Traditionally, farmers have planted potatoes in the hole, but at the moment another method of planting potatoes is gaining popularity. This - planting tubers in the ridges. And this method has not just become so popular. The fact is that potatoes can be planted with this method much earlier than in the wells, since there is no need to wait until the earth warms up, because only the top layer of sod is used. As well as the combs quickly warm in the sun, which improves the harvest.
Table of contents
Planting potatoes in combs by hand
This method is very good in that it facilitates the procedure of landing manually. Land can be prepared immediately before the procedure. Fill the ashes to the next bed and carefully dig up so that the fertilizer mixes evenly.
Combs must be located at a distance 40 centimeters. Thus, on a bed of 120 cm fit three rows. They are a long mound of land, in which you want to put the tubers of potatoes, placing them at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other.
If weeds can simply be pulled out, then the situation with pests is more complicated. If there are pests on your site, such as a catfish and a wireworm, then it is necessary to pour it along with the fertilizer on the garden bed and poison for pests and dig it up.
Proper cutting before planting
When the ground is fertilized and there are no weeds, it is necessary to cut the crests Location on. This is easy to do with an ordinary hoe.
On the loosened earth, make furrows, placing them at a distance of 40-50 cm. They will be paths between the ridges. Then form a mound in such a way that the ridges rise above the ground.
The higher the ridge, the better. It is not necessary to dig up the track, thereby forming it. It is necessary to scrape the top layer into the embankment, as it is already heated and suitable for planting tubers.
Tuber preparation
Tubers, before planting this method, it is necessary carefully select. Potatoes should be without cracks and medium size.
The ideal, for planting ridge method, is potato the size of a chicken egg. Tubers should be left in a dark place so they sprouted a little. Strongly germinated tubers are not suitable for planting by this method.
How to plant potatoes
Planting potatoes in the ridges is divided into several stages:
- Soil preparation and fertilizer.
- Preparation of tubers.
- The formation of the ridges.
- Planting potatoes.
When the bed is already formed, you can proceed directly to the landing. To do this, on the top of the ridge it is necessary to lay the tubers at a distance of 30-35 cm apart and sprinkle with earth using hands. If the ground is dry, then you can water after the procedure.
Care
Caring for garden beds should be carried out in the same way as with the usual method, i.e. tear out weeds and loosen. And also, when shoots appear (20-25 days after planting) at 7-10 centimeters, the beds must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, taking 2 grams of the substance per bucket. At the same time, you can fertilize the ridges with any liquid fertilizer.
In dry weather, ridges must be watered. Basically, they are watered once a month in moderate weather and twice per month with arid.
And also, as soon as sprouts of potatoes appear, it is necessary to loosen the beds and sprinkle them with earth with the help of chopper. After the rain, they must be restored with a hoe, returning them to their original appearance.
Harvesting
Harvest must be collected in the spring (end of August - beginning of September), previously removing the tops from the beds 2 weeks before harvest. This will help ripen tubers.
Harvested potatoes need to be stored before storage. dry and get rid of lumps of earth. Keep the crop should be in a dark and cool place. Traditionally, potatoes are stored in the cellar.
After harvesting, care must be taken to fertilize the land for the coming year. So, between the crests, grass and leaves are laid. And also often needles are laid on them. During the winter the grass rot, thus fertilizing the ground.
Landing on the Dutch technology
This method gives a richer crop than the traditional. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that after planting the potatoes are removed from the ridges when it has sprouted and re-selected.
The first planting for the germination of tubers held very thick. Potatoes must be planted very close to each other.
Sprouted potatoes taken and re-planted in the ridges, having the tubers at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other, sprinkling with earth. Combs must be up to 30 cm high.
Pros and cons of the method
The method of landing in the ridges has both its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- High yield, compared with the traditional method of planting tubers.
- The land is less depleted, since every year you can alternate between the location of ridges and tracks.
- Combs are well warmed, thereby improving yields.
- This method makes it possible for oxygen to penetrate to the root system, thus development goes faster.
- There is no need to pile up the beds often.
- With a large amount of precipitation, the roots of potatoes do not rot, as excess moisture rolls along the ridge, and with a lack of moisture, the ridges restrain the necessary amount of water for the development of the root system.
- Thanks to the ridges in winter, snow retention is improved, which in spring gives a good soil moisture.
Disadvantages:
- Accelerated drying of the soil, which leads to a constant watering and considerable expenditure on water.
- Not suitable for light soils., as in windy weather, they crumble, exposing the tuber. Such land quickly becomes poorer and requires constant feeding in the form of fertilizer. Loose land quickly gives rise to weeds and pests, which affects the yield of potatoes.
Is it possible to plant not manually
So, with the help of a motorblock form crests. To do this, the walker must go through the beds, where the wheels pass, paths are formed, and between them directly the ridges themselves. Potatoes, after this method of forming ridges, planted manually.
After planting potatoes, the beds are again walked by a walk-behind tractor, for the tubs to fall asleep with earth.
And also often used hiller, because planting with this unit is less costly and easy.
The package of equipment includes items such as:
- Burs - for the formation of furrows;
- Conveyor - to feed tubers;
- Distributor - forms a time period for serving potatoes;
- Hiller - for sleep tubers land.
Basically, auxiliary equipment is used for a large area.
This method of planting potatoes has become very popular due to its simplicity and ease. Many farmers have long used the Dutch method, mainly to increase the yield. Of course, as in any method, it has its pros and cons.But he has much more advantages than disadvantages.