The Art of Earthing Up
Every good garden planner knows that a little mound of soil can make all the difference. Whether you're keeping early shoots warm, protecting your potatoes, or ensuring your brassicas stand tall in the face of winter storms, earthing up is an essential trick to keep your garden thriving. So grab your spade, channel your inner soil sculptor, and let’s talk mounds!
Keep Early Shoots Snug and Toasty
A mild spell in winter or early spring can lull perennials into a false sense of security, tempting them to send up early shoots. But as every seasoned garden planner knows, frost can still swoop in like an uninvited dinner guest. The solution? Give those tender shoots a warm, protective blanket by covering them with a thick layer of peat or coir compost. This will shield them from icy surprises and keep them in prime condition for when spring truly arrives.
Protect Your Potatoes: No Green Spuds Allowed
Potatoes are the drama queens of the vegetable world—expose them to light, and they turn green and toxic! To prevent your prized tubers from becoming inedible, start earthing up as soon as their foliage appears above ground. Regularly build up soil around the stems, ensuring the tubers stay covered. For bonus points, shape a shallow gutter along the top of the mound to improve water absorption and prevent your potato patch from becoming a swamp.
Winter Protection: No More Frostbitten Artichokes
Not all plants are tough enough to face the winter unscathed. Delicate beauties like globe artichokes need a little extra help when temperatures drop. Mounding up a mix of pulverized bark and pebbles around the base of these tender plants acts like a cozy winter coat, protecting their roots from frost and ensuring they bounce back strong when the warmer months return.
Help Brassicas Stand Tall
Winter cabbages, cauliflowers, and their leafy cousins need a bit of extra support to avoid becoming casualties of blustery weather. Earthing up the stems will help these veggies develop stronger root systems. For the taller members of the brassica family—like Brussels sprouts—staking them alongside earthing up will prevent them from rocking in the wind, which can disturb their roots and stunt their growth.
Blanch Like a Pro
Earthing up isn’t just about protection—it’s also the secret to producing beautifully blanched vegetables. Celery, Florence fennel, and leeks all benefit from a little soil banking around their bases as they grow. This method helps to block out sunlight, keeping stems tender and palatable. No more tough, stringy celery for your soups and salads!
Apply with Care
While earthing up is a gardener’s best friend, it does require a gentle touch. Avoid pressing down too firmly on the soil, as you might accidentally bruise delicate shoots. Think of it as tucking your plants in for the night—snug but not suffocating.
So, next time you’re out in the garden, don’t just stand there—mound something! Your plants will thank you, and your garden will look all the better for it. Happy earthing!
