favorite plant of many gardeners. New methods of cultivation can simplify the work of a gardener and not lose in the crop. Modern potato cultivation technology is more like art that is not difficult to master. So, let's talk about potatoes, planting and caring for them in the open field. Preparatory work before planting potatoes
It would seem that a gardener does not know how to grow potatoes? But it turns out that in order to get good yields it is not enough to bury the potatoes in the ground, you need to learn some more rules for caring for the plant. The yield will depend on the quality of the tubers, the variety and the preparation of the soil and planting material. So, you need to spend some additional procedures before planting:
- Before planting potatoes, planting material is useful to disinfect.
- Preparatory work is being carried out on the plot for potatoes.
- For more active growth of roots and sprouts all over the potato, additional cuts are made.
Disinfection and recharge .Potato tubers are disinfected with potassium permanganate, boric acid or garlic extract. This can serve as a stimulator of growth of healthy shoots, and protect the plant in the future from pests. How to do it better? One of two ways: soaking( 2 hours will be enough) or spraying.
Spraying potatoes is done only when the sprouts have not yet appeared on the tubers!
You can purchase special solutions in the store, but you can also make them yourself. Here are a few recipes:
- take 10 grams of boric acid, 50 grams of urea and superphosphate, 1 gram of potassium permanganate and 5 grams of copper sulphate;
- 10 liters of water mixed with crushed kilogram of garlic( this solution is suitable for both spraying and soaking);
- half gram of potassium permanganate mixed with 5 grams of copper sulphate and 15 grams of boric acid. All this pour water( 10 liters).
Soil preparation .The main requirements for the quality of the soil on the site where potatoes will grow are breathability and friability. Before planting potatoes, the land is cultivated twice:
- In the autumn, digging a vegetable garden with the introduction of rotted manure into the soil.
- In the spring, putting a mixture of peat and sand into the soil at the rate of 10 kg per 1 square meter.m.
Tuber incisions .There are several types of cuts:
- Transverse. Deep incision, not cutting only 1-1.5 cm to the end of the tuber.
- In diameter. This type of incision is also called stimulating, it can be both diagonally and vertically. Shallow, only 0.5-1 cm.
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Thanks to these cuts, those sprouts that usually “sleep” begin to actively develop. It will be enough for a month to keep the incised potatoes at a temperature of 16-18 degrees so that strong, evenly developed roots and sprouts appear on it.
Ways of planting potatoes
There are several ways of planting potatoes:
Trench .This method is great for a warm climate, provided that the soil is light, sandy, and does not hold moisture. In this case, it will be right to dig up the trenches under the potato, 10-15 cm deep, the distance between which is 70 cm. The tubers are laid out according to their size: large every 40 cm, small - 30-35.
Sometimes, for this type of planting, summer residents prepare small ditches in advance, starting in the fall( this method excludes autumn digging of the ground).Having dug up the trenches to a depth of 5–10 cm, they make a kind of “pillow” of organic matter: straw or other plant residues with rotted manure, and all this is covered with earth. In spring, potatoes can be planted earlier than usual, because decaying organic matter will warm the soil faster.
Smooth. For this type of planting, it is only necessary to raise the layer of earth, put the tuber of potatoes upwards, and sprinkle with soil. This simple method is a great solution for well-lit areas without stagnant water. Peculiar "holes" are made at a distance of 60-70 cm to a depth of half a spade of a shovel. Landing is made in two rows, in a checkerboard pattern. This will facilitate inter-row processing of potatoes in the future, when sprouts appear.
The ridge .If the soil on the site is “heavy”, wet, this method is suitable. At a distance of 70 cm from each other, ridges 10–15 cm high are made, and potato tubers are planted in them at a distance of 30 cm. This helps excess moisture erode faster.
Basic rules for planting potatoes:
- Traditionally, it is customary to plant potatoes in early May.
- The site should be sunny, without stagnant water.
- The direction of the landing ridges is from the north, to the south;This will give the opportunity to evenly illuminate and warm up the rows with potatoes.
The method and pattern of planting is chosen based on the specific conditions under which the plant comfortably grows and bears fruit. Then it is much more convenient to take care of planting, and more significant results are obtained.
Proper care for potatoes after planting
Potato sprouts, according to the rules, produce healthier sprouts. But it is not excluded that the plant needs further care. Caring for potatoes after planting involves several steps:
- watering;
- hilling;
- fertilizer;
- protection.
