earth up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To cover the stem or leaves of plants with soil, as to encourage root growth or protect from cold.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Earth up a potato crop several times during the season to encourage more tubers to grow.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “earth up” mean?

To cover the stem or leaves of plants with soil, as to encourage root growth or protect from cold.

Is “earth up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.