matter the scale

[@simplifygardening]

its perfect

[@sharonshepard4580]

Tony, when will you be posting your next video? Looking forward to seeing your harvest!

[@simplifygardening]

Next week will be the next video I haven't been well then I decided to take some time to do a project before winter set in

[@sharonshepard4580]

@@simplifygardening Oh my gosh I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been not feeling well. Hopefully it’s not Covid.

[@fakc2]

Hi Tony. Would coco coir be an alternative to peat to add to the compost??

[@that_auntceleste5848]

I like it!

[@simplifygardening]

Yes it would but the manufactures wont add it as its more expensive and they say if they start using it as a main bulking agent it cant support the industry

[@ollythomas6702]

Yes and no. It is a fair substitute for it but I've heard mumblings it's just as bad for the environment as peat production is. Feels like swapping one problem for another. There does seem to be a lot of conflicting information on this subject out there. Either way, my shed will get stocked up with peat shortly before the ban.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@ollythomas6702 Start stocking up now as many retailers have already discontinued peat and peat based composts

[@magdapietrzak9031]

This is wht I am composting everything from garden like crazy. Having 0.1 acre garden i have quite a lot of greens so use shreded cartons or woodchips as balancing brown. Next year i will have nice compost i will mix with peat reclaimed from this year potatoes..

[@simplifygardening]

Yeah I think just using bagged compost those days are gone

[@johnharding6394]

Asda do a deal of 3 bags for £12 50lt per bag/ As I empy each bucket I was going to put the compost to one side then next season maybe ad some coconut core to give it more water retension. Do you think the nitrogen will have burnt off for next season?

[@simplifygardening]

That is maybe something to consider

[@MarkCarline]

What I've seen is that the foliage means nothing (maybe) i think what really matters is the feed that we add when planting, blood fish & bone or bone meal is what i am using this year so.....we shall see ;) Planting potatoes in pots is kind of all new to me (1st year doing it) so who knows. Keep up the great work :)

[@simplifygardening]

Ive been growing in containers like this for 13 years and had great results each time. this worries me

[@hacgarimman9660]

Exact same thing happened to mine this year after going to Aldi seaweed compost. 1" topdress on my beds and planted maris Piper Easter weekend. The collapsed but I left them. Harvested three plants worth yesterday and pulled 9lb of potatoes. 20% of which were new potato sized. The rest mid sized. Not too bad a haul but not the best. Left a few in the ground to see how much I'll harvest in 4 weeks. I also did find that when pulling them up the growing medium was so dry. Almost no moisture. No matter how much I thought I was watering them. Just didn't hold onto any moisture whatsoever. Seems as though your thoughts maybe right. Looking forward to seeing your results

[@simplifygardening]

Hope they come later. Im leaving mine as long as I can this year

[@michaelboom7704]

I have various forms of composting, hot compost, regular compost and worm bin which helps me not needing outside sources for compost. I am interested to see the harvest of your potatoes when you do that.

[@simplifygardening]

Thats great Michael. I will video it of course

[@andrewmossop6241]

I am having the same thoughts Tony. I have used bought in compost for 2 thirds of my containers and my own compost for the remaining third? Like yours the 2 thirds look lush.

[@simplifygardening]

Crazy huh?

[@pennythompson4790]

Very interesting ihave 3 dalek bins and i've just turned my compost and have lovely rich compostto use inmypots, my tomato plants are all in my own compost andthey are thriving so i'm trying to make as much for my garden as possiblexx

[@simplifygardening]

I think it’s going to be the only way to guarantee results for the next few years until they fix their processes

[@DontCropMeNow]

I use my homemade compost for our potato tubs. Have just ordered you book. Looking forward to reading it.

[@simplifygardening]

Awesome I will be listening out for your review on it :)

[@DontCropMeNow]

@@simplifygardening will do!

[@juliawigger9796]

Silly question here, but in order to retain moisture could I use those gel retainer things that I put in my hanging baskets.?

