Permissible depth for planting potatoes
The most popular crop among gardeners is potatoes. The planting depth of potatoes will be directly related to the cultivation method, as well as the quality of the soil. Basically, planting is carried out at a time when the ground is warmed up by 4-8 в to a depth of 0.1 m. Basically, the potato planting season begins in mid-April and ends in mid-May.
Permissible depth for planting potatoes
In many ways, the landing time will depend on the weather conditions and the region. The crop is planted later when cut tubers are used rather than whole tubers. This is due to the high risk of contracting fungal diseases. In such cases, they are waiting for the soil to warm up by more than 8 ℃.
Growing methods
The planting depth is determined by the growing method. There are 3 of them:
- smooth disembarkation;
- comb;
- trench.
Each method is used in certain cases, and is clearly selected depending on the quality of the soil. There is one common criterion for all methods - planting is carried out in the direction from the south to the north. This move allows you to arrange the plants so that they are evenly illuminated from all sides, because the culture does not like shade. Naturally, one should not forget about the mandatory application of fertilizers.
Disembarkation recommendations
At what depth to plant potatoes and the distance between the holes is determined by:
- variety of culture,
- soil composition.
The optimum planting depth of potatoes on light soils is 0.1 m. For planting in heavy loamy areas, dig holes 0.8 m deep. On clay soil, potatoes are planted, deepening by 40-50 mm. An important criterion for determining the length of the hole is the size of the tubers. Compact potatoes are not planted as deeply as large ones, but you should not deviate from the standards by more than 30 mm.
The recommended width between the rows of late potatoes is 0.7 m, and for the early one is 0.6 m. In a row for the early variety, a step of 0.23 m is made, for the late ones - 0.3 m. Such standards are relevant for potatoes of ordinary planting size.
Smooth landing
The depth of planting potatoes in the black soil in the southern hilly territories is 0.12 m. This option is called planting under a shovel. First, make the markup. How long to make holes on the black earth depends on the location of the site. Planting is carried out after deep plowing.
This method was used during the Soviet Union during the development of virgin lands. After processing, the tractor left huge layers on which it was simply impossible to make ridges. The culture was planted under a shovel to a depth of 0.05 m, crushing large lumps of earth with a pitchfork. Constant loosening, fertilization, hilling helps to significantly increase yields and make the land suitable for planting crops in the future.
Ridge landing
The depth of planting potatoes with a walk-behind tractor is 15 cm. The width between the holes is 65-71 centimeters.The method is used in areas with a close location of groundwater. The actual method is for regions with dense soil, which does not allow air to pass through well.
The motoblock is often used due to the fact that someone in the village has the necessary devices. People try to minimize manual labor. But this method is not suitable for every type of soil. For example, loamy and sandy soils are very poor at retaining moisture, so there is an increased risk of reduced yields when planting with the ridge method.
Trench landing
The depth of planting potatoes in trenches on sandy soils and loams, which do not retain moisture well, ranges from 120 to 150 mm. The potatoes should be slightly pressed into the ground. Trenches are laid at a distance of 70 cm from each other.
Potato tubers should be planted at a distance of 0.4-0.6 m. This marking can also be done with a walk-behind tractor. To plant potatoes without unnecessary energy consumption, you can use a potato planter - a special attachment for a walk-behind tractor.
The method is not suitable for soils that retain moisture or regions with a close location of groundwater. In this case, the potatoes will simply suffocate and rot in the ground or infection with late blight will begin.
Non-standard types of disembarkation
Try an unusual planting method
Usually, new methods of planting potatoes appear due to the need to solve a particular problem. For example, the lack of space is solved by planting in a container. If the method has justified itself, they begin to improve it and use it everywhere. Usually people try to use the most common method of planting under a shovel, but it is not always effective. Let's consider several options for non-standard solutions.
Straw landing
This method requires a minimum of energy consumption during harvest. The potatoes are laid out on top of the soil, and then sprinkled with a 20 cm layer of straw. It is added as the ground part of the plant grows. This is a great option for virgin soil with hard ground. The method is not suitable for dry areas, the potatoes will simply dry out here.
Heavy soils after harvesting potatoes are covered with the remaining straw. With the help of embedding, you can significantly improve the quality of the soil and, over time, apply other planting methods in the same place. It is not necessary to plant potatoes under the straw by laying them out on a flat surface. You can make small holes, so it will be possible to retain moisture.
Growing under film
In this case, the land is plowed and flavored with organic matter. After that, spread a black film or matter on it. Then, along the marking, cuts are made in the form of crosses. You can arrange them in any order.
In the places of the cuts, you should select the ground, forming holes. The optimum planting depth for potatoes in this way is from 5 to 12 cm, depending on the type of soil. The technology does not imply any hilling and cultivation. This option is more often used for early varieties. Under the cover, the soil warms up evenly and the harvest appears faster.
The method is not suitable for hot areas. In dry weather, the soil will overheat and the tubers will bake. For warmer regions, a different method will work.
Disembarkation in a container
The optimum planting depth for potatoes in a container is 1m. The method involves the use of high capacity: barrels, boxes. A drainage system is made in the bottom. A tube with holes at an equal distance is placed on the bottom, before filling the soil, and its upper part is brought out. Through it, fertilizing and watering is carried out.
After all the preparations, a 15 cm layer of earth should be poured onto the bottom and the potatoes should be planted, pressing a little. Cover with a layer of soil 10 cm. As soon as sprouts appear, they should be covered with soil. The procedure is carried out until the ground level in the container reaches 1 m. The soil must be highly fertile. Usually they take organic matter and fertile soil in proportions 1: 1.
The advantage of the method is the ability to avoid many diseases, and plants are not attacked by pests. The soil can be used for several years in a row. You can collect a bag of potatoes from one such bed if you apply fertilizers on time and do not forget to water the crop.
Landing in the kurgans
Deep cultivation with the introduction of organic matter is preliminarily carried out on the site. After that, markup is done. A circle with a diameter of about 2 m is marked.On the perimeter of the circle, holes are dug in increments of 25-40 cm.The optimal depth of planting potatoes using this method is 5 cm.
Every time the tops become visible, they need to be sprinkled with soil. This is how the mound is formed. In the middle of the circle, be sure to make a deep hole for watering. This planting option allows you to get a good harvest from a small area.
Final part
How deep to plant the potatoes will depend on several factors. First of all, it is the composition of the soil and climatic conditions. Depending on the cultivation method, the embedment depth can vary from 5 cm to 1 m.
The fertility of the soil and yield will depend on how much high-quality soil embedding the gardener will carry out before planting. If potatoes are planted in the same place for several years in a row, deep cultivation is carried out - 30 cm at least with the introduction of organic matter. Deep cultivation is done twice:
- in the fall after harvest;
- in the spring before planting.
Before choosing a planting method, you need to take into account the weather conditions in your region. For example, the ridge method is not suitable for arid climates. To what depth to plant potatoes, each farmer will decide independently, relying on the characteristics of the soil and the ability to regularly loosen, water and fertilize the plants. There is a universal method that is suitable for all regions, regardless of what kind of soil is on the site - planting under a shovel. The option of planting potatoes under a shovel has been used for a long time and is the most effective.