Growing potatoes to clean the soil and remove weeds

Potatoes grow through Ground sheeting to clear a raised veg bed of weeds

Growing potatoes can be an effective method of cleaning the soil and removing weeds. Potatoes are known to be heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients from the soil to grow. As they grow, they can extract nutrients and other harmful substances from the soil, improving its quality and reducing the number of weeds.

To grow potatoes for this purpose, select an area that has been used for other crops or has had issues with weeds in the past. Prepare the soil by removing any large rocks or debris, and then loosen the soil to a depth of at least 8-12 inches. Mix in organic matter, such as compost or manure, to improve the soil’s nutrient content.

Plant the seed potatoes in rows or hills, leaving about 12-15 inches of space between plants. As the potatoes grow, they will form a dense canopy that will shade out any weeds trying to grow beneath them. As the potato plants mature, the roots will penetrate deep into the soil, extracting nutrients and breaking up compacted soil.

After the potato harvest, the soil will be richer in nutrients and more friable, making it easier to work with and plant other crops. Additionally, any weed seeds that were present in the soil will have been crowded out and suppressed by the potato plants, reducing the weed population in the area.

It’s worth noting that growing potatoes solely for soil remediation purposes may not yield the best crop for eating. However, if you are looking for an organic way to improve soil quality and reduce weed populations, growing potatoes can be a great option.