Content
Potatoes are a permanent representative of crops that summer residents add to the list of annual plantings. One of the issues that worries potato growers is the depth of planting potatoes.
After all, this parameter is very important. Many gardeners consider it a good protection for tubers from frost. But how does depth affect the germination and yield of potatoes? Do I need to take into account the composition of the soil? How to plant potatoes correctly, taking into account all the nuances? Do varietal characteristics depend on the depth of planting of tubers? All these questions are very important, especially for beginning potato growers.
In our article we will try to cover the above topics.
What is important to consider when planting potatoes
Of course, the composition of the soil and the region in which the crop is grown. Potatoes are planted from the end of March to May, depending on climatic conditions. The further south the area, the earlier planting begins. In the northern regions, work should begin in May.
Tuber planting depth
The depth of planting potatoes is an important factor on which many plant growth indicators depend:
- will there be enough moisture;
- is there enough heat for development;
- Will it be possible to ensure soil aeration?
The planting depth is determined depending on the type of soil and the size of the seed material. Small tubers should not be buried deeply.
There are deep, medium and shallow depths for planting potatoes.
- Deep. This is considered to be a planting in which the tubers are placed 10 cm or more into the ground. As a result, the plants are well formed, but harvesting will be more difficult. Therefore, it is well suited for sandy loam soils and arid areas. Also used in growing technologies without hilling bushes.
- Average. With this type of planting, the tubers are buried 5-10 cm. It is good to maintain this parameter on loams and heavy soils.
- Small. Planting parameters – from 5 to 7 cm. Recommended for clay soils and small seed material.
There is another interesting planting technology in which the tubers are placed on top of loosened soil and covered with mulch on top. The best options for shelter are:
- rotted sawdust with sand;
- a mixture of humus and straw;
- compost;
- peat.
To improve potato nutrition, mineral components (fertilizers) are added to the mulch. This method is especially good for use on clay soils. To protect the tubers from greening, mulch is added again when the plants are about 25 cm high.
When choosing the depth at which potatoes will be planted, you should take into account earth warming temperature. In early spring, when it is not yet sufficiently warmed up, planting is done to a depth of no more than 5-6 cm. If planting dates are strictly observed, the tubers are buried 6-8 cm into the ground.And if you slightly moved the date to a later time, then the earth is already quite warm and dry, well ventilated, so a depth of 10 cm will be the most suitable. On sandy soils this figure can be easily increased to 12 cm.
Based on the above, you can determine the spread in terms of potato planting depth from 5 cm to 12 cm. The main thing is not to forget to maintain the same depth of tubers throughout the entire area allocated for potatoes.
The ratio of tuber sizes and planting depth can also be determined:
- Non-standard and small ones have a small reserve of strength, so they are planted to a depth of at least 6 cm and no more than 12 cm. When planting potatoes in ridges, the minimum depth is 8-9 cm.
- Large potatoes are supplied with a sufficient supply of nutrients. Therefore, they develop faster and can easily overcome a planting depth of 10 to 12 cm. For Dutch varieties, a planting depth in beds of 20 cm is acceptable, but local varieties are not ready for such a load.
- If you plant potatoes in parts, be sure to ensure that there are sprouts on each section. This technology requires deepening only to a shallow depth to prevent rotting of the planting material.
How to plant seed correctly
What does right mean? This concept includes not only the timing and depth, but also the potato planting pattern. There are several types that are successfully used by potato growers. In this case, planting density is maintained depending on the composition of the soil.
- Potatoes of early varieties are planted more densely and on fertile soils. This option works well for small or cut potatoes.
- Low-fertilized and poor soils require less frequent planting of potatoes. This scheme is also used for large tubers.
It is very important what distance between rows will be maintained when planting potatoes.
Basic landing options
On the ridge
A common method since ancient times. The arrangement of tubers is 70x30. With this method, they dig up a selected part of the site, mark even furrows with a cord and lay them with a depth of 5-10 cm. Humus (0.5 shovels) and wood ash (1 tablespoon) are added to the furrow. The dose is repeated every 30 cm of furrow. Place potatoes on top and cover with soil. It is better to do this on both sides to get an “M” shaped comb. The height of the ridge is 9-10 cm, the width is about 22 cm.
