Content
It is necessary to plant potatoes in the Leningrad region taking into account regional characteristics. It is in the northwestern region that climate disasters most often occur: air temperatures change sharply. Such jumps will lead to loss of harvest if you do not know the nuances of planting.
When to plant potatoes in the Leningrad region
The optimal time to start work is the first weeks of May, when birch buds begin to bloom. It is necessary that the soil has time to warm up to a depth of 10 cm.
The air temperature should not be lower than +8-12 °C
Planting potatoes in the Leningrad region in 2024 according to the lunar calendar
Experts are confident that you can achieve success in cultivating vegetables if you adhere to the lunar calendar. During the new moon and full moon, it is best to postpone all work on planting potatoes in the Leningrad region. But periods of growth or decline are the optimal time for active action.
At the same time, when the night light begins to decline, it is recommended not only to plant tubers, but also to hill up and feed the plant.
Growing potatoes in the Leningrad region
To get a good harvest, it is not enough to place the tuber in the ground and water it periodically. It is necessary to take into account the composition of the soil, climate and quality of the potatoes. Depending on these factors, you can choose the optimal planting method.
Soil preparation
When working with potatoes in the Leningrad region, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules when choosing a place and soil for the beds:
- the area should be well illuminated by sunlight throughout the day;
- the plot is flat, without slopes or lowlands;
- the soil is loose, fertile, rich in nutrients;
- the soil is loamy or sandy loam soil.
One of the mandatory stages of working with soil is digging the soil to the depth of a spade bayonet in spring or autumn
Preparing tubers for planting
If you immediately place potatoes in the holes without pre-treatment, you will have to wait a very long time for germination. It is recommended to purchase seed material a month before the start of work.
Potatoes need to be inspected, specimens with cracks or mold or signs of rot must be removed. Optimal tubers for planting in the Leningrad region should be clean, medium in size, and without signs of disease.
Potatoes definitely need to be sprouted. To do this, put them in a box in one layer and hide them in a place where sunlight does not reach.The room temperature should be +13-16 °C during the day and at least +10 °C at night.
Germination usually lasts for 3-4 weeks
Scheme of planting potatoes in the Leningrad region
The choice of method depends not only on the gardener’s decision, but also on the composition of the soil. If the soil is light and sandy, then it is recommended to plant potatoes “under a shovel”. If the site has a heavy clay soil mixture, then it is best to use the Dutch method: place the tubers in ridges.
Planting depth is one of the important indicators, which is influenced by the type of soil and the size of the seed. Most often, this figure is 8-12 cm. If you place potatoes too close to the surface, they will turn green.
It is necessary to maintain both the distance between potatoes and between rows. This will allow the crop to receive sufficient nutrients. The optimal distance between rows is 70-80 cm. The distance between small tubers should be 20-22 cm, medium ones 25-27 cm, and large ones 30-33 cm.
The most popular planting method is “under the shovel”. The technology is simple: make a hole, put fertilizer in it if this was not done during digging, and then place potato tubers there with the sprouts facing up. Cover the material with soil and level the soil.
A significant disadvantage of the “under the shovel” method is the difficulties when caring for shrubs
There is another way to get the harvest.For this, gardeners in the Leningrad region use Dutch planting technology.
Work algorithm:
- Make furrows up to 15 cm deep, maintaining a distance of 75-80 cm.
- Place the tubers in the ridges with the sprouts facing up. During planting, there should be a distance of 30 cm between the potatoes. The material should be placed at the highest point of the ridge to a depth of 15 cm.
- The furrows must be planted one at a time.
- Cover the potatoes with soil.
When planting potatoes in the Leningrad region in ridges, the crop will receive all the necessary substances, enough light and air
Growing potatoes in a greenhouse
This method is suitable for gardeners who want to get the most abundant harvest in the shortest possible time.
In the Leningrad region, potatoes should be planted in April. The technology for placing tubers in the ground remains the same. Care is no different from usual.
The advantages of planting potatoes in a greenhouse are the absence of pests and the ability to create the necessary microclimate.
To further reduce the time required to grow crops, gardeners do not neglect seedlings. To do this, 3-4 weeks before planting, the sprouted tubers are placed in peat pots with soil.
Care after landing
One of the important stages of agricultural technology when growing potatoes is hilling. This procedure reduces the risk of tubers becoming green. After hilling, the root system will become more powerful, and the bushes themselves will be stronger. As a result of such care, potatoes are not afraid of temperature changes and drafts. Hilling is also a good way to destroy weeds.
Stages of work:
- The first hilling should be carried out 2-3 weeks after planting. The plant must reach a height of at least 10 cm. It is necessary to cover the bushes with soil, leaving 2-3 cm from the top.
- If the soil is clayey and heavy, then 2-3 weeks after the first. The tops should be at least 12-15 cm in height. No more than 5 cm of sprouts should protrude above the ground.
- When the bushes reach 30 cm in height, a third hilling is necessary. You need to fill the plant in such a way that shoots up to 30 cm long protrude above the ground.
The Leningrad region is characterized by a rainy climate, so watering potatoes after planting should be done only during the hot period. The plant needs water during the flowering period.
Conclusion
You can plant potatoes in the Leningrad region both in open ground and in a greenhouse. Gardeners get an excellent harvest if they provide the crop with proper care. When planting potatoes, regional climatic conditions and soil composition should be taken into account.
