How to plant potatoes correctly, a description of the best ways to sow potatoes

Potatoes are cultivated in different climatic zones. To adapt to the conditions of their region, gardeners and vegetable growers have invented many methods of planting and growing vegetables. A properly selected method will ensure an increased yield and justify the efforts made. So, we’ll tell you in detail when and how to plant potatoes correctly.

When to plant potatoes

Potatoes are an early planting crop. The most correct time is considered to be the days when the snow has already completely melted, but the soil is still wet. This is especially important for unirrigated areas.

The peak planting time for potatoes is early to mid-May. The earth is already warm enough, and frosts are unlikely. But in each climate zone the timing depends on the weather conditions. In the southern regions, planting begins at the end of April, in colder regions - at the end of May - beginning of June.

Early varieties

To obtain an early harvest, early ripening varieties are used. Their average ripening period is 60-70 days, but the ultra-early ones are harvested after 35-50.

Varieties have proven themselves well Red Scarlett, Kamensky, Elizaveta, Gala, Timo.

Important! When choosing a potato variety, be sure to take into account its adaptability to the conditions of a particular region of the country.

In the southern regions, to obtain the first harvest, early ripening varieties are planted in late March - April. In the central regions, the period shifts to the warm end of April - beginning of May.

Late varieties

Late varieties vegetate for more than four months, and the tuber is formed in 110-115 days. They are more in demand on farms, as they show high yields and are stored for a long time.

Most Popular: Belorussky-3, Synthesis, Atlant, Zarnitsa, Picasso.

In the south of the country, late potatoes are planted in the first ten days of April. In the middle zone, the period falls on the first days of May.

How to choose a location and prepare the soil for planting

Choose a site for potatoes that is well-lit and protected from weathering. The soil is preferably loose and light; sandy loam, loam and forest soils are suitable.

Attention! You cannot cultivate a vegetable in one place for several years in a row. Pathogens and pests remain in the beds and will certainly cause damage to the plants.

Crop rotation is more effective and beneficial for the crop than the annual application of organic matter and mineral fertilizers. The best predecessors are cabbage, onions, legumes, cucumbers and corn. Potatoes show good results on virgin lands.

The beds for planting are prepared in the fall. At the beginning of October, the ground is plowed or dug up to a loose state and fertilizers are applied. Plowing is done without moldboard, no more than 30-35 cm in depth. This prevents mixing of the upper humus layer with the lower podzolic layer.

Before winter, filling with fresh manure works well; in the spring, only rotted manure is used. As a preventive measure against the Colorado potato beetle per 1 sq. m scatter a few pinches of ash and urea.

Each type of land requires certain preparation:

1. Clay and heavy soil is loosened with sand, rotted straw, lime, and turf soil.
2. Sandy soil is enriched with peat, well-rotted organic matter and fast-acting mineral compounds.
3. Clay flour, sand and compost are added to peat swamp areas for structuring.
4. Compost, peat, and some mineral compounds are added to sandstones.
5. Acidic soils neutralized with ash or lime in an amount of 1-2 kg per 1 sq. m.
6. For loams and medium soils, a bucket of manure and compost per bed is enough.

At what temperature do potatoes grow?

Planting potatoes begins when the soil warms up to +9°C at 8-12 cm in depth. Ideal conditions for growth are air temperature +15...+22°C, humidity 75-80%.

Many gardeners are afraid of late frosts. But in most cases, damaged shoots are restored due to the underground part, and the top dry layer of soil does not have time to freeze.

How to plant potatoes correctly to get a good harvest

Selection and pre-planting of potatoes is one of the key factors in ensuring increased yield. For seed material, select healthy tubers without damage measuring 5-6 cm and weighing 50-80 g.

Germination accelerates the emergence of seedlings. There are several ways:

1. The tubers are kept in the light for 2-3 weeks at a temperature of +12…+15°C.
2. In a damp substrate (peat, sawdust) with a layer thickness of 5-7 cm for 20 days.
3. In plastic bags of 12 pcs. in everyone. Make several holes and hang them near a shaded window or fence for three weeks.
4. In a greenhouse, potatoes are laid out on a thick layer of hay and covered with film with air holes on the sides for 12-15 days.

Potato consumption per acre depends on the method and density of planting. The optimal amount is considered to be 25-30 kg, the minimum - 20 kg. With an average tuber weight of 50 g per hundred square meters, about 500 tubers (25 kg) are needed. Holes are made every 30 cm. Planting density depends on the size of the tubers.

Important! The strongest bushes grow from tubers, which by the time of planting have also developed root rudiments.

Manually

Gardeners traditionally plant potatoes by hand, using gardening tools and simple equipment. The method is chosen taking into account the condition of the ground, groundwater level and the size of the site.

Planting with a shovel

Planting with a shovel is the basic “old-fashioned” option, but most justified on light soils with low water levels.

Future beds are marked using pegs and twine. In a pre-dug area, holes 6-10 cm deep are made every 27-30 cm and the tubers are laid out. A handful of humus or compost is thrown on top and covered with earth. Row spacing is 65-70 cm.

Planting in ridges

The principle of the method in replacing holes with shallow grooves:

1. A rope stretched along the site marks the direction of the furrows. Grooves are formed into which the tubers are laid out at a certain interval.
2. Use a rake to fill the soil back on both sides.
3. Retreat 60-70 cm and repeat the actions.

This method is also used for double rows. The distance between adjacent ridges is 20-30 cm, and the row spacing is increased to 90-110 cm.

