Content
Potatoes belong to the category of common agricultural crops, so every gardener grows them. But the size of a personal plot does not always allow one to obtain a sufficient number of tubers. In this case, gardeners resort to unusual methods, one of them is growing potatoes in a barrel. For the idea to be successful, it is necessary to study in advance the features of planting and further care of the crop when using this method.
Growing potatoes in barrels guarantees an early harvest
Why plant potatoes in a barrel?
This method of planting primarily makes it possible to save space on the site. After all, the barrel replaces a 2 square meter bed. m. Moreover, it can be placed in any place, even where there is no fertile layer of soil, the main thing is that the plants are evenly illuminated.
Planting potatoes in a barrel makes it possible to get a harvest much earlier than when grown in open ground. This is due to the fact that the substrate in the container warms up much faster, and also remains loose and breathable throughout the season.In addition, the yield of potato bushes when grown in a barrel is much higher than when grown in the traditional way. This is explained by the significant growth of the root system of the crop under favorable conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The method of growing potatoes in a barrel has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with them in advance in order to avoid problems later.
Potatoes in barrels are not affected by late blight, regardless of weather conditions
The main advantages of this growing method:
- saving space;
- increasing productivity;
- early ripening of tubers;
- reduction of labor costs;
- the soil can be reused;
- landing is possible much earlier than usual;
- the possibility of placing the barrel in any illuminated place;
- saving fertilizers;
- plants are better provided with heat and light;
- increased crop resistance to diseases.
Flaws:
- it is necessary to purchase a sufficient number of containers;
- the need to fill barrels with nutrient soil;
- regular watering throughout the season;
- cannot completely replace the traditional one.
Growing potatoes in a barrel step by step
To successfully grow potatoes in a barrel, you need to properly prepare the container, soil and tubers. It is also necessary to plant and provide further care, taking into account the specifics of the method. Only if all recommendations are followed will the end result exceed all expectations.
Barrel selection and preparation
You can plant potatoes in any barrel with a volume of at least 7 liters and a height of more than 50 cm.It can also be grown in sugar bags, old tires and wooden tubs or boxes of suitable size, in mesh structures, the walls of which are lined with straw.
Before planting, you need to remove the bottom of the container or bag to allow excess water to drain freely. It is also necessary to make holes with a diameter of about 1 cm in the side walls for access of oxygen to the roots of the plant during the growing process, which will ensure the full development of the underground part. It is recommended to do them at a distance of 15 cm from each other.
And to make watering easier in the future, you need to install a vertical perforated hose or plastic pipe with holes in the barrel, the upper part of which should be brought out.
The barrel for growing potatoes must be stable
Soil preparation
In order for potatoes to produce a good harvest using this growing method, it is necessary to prepare nutritious soil. It is recommended to do this in the fall or at least three weeks before planting. The best option may be a soil mixture consisting of turf and humus in equal volumes.
It is also additionally recommended to add Em-Bokashi microbiological fertilizer to the substrate for growing potatoes in a barrel at the rate of 100 g per 10 liters of soil. After this, mix thoroughly, cover with dark agrofibre and leave for 20 days.
Tuber preparation
The yield of potatoes grown in barrels and other containers directly depends on the quality of the planting material and its preparation.Therefore, it is necessary to select medium-sized tubers of regular shape with a sufficient number of eyes. They should not have damage or signs of disease.
Planting material must be brought into the room in a warm place a month in advance and the temperature must be maintained within +12-15 °C. It is recommended to soak the tubers for 45 minutes in a special solution. To prepare it, you need to use 40 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium sulfide, 2 g of boric acid, 5 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water. After soaking, it is recommended to spread the planting material in one layer on a flat surface for uniform emergence of sprouts.
Pre-germination of tubers increases yield by 30-50%
How to plant potatoes in a barrel
Potatoes belong to the category of light-loving crops, so when growing them in a barrel, the container must be installed in such a way as to ensure good illumination throughout the day. The best option may be the southern and southwestern sides of the site. When planting potatoes in a barrel, you must initially fill the container to ½ height with a nutrient substrate and moisten it well. After the water is absorbed, you need to spread the sprouted tubers at a distance of 20 cm from each other. And then sprinkle them with a 10 cm thick layer of nutrient substrate and level the surface.
As soon as the shoots appear and the sprouts reach a height of 3-4 cm, the substrate must be added to the container again. Its layer should be 10 cm. It is recommended to repeat the procedure several times as the above-ground part of the potato grows. You can sprinkle the crop when planting in the first ten days of May to mid-June.This procedure ensures the growth of the plant’s root system, which is the key to a good harvest.
Care after landing
This growing method greatly simplifies the care of the crop. Indeed, in this case, the bushes completely fill the space in the container, which prevents the growth of weeds. In this case, weeding is not required. It is enough only to periodically loosen the top layer of soil at an early stage of crop development, if the need arises.
You can install barrels along buildings and fences if they do not create shade for potatoes
This growing method requires regular watering. After all, the moisture in the barrel will quickly evaporate, since it is constantly in the sun. Therefore, potatoes need to be watered more often than with the traditional growing method. To do this, it is recommended to use settled water at the rate of 3 liters for each bush.
To obtain a high yield, potatoes grown in a barrel must be fed three times a season. The first time to use chicken manure 1:15 or mullein 1:10 at the stage of first emergence. This stimulates the active growth of green mass. The second and third feedings are recommended during the formation of buds and after flowering. During these periods, it is recommended to use 40 g of superphosphate and 25 g of potassium sulfide per 10 liters of water. Potato bushes grown in a barrel should be watered with a nutrient solution at the rate of 1 liter per plant.Fertilizing should be done the next day after moistening, so as not to burn the roots of the plant.
Cleaning
Harvesting of crops grown in a barrel can be done as soon as the tops begin to turn sharply yellow. This sign indicates that the skin of the tubers has already become coarse, which means that the collected fruits are suitable for long-term storage. To collect, simply turn the barrel over and shake out the substrate along with the harvest. After this, all that remains is to collect the tubers, dry them for a month in a dark room, and then transfer them to the basement for long-term storage.
Harvesting should be done in the morning in dry, clear weather.
Conclusion
Growing potatoes in a barrel allows you to get a good harvest even in areas not intended for sowing. To achieve maximum productivity when using this method, it is necessary to follow the rules for preparing the container, substrate and planting tubers. It is also recommended to consider the care instructions as it has some important features.
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