How to Plant Potatoes in Straw

Planting potatoes in straw is an easy, low-effort method that avoids digging and produces clean, easy-to-harvest potatoes. It works well in UK gardens, allotments, and even on poor or compacted soil, making it ideal for beginners and no-dig gardeners.

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Why Grow Potatoes in Straw?

Growing potatoes in straw:

• Requires very little digging
• Improves soil health over time
• Produces clean potatoes
• Makes harvesting quick and easy
• Works well on grass, poor soil, or heavy clay

It’s a popular alternative to trench planting.

What You’ll Need

• Seed potatoes (chitted if possible)
• Straw (not hay, which contains seeds)
• Optional: cardboard or newspaper
• A sunny growing area

Avoid using fresh grass clippings on their own, as they compact and rot.

Step 1: Prepare the Ground (No Digging)

You don’t need to dig the soil.

• Cut long grass short if planting on a lawn
• Remove large weeds
• Lay cardboard or several layers of newspaper on the ground (optional but helpful)
• This suppresses weeds and grass

Water lightly so the cardboard settles.

Step 2: Place the Seed Potatoes

• Lay seed potatoes directly on top of the soil or cardboard
• Shoots (chits) facing upwards
• Space correctly:
  • First & second earlies: 30 cm apart
  • Maincrop: 35–40 cm apart

Do not overcrowd, as this reduces yields.

Step 3: Cover with Straw

• Cover potatoes with 20–25 cm of loose straw
• Ensure all potatoes are completely covered
• Do not compact the straw

The layer will settle naturally over time.

Step 4: Add More Straw as Plants Grow

As shoots emerge:

• Add more straw around the stems
• Leave the top leaves exposed
• Build the layer up to 30–40 cm deep

This replaces traditional earthing up and prevents greening.

Step 5: Watering

• Water during dry spells
• Straw helps retain moisture
• Avoid soaking the bed

This method usually needs less watering than soil planting.

Step 6: Feeding

Straw contains very little nutrition.

• Add a layer of compost beneath the straw if possible
• Apply a light balanced or organic feed once plants begin flowering

Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.

Step 7: Frost Protection

Straw offers some insulation.

• Add extra straw if frost is forecast
• Early shoots can be lightly buried temporarily for protection

Step 8: Harvesting Potatoes Grown in Straw

Harvesting is simple and clean:

• Pull back the straw by hand
• Lift potatoes from the surface
• No digging or forking required

Potatoes grown in straw are usually very clean.

Best Potatoes for Straw Growing

This method works well for:

• First earlies
• Second earlies
• Maincrop potatoes

Maincrop varieties need a deeper straw layer for best yields.

Advantages of Growing Potatoes in Straw

• Minimal effort
• Cleaner harvest
• Good for poor or compacted soil
• Improves soil underneath as straw breaks down

Disadvantages to Watch For

• Straw can attract slugs in damp conditions
• Requires a large amount of straw
• Straw may blow away if not weighed down

Mixing straw with compost helps reduce problems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using hay instead of straw
• Straw layer too thin
• Allowing potatoes to become exposed to light
• Letting straw dry out completely

Straw vs Trench Planting

• Straw planting: Low effort, easy harvest
• Trench planting: Higher yields in fertile soil

Both methods work well depending on your priorities.

Quick Summary

• No digging required
• Place potatoes on soil surface
• Cover with 20–25 cm straw
• Add more straw as plants grow
• Harvest by pulling back straw

Final Tip

Planting potatoes in straw is one of the easiest ways to grow potatoes with minimal effort. If you want clean potatoes, easy harvesting, and healthy soil, this method is well worth trying.