Important! For clayey, moist soils, these two methods are not suitable. There is a high probability of sprouts rotting and fusarium.

Trench beds

The trench planting method is believed to help increase the yield and fertility of the site. In hot climates, the tubers and soil in such beds do not dry out. On sandy soils, potatoes will receive more moisture.

Trenches for next year have been prepared since the fall:

1. Mark the location of the rows and dig trenches on the bayonet of the shovel. The earth is laid on one side.
2. The bottom is covered with plant debris, fallen leaves and sprinkled with earth.
3. In the spring, a little soil from the top of the ridges is again added to the trench, dusted with ash, potatoes are laid out and covered with earth.
4. As sprouts appear, the plantings are earthed up.

Landing on ridges

In areas with coarse clay soil, where there is constant moisture due to a high groundwater level, the ridge method is very effective and therefore preferable.

Operating procedure:

1. In autumn or spring, the area is plowed with a motor cultivator, and mineral fertilizers are applied at the same time.
2. Ridges are formed 13-15 cm high and 50 cm wide with a row spacing of 60-70 cm.
3. Holes are made in the middle of the elevation and the tubers are planted.

The larger the tubers, the deeper they are planted.

Using a walk-behind tractor

Using a walk-behind tractor for planting potatoes makes the process easier. This method is used on all types of soils. It is divided into several ways.

Under the plow

Planting potatoes is carried out by two people. One person makes a straight furrow with a walk-behind tractor so that the plow goes to the depth of a bayonet shovel. The second one follows and lays the tubers at a distance of 25-30 cm. On the way back, another row is made, and the previous one is covered with earth from the plowed furrow.

Using a hiller

First, furrows are cut and the potatoes are laid out. On the walk-behind tractor, replace the lugs with regular rubber ones and attach the hiller. When passing through the rows again, he covers them with earth and compacts them with plates.

Potato planter

This method requires the purchase of a mounted potato planters. It pays off for large-scale sowings and significantly speeds up work. In one pass, the device makes furrows, lowers the tuber into the ground, and the disc hiller fills the hole. The wheels are fitted with lugs.

How to sow potatoes

Growing potatoes from seeds is a labor-intensive process.Potatoes for food will only be available in two years.

Planting material is correctly collected and prepared:

1. In August, large berries are cut from the bush.
2. Wrap it in gauze or a fabric bag and leave it to ripen on the windowsill.
3. When the berries become soft, remove all the seeds.
4. Wash, dry and send in a bag in a dark place until spring.

In early March, the seeds are soaked on a thick, damp cloth until the sprouts hatch. Pour universal soil into a container for seedlings in a layer of 5-7 cm and seal the seeds. Moisten well with a spray bottle, cover with film and place in a lighted place.

When 1-2 true leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings are planted in cups. When transplanting, feed with liquid organo-mineral fertilizer for seedlings (“Biohumus”, “Ideal”, “Krepysh”). Seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed. The holes are made 10 cm deep, and 200 g of humus is added to each hole.

The first time you will get small tubers weighing 10-50 g. In the next 2-4 years they will produce elite potatoes with high quality indicators.

How to care for planted potatoes

After planting, potato care is aimed at creating optimal conditions for growth and controlling pests.

Loosening

At the end of the work, the first thing to do is loosen the trampled earth. At the same time, the first weeds are destroyed and soil aeration is improved. Before the first shoots, they harrow a week after planting. To avoid accidentally touching the tubers, the tool is held diagonally to the beds.

Frost protection

Even at the end of May frosts sometimes occur. Before the expected drop in temperature, 3-5 cm of soil is raked up for the seedlings.If this is not done, the tubers will not freeze and will sprout new shoots, but the yield will decrease slightly.

Hilling

Hilling - a mandatory step in caring for vegetables. Wet soil is raked from the edge of the row to the center of the bush.

Hilling solves several problems:

• protects against frost;
• stimulates the growth and formation of tubers;
• the soil is additionally loosened with the accompanying destruction of weeds;
• simplifies harvesting.

The first time they are spudded when the shoots are 5-10 cm high. They are repeated again before the buds open and again during flowering.

Watering

Newly planted beds are watered if the soil is very dry. When the sprouts reach 10-12 cm, they begin water warm water from the tank at the rate of 3-4 liters into the center of the bush. During the period of tuber formation, the consumption is increased to 20 liters per bush.

Potato feeding

Potatoes are responsive to the application of organic matter and mineral fertilizers. When the first shoots appear, prepare a solution of 30 g of urea and 10 liters of water. 0.5 liters of liquid is poured into the center of each bush. Bird droppings also stimulate vegetation well. It is diluted to a mushy state, then 0.5 liters of the substance are dissolved in 10 liters of water. About 400-500 g of organic matter is consumed per plant.

Pest Control

The larvae of the Colorado potato beetle are simply destroyed along with the leaf. Adult insects are collected by hand or the bushes are sprayed with a suitable insecticide.

The most popular drugs among vegetable growers: “Colorado”, “Aktara”, “Confidor Extra”, “Karate”. If signs of damage to the tops are detected, prompt treatment with the chemical is carried out according to the instructions. After 10-14 days, repeat to consolidate the result.

Conclusion

The method of planting potatoes directly affects the yield.Each method is aimed at providing comfortable conditions for the development and growth of the plant. Preplanting preparation accelerates the ripening of tuber crops. Mature bushes require periodic moderate watering, fertilizing and protection from pests.