Methods and methods of growing potatoes
 potato growing

At all times, the cultivation of crops was one of the most important branches of any state. Therefore, the process of growing potatoes is given great importance. Quality depends on this, which includes taste, the content of nutrients and vitamins, the shelf life.

Growing potatoes: ways

Potatoes in bags, crates or barrels

The method of growing potatoes in bags or barrels used in areas with limited space. Such containers help to save space, and at the same time get a pretty good harvest. This requires a barrel, box or bag without a bottom.

The technology is pretty simple:

  • Previously, the bottom of the tank is removed, and holes are made on the sides for the passage of oxygen.
  • Capacity without bottom is put on the ground. Then go to the bottom of the tank compost 20 cm thick.
  • Tubers fall on the compost and are covered with fertile soil.
  • After the potato has sprouted and the length of the shoots has reached 5 centimeters, they need to be filled almost completely with a layer of soil. This should be done until the container is full. In this interval, we should not forget about watering and dressing.

In the same way you can grow potatoes in barrows, tower, trash bin and pit.

New method: under agrofibre or cardboard

Agrofibre helps to get an early harvest of potatoes in May. For this, the plot (it is possible and small - in the country) under the potato is cooked in the fall, they dig up and bring organic and mineral fertilizers.

In early spring, waiting for the top layer of soil to warm up. At this point, you can make the planting of tubers.

 Under the agrofiber
Under the agrofiber

For so that the potatoes were early, the tubers are germinated in advance.

  • To do this, they are placed in 2 - 3 layers in a cool room at a temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius. Excess temperature threatens to a strong stretching of the shoots, which will affect the decrease in yield.
  • The appearance of sprouts in 1 - 2 centimeters will allow to shorten the time for obtaining new potatoes.
  • Germinated tubers soott 25 centimeters apart, and 50 -60 centimeters between the rows.

You can also place the tubers not only in a row, but also in a checkerboard pattern. This allows the bushes to grow better, as they do not obscure and do not interfere with each other. Then we cover with agrofibre or a cardboard.

Agrofibre passes moisture and air well, and in a cardboard it is necessary to make openings for ventilation.Agrofibre and cardboard help survive the shoots of frost, and when the threat passes them, covering material can be removed. In this way, you can get a healthy and tasty young crop.

In the ridges

The meaning of this method of cultivation is very simple.

When grown in crests, potato bushes are spuded with a layer of soil, and the more, the better. Thus, there are places for the root system to grow and develop well.

In this case, much more tubers are formed. Productivity increases. This method is widespread in the Netherlands and is called the Dutch method.

On high ridges

The meaning of this method of growing similar to the method of growing in barrels, bags, boxes and crests. Since the volume of soil for the root system of potatoes is more than usual, it begins to grow well. Thus, abundant tuber buildup occurs.

When laying high ridges on the bottom go humus or foliage, as well as dry branches of trees. In the process of decomposition of these materials, they will release heat and nutrients. If you cover the ridge, you can also get an early harvest.

 On the ridges
On the ridges

By mitlider

The meaning of growing according to Mitlayder is to create long and narrow beds for plants. In this case, a rather large space for culture is created.

Plants get the maximum amount of sunlight, and, accordingly, emit more nutrients for themselves through the process of photosynthesis. therefore plant root system develops well, and in this case, the potato grows larger tubers. And their number increases.

 By mitlider
By mitlider

Under the straw

Cultivation of potatoes under straw significantly reduces labor costs. This is one of the main advantages of this method. Potatoes can be planted either in the wells, or without holes, on a flat surface.

For this you need so that the soil was loose and wet enough:

  • Tubers are stacked in the hole, or just on the soil, in rows, or in a checkerboard pattern.
  • Then the tubers are covered with a thick layer of straw or hay. Thickness is about 7-10 centimeters. The straw well passes air to tubers, and also well passes moisture. Therefore, this material helps to grow well and develop both the root system and the bush itself.
  • Over time, a layer of straw will settle.Therefore it is necessary to add a layer of straw.

In the same way is grown potatoes under moss. The effect is the same. Good air permeability, moisture. In addition, the moss not only passes moisture well, but also holds it. This is one of the advantages of this method of cultivation.

From seed

The meaning of growing from seed is that over time, planting material loses its original performance and brings less and less yield each year.

Besides planting material is able to accumulate disease. But if you grow potatoes from seed, it will help return the potatoes to their former harvest. Seeds are collected from the fruit, which remains after flowering bush.

Sowing is done in advance so that when the soil is warmed, the seedlings are ready for planting. Care is the same as for ordinary bushes.

An important point in the harvest of such potatoes. You need to choose bushes with the best tubers. Thus, you can provide yourself with a constant rich and tasty harvest.

 Potato seeds
Seeds help avoid diseases transmitted with planting material.

Under the film

This method is similar to growing under agrofibre, only the film does not allow air and moisture, only saves. But this promotes early harvest. As soon as the soil is warmed, germinated potato tubers are planted in the soil, and covered with a film on top.

The film allows you to transfer frosts, as well as provides moisture culture for a long time. This allows you to get not only an early harvest, but also its increase due to the creation of a longer growing season.

 Potatoes under the film
Potatoes under the film

According to the method of Gulich: in kobtsah

The essence of the Gulich method (cultivation of potatoes in kobtsahs): one square meter is allocated for each tuber. In this square is laid out around the quail manure. The soil is poured into a circle, and a tuber is planted in the top of the soil. Shoots will grow in different directions, in the form of rays.

