When to Add Potato Tops to Compost: Be Sure to Take Note

10.01.2023 13:11

Plant residues from the plot are often sent to compost.

At first glance, it may seem that potato tops that remain after harvesting are also great for compost. But it’s not that simple.

The thing is that before this you need to make sure that the plants are healthy.

If late blight appears on the green mass in the fall, then when such a component gets into the compost, the pathogenic fungi in it do not die, since there is no suitable temperature for this.

If there is a suspicion that the tops are infected, it is better to burn them or throw them away from the site.

Potato
Photo: © Belnovosti

A similar procedure should be done if pests remain on the leaves after harvesting potatoes. Such a component will only spoil the entire fertilizer.

You can add vegetable tops if the gardener is sure that they are completely healthy.

The disease can be prevented in the autumn by mowing the green mass in advance. It is best to do this several weeks before harvesting.

Olga Kotova Author: Olga Kotova Internet resource editor