Read also: Growing and caring for carrots in open ground
Watering
Watering is one of the important factors affecting the yield of potatoes. If summer is not dry, then it is enough to spend 3 irrigation. But this must be done correctly and on time. There is no need to water immediately after planting, as the ground still contains spring moisture. But when the tops begin to grow actively, and this is half a month after the emergence of shoots, the plant badly needs additional moisture.
The potato flowering process shows that the formation of tubers has begun, which means that it is time to water again. The third watering will depend on how much the soil has dried. If it is hard, it does not warm up well in the hand, and at a depth of 6 centimeters or more is dry, then it needs to be moistened. The next day or every other day, depending on the drying out of the soil, it is necessary to loosen the earth. Or it is possible to decompose mulch on wet soil, which also contributes to the preservation of moisture in the soil.
What to choose? Sprinkling method or drip irrigation? Many gardeners see the advantage of each type of watering. For example, if there is an opportunity to install sprinklers for a day or more, it would seem to replace a little rain, when not only the soil is moistened, but it also washes away dust from the leaves and stalks. When drip irrigation more water goes under the bush.
Hilling
Inter-row processing of potatoes is very important. It can protect young seedlings from possible frosts, remove weeds, ensure the accumulation of moisture and air flow to the roots, and stimulate the growth of green mass and roots. 
It turns out that hilling is an important part of caring for a plant, as yield directly depends on it. The first loosening between the rows can be carried out immediately, as young shoots of potatoes appear. In the future, you need to produce hilling every time after rain or watering, and before flowering.
There are several methods of earthing up - mechanized: with a walk-behind tractor, and manual: with a chopper, hiller, ploskorezom.
Fertilizer
Potato responds well to mixed feed, both organic and mineral fertilizers. You can even plant potatoes by adding ash or nitrophoska( 1 tbsp. L per well).
Potatoes recommended for the season to feed three times. In this case, the first time this is done when the tops are still young and developing. To do this, in a bucket of water( 10 l) divorced 1st.urea. Or make a semi-liquid mullein. On the bush at least 0.5 liters of any of the solutions. Fertilize only after rain or watering.
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The second mandatory dressing in time of budding is designed to accelerate the flowering process. To do this, a bucket of water needs 3 tbsp.spoons of ash and 1 tbsp.spoons of potassium sulfate.
Superphosphate in granules is perfect for feeding potatoes during flowering. Thanks to this fertilizer, a good root system is developed, the formation of tubers is accelerated( a glass of semi-liquid mullein and 2 tbsp of superphosphate are needed for 10 liters of water).
Protection
Ash not only fertilizes, but also perfectly protects potato bushes from rotting in wet weather. Therefore, it is not only possible to water the plants with a solution with ashes, but also to publish the tops with it. The same method helps to fight the most important enemy of the potato - the Colorado potato beetle.
Onion peel is widely used from natural products. It can be added to the wells when planting potatoes, and to mumul the plantings with it, sprinkling around the plants. Planting potatoes in or around legumes, calendula or mustard, will help protect the roots from the wireworm.
From late blight garlic helps infusion.200 g of garlic crushed to mush, add a little water and let it brew for 2 days. Then mix this infusion with 10 liters of water and you can process the plants. This should be done 2-3 times with an interval of 10 days.
There are other means to protect potatoes from diseases and pests. For example, the mechanical collection of the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae, or chemicals.
Harvesting
Probably the most pleasant thing is to see the fruits of their own labor. Here and the harvest of potatoes is more than an objective assessment, it is an opportunity to learn the lessons that will be useful for the next planting of potatoes.
Tips for growing potatoes in open ground
- Only healthy tubers are selected for planting.
- At least 10 days before planting, planting material is transferred to a warm place.
- It is imperative to plant potatoes in heated soil of 8˚ or more.
- Watering should be done only in the evening, so that the moisture on the leaves can dry out in the morning.
- Loosening the soil after watering should be done as early as possible.
- Breaking a stalk from the ground at a distance of 15 cm is a method that allows the leaves to not develop after flowering. Then the potato bush focuses all its strength on the roots.
- Watering stops 3-4 weeks before harvest.
How to plant potatoes properly, watch the video.
Planting potatoes without arable method - video
