The best potato planting technologies

Potatoes are the most common product grown in the garden or dacha. Potato planting technology is different. It all depends on the knowledge of the gardener and the tools available to him. This article will look at the very best technologies used today for planting potatoes.

Distinguishing features of Dutch technology

Recently, planting potatoes using Dutch technology has become increasingly popular. This method of landing in our country is considered relatively new. Some gardeners sometimes use certain elements of Dutch technology.

The Dutch potato planting technology is based on a whole range of different agricultural techniques. It includes:

1. processing of a soil area with the help of special milling tools. As a result, the soil becomes looser;
2. compulsory spraying of plants with various drugs against late blight. This disease can destroy an entire plantation in just four days;
3. tillage with herbicides. If you omit this item, then it is necessary to periodically weed the weeds that have appeared between the ridges. You can use a traditional hoe or hoe for this. But weeding should be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system of plants and not displace stems that have already taken root;
4. the formation of high-volume ridges. Their formation occurs as a result of the passage between the rows of a special unit. It is done once - at the beginning of planting.

A distinctive feature of this technology is the minimization of the number of mechanical treatments required in the process of caring for the plantation. In addition, the following points can be attributed to the distinctive features of this technology:

• to place potatoes, a site with a high agricultural background is used;
• a prerequisite is crop rotation. Return to the previous landing site takes place only after three or four years;
• mandatory cleaning of the soil from all kinds of pathogens, pathogenic microbes, bacteria and fungi before alternating crops;
• using only high-quality planting material. This point is very important for Dutch technology. Our gardeners need to strictly adhere to this point if they want to get a really good harvest. In Holland, only high-quality planting material is always planted, therefore, their harvest is always excellent (unlike our compatriots). According to the technology, tubers should be 30-50 mm in diameter. Only tubers with varietal purity and high reproduction (elite and super-elite varieties) are used;
• pre-planting land cultivation in order to increase the productivity of future seedlings;
• heating or germination of tubers. Shallow planting to a depth of 4 cm is possible;
• when the first shoots appear, it is necessary to form ridges, the height of which is about 25 cm and the width is 75 cm.

When using Dutch technology, much attention is paid to calculating the density of potato planting.Seed material is obtained with a thickened planting, in which there are at least 30 bushes per square meter. For further planting, only those tubers are selected that have five or more eyes. Further, the planting map assumes planting six tubers per square meter.

The scheme of hilling potatoes on the ridges

In addition to the above features, the technological process of the Dutch planting and growing method involves the creation of optimal conditions for the rapid development and growth of potato bushes. For this, tubers are harvested relatively early, which prevents infection with various diseases, especially late blight. All tops are removed from the field. Tubers are left in the ground for two weeks for better ripening. As a result, a strong peel is formed on them, which prevents the possibility of any mechanical damage, and also increases the shelf life.

Traditional hand

The most common method of planting potatoes in our country is the traditional method - manual. This is due to the fact that everything new must first be tested, and the result will not always correspond to the expectations of the gardener. And the old proven method is so good because it has been tested over many years of practice.

Traditional manual landing is carried out in three main methods:

1. smooth disembarkation;
2. ridge formation;
3. the formation of trenches.

The choice of method depends on the characteristics of the soil in the summer cottage or garden. For example, in the case of loose, sandy loam and sandy soils, the trench method should be used. For loamy soils, the option with the formation of ridges is more suitable. Let's consider each method in more detail.

Smooth landing, or "under the shovel." A very simple method. Here you just need to lift a layer of soil with a shovel, put a tuber in the formed hole and cover it from above. After finishing planting, the ground should be leveled with a rake. This will reduce moisture loss.

The downside of this method is that it is very difficult to do the necessary actions alone. This requires at least two people. One should dig out the ground, forming holes, and the second should follow and place tubers in the holes. In addition to potatoes, compost, fertilizers (urea, saltpeter) or humus should be put in the hole. When digging the next hole, the previous hole is covered with earth. It is often used in the presence of a flat area where water does not stagnate and the sun warms the soil well. In all other cases, you should not use a similar landing option.

Ridge formation. It is used with a high level of groundwater approach, as well as on waterlogged or heavy soils. This method involves the following manipulations:

• so that the ridges are even, you must first outline the grooves. You can also use a cord to mark;
• using a hoe or hoe to form the ridges. Their height is approximately 15 cm. The distance between adjacent ridges is 70 cm (a distance of 50 cm is also allowed);
• tubers are planted in these ridges. The combs protect the tubers from possible soaking.

With moisture-consuming soils, this approach is justified. But if the soil is very light or loose, then the formation of ridges will be ineffective. The ridges will simply begin to crumble in heavy rains, thereby exposing the buried tubers. And if the summer is hot, then watering should be periodically organized to prevent the soil from drying out.

Trenching. This method is most justified for sandy or sandy loam soils, as well as in the presence of a hot climate. This method is essentially the opposite of ridges. Here the landing deepens, not rises. As a result, the planted tubers are protected from possible drying out and overheating. It is not recommended to use this method on wet soils, as stagnant water and deterioration of air exchange in tubers will lead to a poor harvest.

Whichever traditional method is chosen for planting potatoes, they all require a minimum of effort. At the same time, their yield is almost the same. So the choice should be made only on the basis of soil properties and the availability of the required equipment.

Video "A simple and quick way to plant potatoes"

The video shows a manual method of planting potatoes without digging; the gardener shows how he plants the tubers in the furrows along the cord.

Using a walk-behind tractor or planter

Another method of planting tubers is a method in which a planter or walk-behind tractor is used. This method involves the use of technology, which makes it possible to simplify and mechanize the process. Most often, from the existing gardening equipment, a walk-behind tractor is used, as well as a special planter (it is used much more often).

Using a walk-behind tractor, potatoes are planted as follows:

1. first, even furrows should be cut. The whole process is accompanied by deep loosening of the soil. The distance between furrows should be about 55 cm. This distance is left for convenience during further weeding;
2. tubers that have sprouted well are placed in the furrows, sprouts up. The distance between them is about 40 cm. With small planting material, the distance is reduced;
3. furrows are filled with a motor-cultivator or manually using a rake.

This method has many supporters, since it is characterized by the highest yield due to good loosening of the soil.

When choosing a method of planting potatoes, they proceed more from the type of soil, as well as from the availability of specialized equipment at their disposal. If everything is done correctly and all the nuances are taken into account, then you can achieve a high-quality harvest.

Video "Planting potatoes using a walk-behind tractor"

The video demonstrates the process of planting potatoes using a walk-behind tractor.