Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

I am having problems with my soil beds blowing out and the water filling
the aisles. My potato beds are a particular problem and I have found
potatoes growing under the ridges when I am harvesting them so I think
that is causing the problem there. I have clay soil. Any suggestions?
Should I just build grow boxes?

Thanks,

Kathy

Kathy & Group:

The things that cause beds to blow out include:
1. beds that are not level, causing the water to move too fast;
2. ridges that are not built tall enough (should be at least 4" tall from INSIDE the bed);
3. using too much water;
4. clay soil cracking when dry and letting water seep through;
5. very sandy soil not holding water;
6. gophers, voles, mice, etc. burrowing through sides of ridges, etc.
7. potatoes growing in the ridges (?) I've never seen or heard of this one.

If they are built correctly they rarely blow out, and if you pay attention to them and keep a shovel handy you can quickly stop a leak from becoming a blow-out.

Jim Kennard

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