[@fordsonmajor89]

Hi Tony, How about cutting some of the growth back? Gerry

[@simplifygardening]

Gerry in my experience once you trim the foliage it ends the plants growth hormones so same result

[@fordsonmajor89]

@@simplifygardening Tony I did not know that, I'm new at growing potatoes and appreciate your feed back and enjoy your videos. Gerry in PA on the east side of USA.

[@1justpara]

That was the first two things I noticed about my own crop this year too. I also have one or two spuds poking through the top of the soil and they look very small. We shall see. Another curious thing this year is all my plants produced lots of flowers but they failed to open and then fell off. Could be lack of sun as we don't get much here in the North East, but all seems quite different this year.

[@simplifygardening]

Lots of factors to consider this year I guess

[@1justpara]

@@simplifygardening I harvested my spuds and got quite a decent haul. Almost 3k from a tub a bit smaller than yours. Guess I was wrong about the compost. Have you harvested yours yet? How did you do?

[@englishrose4388]

This was very interesting, thank you.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Tony, great video on your trial of compost,lots to think about for the future. Hope your harvest isnt as bad as think it will be. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@simplifygardening]

I hope not too Christine this is my food for the year

[@nadias5192]

Thankyou Tony I very much appreciate all your gardening know how your successes & the disheartening moments always help me with my gardening choices . Take care.

[@simplifygardening]

Thats what its about Nadia. Its not all fun and roses :)

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Surely need the peat for the acidity tony.?? I bought 2 tons of it in spring. It'll do me till i finish.. Can't beat pig wire hey ? Tony on your home made compost How do you quantify how much nutrients are in it prior to planting in it..??

[@simplifygardening]

Exactly Simon this is why people are reporting scab this is because its too alkaline and inconsistent water. the peat helps reduce the alkalinity to more acidic conditions which potatoes like

[@paulinemorris5186]

I ordered your book through Waterstones and had no problems at all.

[@simplifygardening]

Perfect Pauline. I am glad folks are managing to get it. I had 8 weeks of hell with Amazon Twitter was the last chance saloon with them and it seemed to have worked

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Tony, have tried a mix using shredded paper? Seems as though, being fibrous it would retain a certain amount of water without getting waterlogged, and since it is a carbon (brown) might it reduce overall nitrogen level while decomposing? When buying soil material, we use equal parts compost, potting soil, and peat. Then amend with nutrients needed by the plant. We are using your bucket sitting in wood chips, with support fencing system this year. Working great, holding the plants up off the ground I think aides in blight prevention and makes it a lot easier for us to navigate through the garden. TYFS

[@simplifygardening]

Yes massively because it allows airflow

[@pattydessauer9302]

How do you get such a large amount of compost? I hardly have any just from my kitchen scraps and leaves

[@simplifygardening]

I have a large garden but I also ask people I know who garden organically if I can have their waste too

[@tammym110]

Hi Tony. I was able to buy your book the day you announced it. Amazon didn’t carry it but I was able to buy a copy on Barnes and Noble website. The book is first rate and your knowledge is impressive. I’m in the process of building my compost bin as I’ve just located the spot I want to build on. It was intriguing to see the different ways to compost. I’m interested in the trenches for food waste. I will give that a go too. My potatoes are near harvest for me. I’m waiting until next week to re-evaluate my next step.

[@simplifygardening]

Thats great Tammy. I am glad you had no issues getting the book and you learned something from it. Thanks for the support

[@pama1]

My bday is next week. A family member asked me for ideas for a present, I told them "Tony's book composting masterclass". Hopefully will be getting it in paperback next week woohoo

[@simplifygardening]

Thats awesome and I am sure you will enjoy it. Let me know what you think :)

[@virginiaomalley]

I live in North Carolina, United States. I think my low yield and smaller potatoes was due to the fact that I combined a lot of dead and decaying leaves from the woods behind our house resulting in too much nitrogen. I harvested one bucket at the end of June and I will harvest the other one at the end of July. My stalks were so high that I had to stake them.

[@simplifygardening]

Seems lots of folks having this issue this year