This option requires one-time hilling of potatoes during growth with simultaneous weeding weed. The final height of the ridge is 30 cm. It protects the potatoes from drying out during dry periods and from accumulating moisture during rains.
Advantages of the technology:
- early planting is possible;
- good warming of the ridge under the sun;
- rapid pace of cultural development;
- formation of powerful and healthy bushes;
- ease of harvesting;
- increase in yield by 20%.
Under the shovel
The most common and simplest method of planting potatoes.
The depth of the furrows made on the ground is 5 cm. The arrangement of the rows is at least 70 cm from each other, and the distance between the tubers is 30 cm. But look at the number of sprouts. The more there are, the longer the distance between tubers needs to be maintained.
It will be optimal to plant potatoes when the temperature on the soil surface reaches 8°C, then you can be sure that at a depth of 30 cm it has already completely thawed. If you skip this period, the moisture useful for potatoes will disappear and the yield will noticeably decrease.It should be noted that the disadvantage of this method is the dependence of the condition of the tubers on weather conditions. Even at such a shallow depth, it is possible for the potatoes to become waterlogged. This threatens the death of roots at the beginning of the season and a decrease in the quality of storage after harvesting. And during the growth period, plants are susceptible to fusarium (in warm and humid conditions) and rhizoctonia (cool late summer).
In the trenches
It is good to plant potatoes using this method in arid regions.
Trenches are prepared in the fall by digging them to a depth of 25-30 cm and filling them with organic matter. Use the mixture:
- manure;
- compost;
- ash;
- wet hay
A distance of 70 cm is maintained between the trenches. In spring, the depth of the trench will be 5 cm after the humus settles. Potato tubers are placed in a trench at a distance of 30 cm from each other, sprinkled with soil. Potatoes do not require additional nutrition when planting in trenches. It was introduced in the fall in sufficient quantities. In addition, organic matter provides heating for the tubers. The trenches are lightly covered with soil and a layer of mulch is added to retain moisture. The thickness of the mulch layer is maintained at no more than 6 cm. As the bushes grow, it can be added. The disadvantages of this method are:
- Over-watering of potatoes during periods of heavy rainfall. To avoid this, in regions with high humidity, grooves are laid along the edge of the ridges to ensure water drainage. The depth of such grooves is from 10 to 15 cm.
- Labor intensity. Setting up a trench requires significant labor and a large amount of compost and mulch.
Organic in a container
For this method it is necessary to create stationary container beds. The height of the structure is about 30 cm and the width is 1 meter. The lengthwise arrangement must be observed from north to south.The walls of the container are made of logs, bricks, slate, and boards. Between the containers there are passages from 50 to 90 cm, which must be mulched (sand, sawdust). Fill the container with organic matter:
- the bottom layer is plant residues;
- the next one is manure or compost;
- the upper one is soil from the passages.
The number of rows of potatoes in one container is no more than two. Tubers are planted in a checkerboard pattern with an interval of 30 cm. Advantages:
- Plants receive enough light. Each row is located on the edge of the container. This leads to increased productivity.
- Decorative plantings.
- Duration of operation of beds. After harvesting the potatoes, the container is sown with green manure, and before winter it is filled with organic matter.
- Preservation of nutritional components. They are protected by the walls of the container from being washed out.
- Ergonomics and aesthetics. Caring for the ridges is simple and convenient. No hilling or digging required. Enough loosening. The plants do not get sick and the tubers are very clean after harvesting and are well stored.
- Possibility of early boarding.
Conclusion
Many gardeners choose to plant potatoes under non-woven materials, in barrels and other unusual methods. In any case, you need to maintain the recommended planting depth parameters depending on the potato variety, soil composition and climatic conditions.
The harvest will definitely justify all the effort expended.
