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Siberia is a northern region with a rather difficult climate. Everything is possible here: sudden spring or autumn frosts, intense heat in July, heavy rains in August - and this is not the entire list of weather surprises in this region. This Siberian climate seems very harsh to many vegetable crops. But this is not a reason not to plant anything. It’s just that for growing in such difficult climatic conditions, it is necessary to select more resistant varieties that can withstand such a climate. In this article we will look at potatoes, or, more precisely, the best potato varieties for Siberia.
Dates for planting potatoes in Siberia
Siberia occupies a fairly vast area: it makes up about 57% of the territory of all of Russia. All of Siberia can be conditionally divided into Western and Eastern regions. The climatic conditions in them differ slightly, and, therefore, the timing of planting potatoes also differs.
The eastern regions are distinguished by their harsh, long winters and short but very hot summers. It is in these regions that the weather is capricious: frosts, uneven precipitation, most of which falls in late summer or early autumn.Taking into account all these factors, the planting time for potatoes in this region begins in mid-May, when the weather stabilizes a little.
But the western regions were a little luckier. Their climate is a little milder, so you can plant potatoes in Western Siberia as early as early May.
According to these folk guidelines, you can plant potatoes only after the first buds begin to bloom on the birch tree.
Potato varieties for Siberia
Despite such a harsh climate, quite a few varieties of potatoes can be grown in Siberia. The State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation allows for the planting of 53 different potato varieties in the Siberian climate. In addition to these varieties of Russian selection, some Dutch, Ukrainian and German varieties can also be planted in the climatic conditions of Siberia. Below we will describe the best of them, grouping them by:
- popularity;
- productivity.
Most Popular
For several years now, these varieties have held leading positions in cultivation in the vast expanses of Siberia.
Adretta
This German potato variety is perfect for growing in our Siberia. It has an average ripening period, so it makes no sense to dig up potatoes before 60 days. Adretta potato bushes are more compact than the varieties of our selection, but it is still not worth planting them often.
This table variety with smooth yellow tubers has earned its popularity due to its excellent taste.Small potatoes with an average weight of 100–150 grams are perfect for boiling and frying. Their light yellow flesh holds its shape perfectly, and the starch content in it does not exceed 17%.
But Adretta is famous not only for its taste. Its bushes and root crops are not at all afraid of potato cancer and stem nematode. In addition, they are not susceptible to late blight.
Alyona
Potatoes of this variety will ripen quite early - within 70–75 days from the moment of emergence. Alena's potato bushes are quite spreading, so when planting you should stick to the 60x35 cm pattern.
Potatoes of the Alena variety have a smooth red surface with small eyes. She's not very big. Most often, its weight will be no more than 150 grams. It has good product and taste qualities. The white pulp of this variety contains 15–17% starch. Alena is perfect not only for frying and making purees, but also for making French fries.
This potato variety is distinguished by its high and stable yield. In addition, it is immune to the most common potato diseases and has excellent drought tolerance. It is also important that Alena potatoes can be harvested mechanically, which means they are suitable for growing on an industrial scale.
Zhukovsky early
This early ripening table variety can be started to dig up on the 50th day from the emergence of shoots. It has quite large, highly branched bushes. Smooth surface Zhukovsky potatoes early ones can be colored pink or red. The weight characteristics of the variety will be between 122 and 167 grams.
Many gardeners fell in love Zhukovsky early potatoes thanks to its white flesh, which does not darken after cutting. The starch content in it will be from 10 to 15%. The excellent taste and commercial qualities of potatoes of this variety are complemented by good resistance to potato cancer and nematodes.
Luck
This early variety of table potatoes has earned its popularity due to its excellent taste. Its tubers, which can be dug up after 55 days from the first shoots, have thin and very smooth skin. On its light beige, rounded surface, small and sparse eyes will be visible. The weight parameters of the potatoes will be 100–130 grams. The starch in the white pulp of Udachi will not exceed 15%.
The Udacha potato is extremely resistant to drought, so it is often used for growing over large areas. In addition, the variety has good resistance to viruses and late blight, but can be attacked by common scab.
The most productive
In the harsh weather conditions of Siberia, not many varieties can boast of high yields, even if they are built into them at the selection level. Below we will look at 5 varieties whose yields are not afraid even of the harsh Siberian climate.
Impala
This Dutch potato variety in the vastness of Siberia shows simply incredible results: up to 360 centners per hectare of land. The first harvest of tubers under the tall and dense bushes of Impala will ripen within a month and a half from the moment of planting.
Like all early varieties, Impala cannot boast of large tuber size. Their weight will be between 80 and 150 grams. But this does not in any way affect its taste and commercial qualities. The surface of Impala potatoes is smooth and yellow. Small eyes are visible on it, and light yellow flesh is hidden underneath.Starch in the pulp will be about 15%.
Impala is one of those varieties that are resistant to all types of nematodes. But at the same time it can be affected by late blight and rhizoctonia.
Lugovskoy
Lugovsky variety of table potatoes is the pearl of Ukrainian breeding. It is actively grown throughout Russia, including Siberia.
The first harvest of Lugovsky potatoes can be harvested after 75 days from germination. Its tubers are not so large in size, and their weight will be about 85–125 grams. Lugovsky's peel is smooth to the touch. There are small eyes on its light pink surface.
The white flesh of these small potatoes has a high starch content - about 19%. The taste and consumer characteristics of this variety are excellent. In addition to standard blackleg resistance, scab and potato cancer, Lugovskoy is resistant to late blight. But it can give in to some viruses.
Lyubava
When grown in the climatic conditions of Siberia, the Lyubava potato variety shows almost record yield values. When grown on an industrial scale, this variety will bring from 288 to 400 centners per hectare of land.
Lyubava potatoes can be classified as early ripening varieties, fruiting of which occurs in 65–70 days. The tubers of this variety have a rather rough red skin, on which eyes of medium depth are visible. The weight of one potato will be 109–210 grams.
Lyubava potatoes have good taste and very high shelf life. The starch content of its pulp will be between 11 and 17%.
Scarlet
An early-ripening table potato variety that performs well when grown in Siberia. When planting in May, you can dig it up at the end of June - beginning of July.
Tubers of the Scarlet variety have smooth red skin with small eyes. The average weight of potatoes will be 80–150 grams. Scarlet's flesh is yellowish in color. Starch in it is at an average level, not exceeding 15%.
Scarlet has good resistance to potato blight and tuber blight.
Timo
Finnish high-yielding potato variety with early ripening periods - from 60 to 70 days. With early harvesting potatoes Timo you can get up to 240 centners per hectare, and in the late season even more - about 320.
Timo has small, neat, rounded tubers. Most often, their weight does not exceed 100 grams, but you can also come across potatoes weighing 120 grams. On Timo's smooth skin, eyes of medium depth are clearly visible. The skin itself, as well as the pulp hidden behind it, are light yellow in color. The starch content of Timo pulp will be around 12–14%.
The sustainability of this potato varieties to diseases is not as good as its taste. Timo will not get potato cancer, but he can easily catch late blight and scab.
All varieties considered show excellent results when planted in this climatically difficult region.But when growing them, it is worth remembering that planting potatoes in Siberia differs from planting in more favorable areas. Therefore, before disembarking, we recommend that you watch the video:
In addition, reviews of people who have already planted it can help in choosing a potato variety for Siberia. We will present some of them below.
