Content
Potatoes can be grown in a greenhouse provided that a stable temperature is maintained in the range of 18-23 degrees, as well as lighting. This method is quite labor-intensive, but it allows you to get a harvest all year round. It also has its own characteristics that should be taken into account when planning planting.
Is it possible to grow potatoes in a greenhouse?
Growing potatoes in a greenhouse is possible if suitable conditions are provided:
- air temperature not lower than +15;
- temperature of the surface layer of soil is not lower than +5;
- regular hydration;
- stable illumination (daylight duration is at least 14 hours).
Planting is planned for August and March. This allows you to harvest in two waves - by the New Year and in early summer. At the same time, potato yields in a greenhouse are usually higher than in open ground. Thanks to the observance of temperature conditions, humidity levels, regular watering and fertilizing from 1 m2 You can remove up to 50 kg of tubers.
Features of growing potatoes in a greenhouse
Growing potatoes in a greenhouse allows you to get a harvest almost all year round. On the other hand, this is a labor-intensive method that can only be used if there is a well-heated room.
Advantages
Winter cultivation of potatoes has several advantages:
- obtaining a harvest even in winter, early spring and early summer;
- ease of care, planting and harvesting treatments;
- higher yield compared to traditional open ground cultivation;
- possibility of growing in several tiers using several wooden pallets.
Flaws
There are also disadvantages, and they are quite noticeable:
- the greenhouse must maintain a constant positive temperature;
- additional lighting will be needed;
- heating is required;
- potatoes in a greenhouse require regular watering and fertilizing;
- Not all varieties can be cultivated.
In greenhouse conditions, the crop can be grown all year round
Which varieties are best to plant?
For planting potatoes in a greenhouse, you should choose only early and extra-early varieties. Middle and especially late ones are not suitable - their growing season is too long. Therefore, it is best to choose from these varieties:
- Priekulsky early;
- Kharkov early;
- Luck;
- Spark.
Greenhouse requirements
To plant potatoes in a greenhouse in winter, you must take into account certain requirements for the room. Since they plan to grow it in the cold season, it must be insulated, without cracks. The door and windows must open freely. Minimum height – 2 m. Additional lighting can be installed.
It is also necessary to install electrical wiring in the greenhouse to connect heating devices, phytolamps or other lamps.As for the material, there are different options to choose from:
- Glass construction is the most reliable. This is a permanent greenhouse that allows you to maintain the desired temperature and provides good access to light from all sides. But it costs more than the others, and construction is also labor-intensive.
- Proper planting and care of potatoes can be organized in a polycarbonate greenhouse. This is also quite expensive, but durable design, popular among summer residents and farmers. It is quite simple to install, it ensures complete tightness, so if heating is available, it is also suitable for growing potatoes in winter.
- In regions with relatively mild winters, plants can also be cultivated in film greenhouses and greenhouses. These are the cheapest designs, but they are not suitable for harsh winters.
In what month are potatoes planted in a greenhouse?
To grow potatoes in a greenhouse, you can choose two main planting dates:
- To get the winter harvest in December, on New Year's Eve, work begins at the end of August.
- If it is necessary to collect tubers at the beginning of summer, planting potatoes in a greenhouse is planned for the end of February - the beginning of March.
The first method is convenient because the soil is warm and does not need to be preheated. However, daylight hours are gradually decreasing, so in October additional lighting with phytolamps will be needed.
Planting potatoes in a greenhouse in early spring is bad because the soil must first be thoroughly warmed - the room is first heated for 5-6 days. On the other hand, there will already be enough light. Additional lighting may be needed only in the first month of cultivation.
Planting begins at the end of August and beginning of March.
How to grow potatoes in a greenhouse
The rules for growing potatoes in a greenhouse are not fundamentally different from agricultural technology in open ground, but there are several features related to heating and lighting. Practical tips and instructions are described below.
Soil preparation
It is better to start preparing the soil in advance - 1.5-2 months before planting. It is cleaned, dug up and compost or humus is added - up to 10 kg per 1 m2. If there is too much clay in the soil, it is heavy, it is recommended to cover the same area with sand or sawdust in an amount of 3-5 kg. For disinfection, you can pour a weak solution of potassium permanganate. But after this it is advisable to apply “Rizotorfin” or another bacterial fertilizer.
Preparation of seed material
To grow potatoes in a greenhouse, it is necessary to select larger tubers than for planting in open ground. Potatoes weighing 80-100 g are suitable. They are selected and prepared 4-5 weeks before planting. The main stages are:
- Dig up and rinse thoroughly under running water.
- Reject the sick ones and place them in one row under the light in the room.
- Turn regularly to ensure even greening. Thanks to this, the toxic substance solanine will appear in the tissues, which will protect the potatoes in the greenhouse from such dangerous pests as mole crickets and rodents.
- 40 days before planting, germination begins. The tubers are placed in boxes in two layers and periodically sprayed with water.
- After the sprouts appear, transfer to a lighted but cool place (12-16 degrees) and turn over regularly.
- When the sprouts reach 1 cm, wet sawdust or soil with peat (1:1) is placed on the bottom of the boxes. Continue to periodically moisten with a spray bottle.
- When the sprouts appear en masse and are of sufficient length, you can begin planting.
Planting scheme
Since there is much less space in the greenhouse than in an open area, planting is planned according to a truncated pattern. An interval of 25-30 cm should be left between the bushes, and 60-65 cm between the rows. All tubers are placed in rows parallel to each other.
Bushes grow well at room temperature
There is another planting scheme, when the distance between the rows is 80 cm, and between the holes is also 25-30 cm. But they are planted in a checkerboard pattern. This is a more thoughtful method, especially if the greenhouse has drip irrigation. The ribbons are laid along the center of the bed and used to irrigate two rows at a time.
Scheme of planting potatoes in a greenhouse in a checkerboard pattern
As for the depth of the holes, it should be small - only 6-7 cm. To successfully grow potatoes in a greenhouse, you can put compost or humus, as well as a little wood ash, on the bottom.
When planting, only whole tubers are used. Even if there are few of them, you should not cut them in half in order to increase the amount of planting material. Otherwise, the fresh smell of the pulp will attract rodents and insects. Because of this, you can lose part of the harvest.
Further care
One of the most important rules for caring for potatoes in a greenhouse is creating a normal temperature regime. Minimum requirements: 15-17 degrees Celsius. If possible, it is better to maintain a room temperature of 18-20 degrees. When the plants begin to produce buds and flowers, it is increased to 22-23, and after falling off it is again lowered to 18-20 ° C.
On the eve of budding, potatoes are hilled up in the greenhouse or a layer of mulch made from dry hay, straw, and sawdust is laid out.Watering is given as needed - once a week is enough. The first time water is given after the mass emergence of seedlings. Then continue on a weekly basis, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.
To get a good harvest, potatoes must be fed. It is best to use 1:10 mullein or 1:15 chicken manure. Watering is given at the root, spending 1 liter on each bush. Complex mineral compositions can also be used.
Conclusion
Potatoes can be grown in a greenhouse in different regions. One of the most important conditions is to maintain a stable positive temperature in the room, as well as regularly add additional lighting to the plantings. Agricultural technology is not simple, but the yield is stable and high.
