Optimal distance when planting potatoes

Summer is approaching, which means it's time to plant potatoes. This cultivated plant is considered one of the most common in the gardens and areas of our country. The distance between the rows of potatoes is very important for the future harvest. At the same time, do not forget that the distance between the potatoes should also be taken into account. These parameters play an important role in the formation of tubers. Therefore, this article will be devoted to these issues.

Distance between rows

To get a good harvest of potatoes, when planting it, you should take into account the distance between the rows, as well as the distance between the tubers. It is necessary to start planting potatoes only when the soil temperature reaches 8 degrees at a depth of 10 cm. Often these conditions arise in May (with a dry and warm spring, planting can be done at the beginning of this month).

You should know that perfectly germinated tubers can be planted a little earlier - at a temperature of 5 or 6 degrees in the soil. Some gardeners argue that such a planting, on the contrary, contributes to obtaining a higher level of yield.

Usually, potatoes are planted on a flat surface. But in heavy or waterlogged soils - on the ridges (beds). This allows the soil to warm up better and also improves its aeration.

You need to start planting by determining the distance between the rows. To do this, follow these steps:

1. mark the entire site;
2. the markings are done with a marker (in this case, this means a shovel, stick, etc.). They draw a shallow furrow. On these furrows and carry out further planting;
3. a lace is pulled along the first furrow between the wedges, which will act as a guide;
4. the tuber can be planted directly under the taut cord. But this is a very laborious process that will take a long time;
5. after planting potatoes in a row, to increase yields, the soil should be mulched. Mulching is carried out with peat, which is covered with a layer of two to three centimeters.

If the ridge planting option is used (beds are formed), then two whole rows are placed in one bed. In such a situation, the rows are placed at a distance of 19-26 cm. Each subsequent two rows are separated by a groove having the width of one shovel. The walls of this groove should be sloping.

The best distance between two adjacent rows for a potato is determined by its variety:

• early ripening varieties need to be grown at a distance of 60-75 cm;
• late-ripening varieties should be planted in a row, the distance between which should be no more than 90 cm (minimum 70 cm).

Planting potatoes in a row is usually carried out according to the scheme 30x80 cm.Here you should make an amendment to the plant variety. Early potatoes form less dense tops so they can be planted more densely by making smaller spacing between rows. Some gardeners argue that planting early and late varieties at the same time will give a better harvest.

Distance between tubers

If we figured out the distance between the rows in the previous paragraph, then the question of the optimal distance between the tubers remains open.

Most often in the literature you can find the statement that about 6 bushes should be planted per square meter.If we take just such a number of plants, then in the case of a row spacing of about 70 cm, it is necessary to maintain a distance between the bushes of 26 cm.In practice, in order not to run with a ruler, this distance practically corresponds to a segment of one and a half the width of a conventional shovel. It is necessary to navigate by the diameter of the hole dug with such a shovel (approximately 25-27 cm).

But when using such a planting scheme, potatoes will grow quite densely. This option is not very profitable in terms of plantation yield. In practice, such a scheme is rarely used.

More often, you can find a planting where the gaps between the bushes will be twice as large. You can also find the following method for calculating the correct distance between the bushes. Here, the total weight of the potato must be divided by the entire area on which you plan to plant it. In this case, the figures obtained will be a real reflection of the yield. You can even find data when the distance between the holes is one meter (for the proximity of the rows of 70 cm). But this method gives the smallest yield.

It should be noted that, as in the situation with the distance between the rows, the plant variety must be taken into account:

1. early varieties are best planted at a distance of 25 to 30 cm between bushes;
2. late varieties need to be planted at a greater distance - from 30 to 35 cm.

These figures are for tubers of standard planting size (chicken egg size). When using smaller tubers, the above distances should be shortened. The optimal distance will be about 18-20 cm.For very large tubers, the distance can be significantly increased and even be 45 cm.

The distance that is observed for the rows does not matter much when choosing the distance between the bushes. This parameter is directly dependent on the characteristics of the soil composition. If the soil is fertile, there are a lot of nutrients in it, then planting should be carried out denser, since the possibilities of the soil will allow the bushes to form normally and give a crop that is excellent in taste and volume. With low soil fertility, gardeners recommend planting tubers at a greater distance from each other, so that in the future the bushes have enough opportunities to form a crop.

Common scheme for planting potatoes

The tubers are planted in holes. The correct depth for them is 7 to 10 cm. At this depth, potatoes will warm up best and germinate quickly. Sprouted stems should be covered with earth on top. This procedure will need to be repeated in a week. This will allow the formation of strong stems, which will have a positive effect on the yield. If the landing dates were later, then the depth of the hole increases by 3 cm (especially this rule applies to dry periods).

Also, the depth of the hole depends on the type of soil. For heavy soil, this parameter should be about 8 cm.In light soils, the depth of the hole should be about 10 cm.And for clay soils, the hole is made with a depth of 5 cm.

When choosing a depth, one should not clearly focus on the above figures, since it is necessary to make an estimate of the size of the tubers themselves. Smaller potatoes need to be planted at a shallow depth, but for large ones, the depth should be greater. A deviation from the established figures is allowed by no more than 3 cm in any direction.

It is recommended to plant tubers in the holes with the sprouts down. This must be done in order to form a better spreading, which will contribute to greater ventilation and illumination of the formed bush. After this procedure has been completed, and all the rules are followed, with the help of a rake, cover the potatoes on top with earth.

As you can see, such a seemingly ordinary process, like planting potatoes, can present a certain degree of complexity. Incorrectly planted tubers can significantly reduce the yield of an entire plantation.Therefore, before starting the process itself, you should first familiarize yourself with the nuances that relate to this issue.

Video "How to plant potatoes correctly"

In the video, the agronomist tells how to plant potatoes correctly: when to plant, which planting scheme to choose depending on the type of soil; different landing schemes are considered.