Planting potatoes in new ground

[debid]

Hi Charles,
I have just uncovered a patch on my allotment that has been covered in carpet for a couple of years. It was a mass of couch grass before which has now been killed off. This patch has never been dug. I have put a thin layer of horse manure on top from my pile to act as a mulch. I want to plant potatoes (earlies) but am concerned that the ground is quite compact. Will it be OK if I just make a hole in the ground with my dibber and put in a seed potato ?

As a footnote: I started no-dig in winter 2012. Followed your advice and spread 6inches of manure onto my couch infested beds. I now have hardly any couch and what I do get is easily removed. I still get strange looks as everyone else is double digging whilst I am on my knees with my trowel lifting out the weeds! But I will never get the spade out. So thanks.

[charles]

 I would share your concern but without seeing the soil it is hard to be sure. 
Potatoes send lots of roots into firm soil, for food and water. But their tubers do need soft, loose material to swell in. So they will grow alright but unless you provide a soft medium for tubers as they develop, they will form on top and be green. Any extra compost or soil you can find for covering them will be good.

Thanks for your footnote, that is great news.

[Author]

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