Potato planting dates in the suburbs

Vegetables have long been an integral part of the human diet. Many farmers do not understand the peculiarities of root crop cultivation in their climatic zone; therefore, they often encounter problems at all stages of cultivation. How is the correct planting of potatoes in the suburbs? Let’s analyze the most important points, without which it is difficult to get a plentiful harvest.

Select a site

A potato is a light-loving culture that is sensitive to When choosing a place of growth, they prefer well-lit areas that are not fenced with fences and trees. Loamy and loamy soil is suitable for cultivation, which will allow root crops to grow without problems. Dense clay soils are made loose using sand.

First Agricultural work does not begin in spring, but in autumn. If you take care at the end of the previous season, then during the winter the plot will be restored and will be suitable for planting potatoes. After harvesting, the earth is dug up, plant residues are removed and fertilized with a mixture of:

• humus;
• compost;
• wood ash.

In spring, the soil is loosened with a shovel or pitchfork, without turning over lumps.Root crops need abundant nutrition, so the site is fed with mineral or organic means. Experienced farmers advise digging at least two to three weeks before planting.

Seeds

The Moscow Region is part of the problem farming area, which is not always characterized by warm, dry summers. For the climate of the Middle Strip, the abundance of cold rainy days at the most important stages of the development of root crops is usual. To protect the crop, it is worth carefully considering the choice of variety for planting.

1. Yubilee Zhukova. A prolific, bedridden plant whose tubers are highly immune to cancer and late blight. It develops well at low temperatures.
2. Son. Despite the long maturity (over 2.5 months), the culture is not demanding on care and development conditions. The main advantage of the variety is the absence of degeneration during many years of cultivation in one site.
3. Cast iron. The time-tested variety is ideally adapted to the climate of the Moscow region. Strong resistance to “potato” diseases and insects (bears, Colorado potato beetle).

Tubers selected for planting are planted green under the diffused light of the sun. Inside the root crops, a special toxic substance is formed, which creates a natural defense during storage. Thirty days before planting in the ground, potatoes are sorted and germinated. Immediately before agricultural work is treated with protectants.

How to plant

To get a plentiful harvest, you need to properly dig the tubers into the ground. Each gardener has his own time-tested method, but it is not always suitable for the suburbs. Now there are many technologies that can correct soil imperfections.

Fertilize the soil

Combs

The Dutch method involves planting potatoes on special hills from the ground. The soil is treated with a tractor, after which embankments are formed, the height of which is about fifteen centimeters. Ridge planting is relevant for areas with clay soils and closely spaced groundwater. Root crops receive enough heat and oxygen, which protects against decay and prevents stagnation of the liquid.

The technology facilitates manual labor, therefore it is popular among domestic farmers. Potatoes are laid on the hills, after which ridges are poured on top. According to the Dutch method, root crops are arranged according to the scheme (in cm):

• the distance between tubers is 30;
• the distance between the beds is 75;
• the height of the final crest – 35.

The downside of the technology is the quick drying of the soil, which in hot periods can lead to overheating of plants. In this case, we recommend increasing the frequency of irrigation or in the hottest hours pulling a light fabric over the landing.If the soil crumbles a lot, then the rows can be fixed with boards.

Trenches

Many gardeners prefer to plant potatoes in the suburbs in small ditches. The technology allows you to save moisture necessary for the normal development of plants. The land is cultivated in the same way as with the ridge method, but root crops are deepened in ditches according to the scheme (in cm):

• the distance between potatoes is 30;
• the distance between the rows is 70 ;
• depth – 11.

By the way, the technology is dangerous in areas with closely lying groundwater. In wet, cool summers, planting easily affects fungi and root rot. Choosing a landing in the trenches, you will have to carefully prepare the seed and spend more time on care (mulching, loosening).

Smooth landing

The classic “shovel” method does not lose its relevance for many years, however, due to the complexity of the farmers prefer not to get involved. Two people participate in the work: one digs holes, and the second puts the tubers in the pits. Seed material is placed in the ground according to the pattern (in cm):

• distance between potatoes – 35;
• space between rows – 65;
• depth – 12 .

To keep the plantation level, gardeners mark the plot with a rope. The technology will be relevant for loose, water-intensive soil. By the way, so that the plants do not interfere with each other, they are planted in a checkerboard pattern.

