Potato hilling methods
Vegetables have always been an integral part of the human diet. To obtain a bountiful harvest, agronomists have developed many useful technologies that not only make cultivation easier, but also improve the characteristics of plants. Why do you need hilling potatoes and how is it carried out? Let's take a look at the most common processing methods.
Potato hilling methods
Description of technology
For the full development of roots and the formation of fruits, all plants need oxygen and moisture. Weeds and a hard crust of soil interfere with proper growth, as a result of which the crop weakens and yields drop. To avoid problems, farmers use proven methods.
Why is the procedure needed
Is it possible not to huddle the potatoes? Novice farmers often refuse such a useful procedure, which will then negatively affect fertility. The more oxygen is supplied to the roots, the better the tubers develop and the yield of the variety increases. In cool regions, the process not only promotes natural formation, but also protects against excess moisture and frost.
Hilling potatoes, we solve several problems at once: we loosen the soil and create an additional volume of it, in which tubers are formed; push the plant to form stolons in the lower (covered with soil) part of the stems and improve lighting.
First, the soil is loosened and plant residues are removed. During the second stage, the land around the bush must be collected in the form of a small mound. This is done manually or using a special technique. By the way, this procedure is often used to save time when leaving.
Dates of the
When to spud potatoes? To protect young growth from frost, in the northern regions, work begins after the appearance of the first shoots. The formation of low ridges will protect from the cold, destroy the roots of weeds. The height of the hills should not be more than 10 cm. For the Middle Lane, the event is carried out after the tops reach 0.15 m, and in the southern regions, weeding can be done.
Remember that it is forbidden to work in the heat. We advise you to start treating the soil in the morning or in the evening. It is better to choose a cloudy day after a rainstorm, and in the absence of natural irrigation, you can water the garden with sprinkler irrigation. In this case, the earth will not crumble, and the ridges will keep their shape.
Processing methods
You can sprinkle any potato in different ways. Several popular options are available to the modern person. It all depends on the financial capacity and the scope of the proposed work.
Manual hilling
This option has been used for many centuries, although the process is very laborious and requires considerable physical strength. The procedure is carried out with a chopper with a wide blade or a shovel. Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully prepare the beds by removing weeds. Manually spud potatoes in two ways.
- Shoveling. The soil is collected with a hoe to the bushes from all sides. The result is a "bouquet" of stems.
- Fanny.The tops are pushed apart in different directions, after which the plant is sprinkled with earth in the middle.
During the procedure, it is important to remember that the resulting hill is high and wide enough. In this case, the tubers will begin to actively develop and expand in breadth. A small comb will not be able to protect against frost or overheating under the sun.
Weeds must be removed before hilling.
By the way, in hardware stores it is worth purchasing an improved version of a hand tool. Like a hoe, it is convenient to remove overgrown weeds with a trimmer, and it is also easy to huddle the rows of root crops. The device resembles a hoe, but has a wide blade.
Hand cultivator
A more modern version of potato processing is the hiller. The device is used for work between the beds. The technique consists of a handle and two dumps on which the tezlo is attached. You can buy it at any hardware store or assemble it yourself.
How do they spud potatoes with such a plow? The scoring knife deepens into the soil, raising the top layer of the soil. The bushes are passed between discs, which rake the earth to the stem. As a rule, the bipod does not have enough power, so the procedure takes place in two stages - loosening and processing the rows.
Despite the outward simplicity, it is difficult for one person to work with plowmen. If there is a horse, then it is easy to complete the draft task, and the owner will press the hiller into the soil. If there are no animals, then all functions should be shifted to two people.
Motoblock
When growing root crops in a small area, it is enough to process it with a hoe or a shovel. Planting and hilling any potatoes on a usable area of 0.5 hectares will be facilitated by special technical devices. What are the advantages of a gasoline powered appliance?
- Versatility. By changing the attachments, the walk-behind tractor can be used both as a cultivator and a hiller. Powerful eight horsepower models are used as a pump for irrigation and harvesting.
- Speed. In a short time, it turns out to process a site of any volume. Industrial options are made with three pairs of dumps, which makes it possible to hilling potatoes in 3 rows.
- Independence. The technique is designed in such a way that the work is carried out with one operator. The apparatus takes on the role of traction force.
If processing with a walk-behind tractor is supposed, then during planting it is necessary to make the distance between the bushes the same, so farmers mark the rows with a special marker. The day before the start of the procedure, the bushes are thoroughly watered. If you use the technique on the same day, then dirt will remain on the cutter and dumps, which will have to be cleaned every few meters.
How to sprinkle potatoes with the "Mole" and "Winch" walk-behind tractors? A wide wheel is used to loosen the soil, and a narrow wheel is used to process a row. A small nozzle breaks up the lumps formed during the procedure, after which the soil becomes soft. A plow is installed at the back of the device, which rakes the soil onto the plants.
Experienced farmers work with potatoes in one direction. They make one pass, after which they drive off to the side, stand on the next row and repeat the action. The technique allows the operator to adjust both the travel speed and the depth of the tool. Choosing a mistake can damage the tubers.
Procedure frequency
How many times to spud potatoes? The culture is processed in several stages per season. Experienced farmers advise at least two events, although in the private sector they can take from three or more. It is important to monitor the condition of the plants and the development of the tops. If tubers peep out of the soil, then you must definitely start the procedure.
We recommend that beginner farmers pay attention to the climatic features of the region and how the plant develops. For example, in cold areas, "blind" hilling is practiced in two stages.First, only the hatched processes are covered with soil, and after the stem is increased to 20 cm, the procedure is repeated. Experts are confident that the use of the method helps to increase fertility.
Hilling potatoes in the southern regions is considered unnecessary by many farmers. Under the crests of the earth, the tubers heat up, which leads to a deterioration in the characteristics and a decrease in the quality of the finished product. To ensure complete care, simple loosening is sufficient.
How many procedures are needed in the Middle Lane? Owners of small areas sometimes practice 5 repetition. Most often, such zeal is due to the fact that farmers do not have time for regular plowing of the soil. Plants planted in even rows are much quickly cultivated with a hoe or a shovel, removing weeds and renewing mounds. The first stage takes place after the appearance of the processes, and the second and subsequent stages - after three weeks.
Alternative
Potatoes without hilling have little chance of growing healthy and productive. By loosening the soil, proper gas exchange of the root system is ensured. However, there are opinions that the plant will be able to develop normally with other methods of care.
Cultivating potatoes under straw does not require much human attention. Sprouting in the light and special planting material allow you to get a good harvest without hills from the soil. It is important to create suitable conditions for the development of the species.
If you decide not to huddle your potatoes, then loosening is a must. It must be carried out by hand with a hoe throughout the summer. Before irrigation, the soil crust is broken and plant residues are removed. The roots gain access to air, and excess moisture evaporates.
By the way, when working with a walk-behind tractor, it is difficult to use the device on overgrown beds. The lugs can damage the planting tops, and this threatens to reduce the yield. It is easy to solve the problem using manual methods - with a hoe or a shovel.
Knowing the peculiarities of cultivating vegetables, you can get the most out of it without any problems. But novice agrarians do not always understand the importance of a particular procedure. In our recommendations, we described in detail how to properly huddle potatoes.