When the length of the shoots reaches 5-8 cm, sprinkle them with soil. And this must be done until the potatoes form several tiers. In the process of growth do not forget about the timely watering and fertilizing.

Thus, using this method, you can get up to 16 kilograms of a crop from a single tuber.

According to the method of Mikhailov

The meaning of this method is the same as that of Gulich. A hole is made into which the humus is placed. Then the tuber sits and is covered with a layer of soil.When the tuber shoots, 4 of them are left to grow vertically, and the rest are tied to pegs and placed in the form of rays in a circle.

 The result of cultivation by the method of Mikhailov
The result of cultivation by the method of Mikhailov

As the shoots growboth vertical and horizontal sprinkled with soil. Productivity increases markedly. With proper compliance, you can get from 14 to 16 kilograms.

Table 1. Ways to grow potatoes.

Traditional ways In the ridges (Dutch method)
New ways On high beds

under agrofibre or cardboard

Unusual ways Gulich method (in kobtsah)

according to the method of Mikhailov

by mittleider

Cultivation methods for small areas In a barrel

under the film

in the mounds

in the tower

In the box

litter basket or mat

in the pit

in the straw

under the moss

in bag

young from the box

in the box

from seeds

Preparation and germination of tubers before planting

How to choose planting material

The variety that will be cultivated on the field should be zonedThis will allow you to be confident in the adaptability of the potato to these growing conditions. It is important to know the maturation information in order to ensure proper care.

Important aspects when choosing potato planting material are morphological features. Color, taste, smell, shape must match the grade and be free from damage. Tuber weight for planting 50 - 100 grams.

Soil preparation

The soil should be plowed in autumn, this will accumulate moisture. The soil composition of the soil is desirable loam containing humus. If the soil is solid, then it needs to be pierced and added organic.

Distance between tubers at planting

If planting potatoes is trench, then the distance between rows is 60 - 70 cm. The distance between tubers is 30 - 40 cm. When planting potatoes in holes, the distance does not change.

Timing and depth of landing

The term of planting potatoes depends on the temperature of the soil. Its temperature should be at least 5 degrees Celsius. Planting depth is about 10 cm.

Watering

Irrigation carried out of necessity. If during the summer there was a sufficient amount of precipitation, and the soil most of the time was wet, then watering is not required.

 Watering
Try not to overflow the soil during watering.

In the dry summer and spring, the main irrigation is carried out in the period of germination, growth and flowering of the shoots.If August is dry, watering is also necessary.

Hilling

The most important role of hilling is to reduce the temperature around the tubers. The tuber should be in the space where the temperature is a few degrees lower than the stem. If hilling does not occur, the tuber begins to re-germinate, consuming energy and nutrients intended for the development of the plant.

One of the advantages of hilling: it contributes to the development of the root system and an increase in the area of ​​plant nutrition, due to which the potato tubers become larger.

Spud need to soil in cloudy weather, after rain to avoid evaporation of moisture. Hilling is also carried out on compacted soils where gas exchange is poorly performed.

 Hilling
Hilling is a useful and necessary procedure for good growth of tubers.

Fertilizer

Exist complex mineral fertilizerswhich follow to bring along with the landing. Mineral fertilizers increase germination, disease resistance and increase yield.

Bring, as a rule, potash, phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, the number and frequency of application is determined by the composition of the soil and the needs of the crop.Better in the spring to fertilize directly into the hole. As a feed you can use ash.

Organic fertilizer always favorably affect the yield. Horse manure is the most useful and high-quality version of organic fertilizers.

Mulching

Mulching is always necessary, it increases the content of organic matter, and consequently nutrients, retains soil moisture. Plant residues are always best suited for mulching at any time.

Same mulching is done with straw and sawdust, but this option is suitable only if the soil is well heated, and in the yard on June 15. In spring, straw and sawdust do not mulch, they reflect the sun's rays, preventing the soil from warming. Sawdust acidifies the soil.

 Straw Mulching Example
Straw Mulching Example

Diseases and pests of potatoes

The extermination of diseases and pests by chemical means is carried out if the economic threshold of harmfulness is exceeded. The main pest is Colorado beetle. If there is not a lot of it, then you can collect manually, the most important is to destroy the larvae.

Wireworm harms potato tubers, when ammonia fertilizers are applied, its population decreases.

Potato is often affected different types of nematode. To fight the nematode there are no safe chemicals. It is recommended to change the soil, if possible.

If cultivation in large areas, then urea must be added to the soil, and then the infusion of potato young residues. This process is carried out in early spring, so that the nematode larvae, having felt the potato food, can go out and die from the lack of food.

For prevention make bird droppings in the soil.

Cleaning

When harvesting, it is important to select seed material for further cultivation.

Start harvesting potatoes recommended during yellowing tops. If you start harvesting earlier, the potatoes will be worse stored.

When harvesting it is important not to damage the tubers. Damage will entail the development of pathogenic microorganisms. If such potatoes fall into the total yield, the adjacent tubers will be affected.
 Harvesting potatoes
Harvesting potatoes

Potatoes are one of the main products of traditional cuisine.Culture does not require special care. It is important to know only certain subtleties. And with the help of the methods and methods described above, you can simply grow abundant and healthy harvest High Quality.