Box landing

Time-consuming preparatory work will pay off with minimal plant care during the growing season. It is enough to spend time creating boxes, after which they will last more than one year. To grow the crop, they build box-beds according to the scheme (in cm):

• height – 25;
• width – up to 120;
• length – optional .

We keep the distance between the potatoes

Tanks are filled with a mixture of soil with organic matter, after which they give several weeks for planting. On the surface of the earth, grooves or holes are made where root crops are laid. We recommend placing the seed in a checkerboard pattern, at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other.

The collected box beds are used in areas with adverse conditions. Such a construction will last more than one year, it is enough to add a nutrient mixture every season. In autumn, the box is sown with siderat plants, and then left to winter.

Planting for the lazy

You can plant potatoes without digging the site. Recently growing root crops under the straw is becoming more and more popular. The plantation area is cleared of weeds, leveled and covered with dry hay. In the “ground” make holes in which the seed material is placed. Often, plant residues from the garden are used as planting stock.

The technique is not suitable for those who cannot constantly monitor changes in the plantation. Straw does not absorb moisture well, so more frequent irrigation is required. During the sultry summer, mice that quickly destroy root crops can settle in the bed. The plus of the technology is a plentiful harvest with minimal care.

Winter planting

Recently, compatriots in the Moscow Region planted potatoes in early autumn. It is noted that winter culture grows stronger and pleases farmers with a plentiful harvest. However, not every tuber can withstand periods of little snow, so correction of the usual methods is necessary.

In milder winters, there is no prolonged freezing of the soil. Winter planting tubers will not encounter such a problem as lack of moisture

For the winter, it is better to plant potatoes in trenches or “under the shovel”. Ridge technology does not protect root crops from seasonal changes: hills quickly collapse under the influence of wind, and low temperatures instantly destroy raw materials. After the seeds are buried, it is necessary to thoroughly mulch the soil. The thicker the insulation layer, the safer the wintering.

Planting dates

Whatever technology is chosen for growing potatoes, it is worth remembering the recommended dates of agricultural work. The fact is that early or late planting in the ground is equally dangerous.If root vegetables are buried in an insufficiently warmed up soil, then they will disappear from excess fluid and cold. Late planting will deprive the seeds of good moisture, which activates the formation of the root system and tops.

Bury in the warm earth

Recommended time

For the Moscow Region, preparatory work begins in the twentieth of March. During this period, they begin to germinate at a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees. After the shoots have appeared, the seed is transferred to a cool room for hardening.

At the end of April, many gardeners try to plant early varieties of culture. In the middle zone, return frosts are possible, therefore it is better to transfer them to the traditional dates. Domestic farmers are accustomed to planting on May holidays, but professionals advise choosing the period from 8 to 17 of the last spring month.

Folk omens

In ancient times, people had no predictions meteorologists, therefore, had to rely on the experience of their ancestors. There are signs that allow you to quickly determine the appropriate time for planting root crops. What is worth paying attention to?

1. Leaves on a birch. If the greens blossomed and reached the size of a penny coin, then the sun had already managed to warm the soil.
2. Dandelion buds.As soon as the plant throws out the buds, it is allowed to dig in the potatoes.
3. Bird cherry blossomed. If the land is warmed up on the site, then flowers open on the tree.

In order for the culture to develop without problems, it is important to choose the day of planting according to the lunar calendar. It is forbidden to plant root crops during the full moon, new moon: plants do not adapt well and always get sick. During agrarian operations, root formation is activated in the decreasing month, and leaf tops are activated in the growing month.

Things to remember

Crop rotation rules are important requirements without which it will not be possible to grow healthy plant. Domestic gardeners often make a common mistake and plant potatoes on the same site for several seasons in a row. Microorganisms and diseases accumulate in the soil that prevent the culture from developing. It takes at least four years for the place to “rest”.

In the conditions of small land holdings it is difficult lawsuit new plantations for planting root crops. An improperly selected neighborhood can also destroy crops, impairing crop yields. Next to potatoes, we recommend to plant beds with:

• carrots;
• beets;
• marigolds;
• beans.

If crops are not respected, crops suffer from common diseases. It is forbidden to plant potatoes after sorghum, sunflower and nightshade vegetables. Safe predecessors will be cabbage, pumpkin or cucumbers. They are not only not harmful to root crops, but also enrich the soil with useful microelements.

In conditions of problem farming it is difficult to get a decent crop.If you know the characteristics of planting in the suburbs, the cultivation of potatoes will be simple and affordable. In the recommendations you will find a detailed analysis of the most proven methods.