Potato growing methods that will increase your yield.
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Perhaps, potatoes are the only vegetable grown by absolutely all summer residents. Without potatoes, no one is likely to imagine their life. At any celebration, potato dishes take center stage on the table. And how many different methods summer residents come up with for growing potatoes. By far the most entertaining ideas come from solving a particular problem. For example, at the beginning of the season you had to plant potatoes on virgin soil and at the same time collect a good harvest, or you got little space in your summer cottage, but you want to get as much harvest as possible right away. Or, the main reason for the way potatoes are grown is a steady desire to make garden work easier.
Potato growing methods: in a pit
Summer residents have long been growing potatoes in trenches, if you have a very small area, this method shows good results. It is believed that, on average, the yield of potatoes after growing in such trenches is 2 times higher than with classical technology. But it is worth noting: this is a rather laborious method, therefore, this method has not received widespread distribution. Usually potatoes are planted in the spring, but preparatory work with the trench in this case begins in the fall. For the entire length of the trench, gardeners tear off a bed with a depth of 40 to 50 cm.Then it is filled with mixtures of humus, peat, etc. And in this way they throw a trench until spring, when the warm rays of the Sun appear, the trench is covered with black film material so that the earth warms up better. If you need to plant a lot, then dig several trenches. The distance between them should be up to 70 centimeters. Potato tubers are planted in the garden when the air temperature reaches high levels. From above, the potatoes are covered with soil and again covered with foil. When the first shoots appear on the surface of the soil, slots are made in the covering material for the shoots. This will keep you hydrated and free from weeds. Of course, the film material may not be used, but primitively poured earth into the trench. However, remember: if your site has a high level of groundwater, then this method will not work for you, because at the same time there is a high possibility of rot formation on the potatoes, and therefore death.
Potato growing methods: in boxes
And on scanty soils, you can raise an excellent harvest of potatoes. To do this, it is planted in large beds, building boxes up to 30 cm high and up to one meter wide. The length of these very boxes depends on how large you want to make the beds. The bottom of the boxes is filled with tops, small twigs, and fertile soil is poured over the top. Then the potatoes are planted at a distance of about 30 cm and covered with a layer of soil. As the seedlings begin to appear and grow, you will need to add soil. It will also save you unnecessary hilling and weeding. However, the most significant disadvantage of this method is that in order to put together these very boxes, you will need a lot of energy. In addition, you will need to find suitable materials.
All under the straw
This old method of growing potatoes is considered the most proven. And now these plantings have regained popularity among summer residents. Moreover, it is possible to plant potatoes under straw without working out the soil, and even on uncultivated lands.Potato tubers are laid out in small furrows or in holes, and then covered with a layer of straw 25 cm high. As soon as the shoots appear and the shoots grow, the straw is increased. Such a kind of compost also does not allow weeds to germinate, and the structure of the soil is significantly improved. But remember: mice appear in the straw very often, so they can eat your entire crop. Another disadvantage of this method is that during the dry period, the straw does not retain water well enough.
We plant in a cone
Another interesting option for growing potatoes is planting around the perimeter of the cone. And they plant in this way. In the area where you plan to plant potatoes, mark a circle with a diameter of about 2 meters. After the tubers, the potatoes are spread around the perimeter of the circle at a distance of 15 or 25 centimeters from each other, after that, when the first shoots are outlined, the soil is gradually raked to the middle, creating a small hillock. At the top, over time, a small depression is formed for watering. This method is only good for small areas if the use of mechanization is not possible.
Under the film
The essence of growing potatoes under a film is as follows. In the potato growing area, spread a large dark film and strengthen it around the perimeter. Then, cuts are made in the film in rows or in another order convenient for you. The tubers are planted in these very small holes that you dig at the points of the incisions. After that, you will not need not to weed, loosen, or water the potatoes. The only thing that needs to be done on time is to process potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle. Disadvantages of this method: if the summer is dry, then the root system of the potato will overheat, and if it is rainy, on the contrary, the root system will rot.
Potato growing methods: in bags
If you have very little space in your country house, and there is nothing to cover the beds with, then you can plant potatoes in ordinary bags or other containers. The necessary container is filled with fertile air soil, slots are made and potatoes are planted. The care of these plantings is traditional, they are moistened, fed, treated from pests. Remember: the container must be large so that your potatoes are not cramped in it.
Potatoes in the pit
This method is very similar to the above. However, instead of containers or bags, in this case, they dig a large hole. Moreover, its depth should be at least 50 centimeters. A layer of compost, fertilizer is poured into it, and then the potatoes are laid out and covered with the next layer. Then they cover it with earth. But if the groundwater in your area is shallow, then your potatoes will rot. These potato planting options are most effective only in small areas; on an industrial scale, hardly any of these will work for you. Grow potatoes correctly and do not waste a lot of time and energy on it!