The principle of growing potatoes in a barrel
Non-standard methods of growing potatoes are becoming more and more popular among domestic gardeners. Growing potatoes in a barrel using the technology is similar to the method of planting in bags.
The principle of growing potatoes in a barrel
The barrel breeding method was invented by accident. The peasant dropped the tuber into the barrel. After a while, the fruit sprouted, but it was again covered with humus. When it was time to harvest, there was a big beautiful bush on the compost heap. As a result, the farmer received almost a bag of excellent large tubers. Thereafter, barrel growing began to gain popularity.
Method advantages
Growing potatoes in barrels has many advantages over the standard outdoor planting method. From 1 sq. m, with normal care and timely feeding, a bag of high-quality tubers is collected. The technology avoids problems with pests and various diseases. Even the most terrible disease, such as late blight, cannot harm the tubers of plants.
The main advantage is time saving, because there is no need to carry out additional weeding and hilling. The primer can be used several times in a row. After harvesting, it is loosened and green manure is introduced. In autumn, the soil is fertilized with organic compounds. Potatoes in a barrel can be planted at any convenient time of the year.
Subject to all the rules, the plant develops a powerful root system, which gives a rich harvest. The tubers of potatoes grown in a barrel are several times larger than those of those growing in an open area. Those who started growing potatoes in containers say that this is the most economical and promising method.
Preparatory stage
To begin with, take a suitable container. Initially, the barrel is steamed to avoid the spread of pathogenic bacteria. After that, a sufficient number of drainage holes are made in the bottom to ensure optimal air flow. Ideally, such holes are made in the side walls of the barrel. This technique allows you to take control of the air permeability of the soil and the level of moisture.
For growing potatoes in a barrel at the preparatory stage, a plastic tube with holes located 20 cm apart is mounted in the bottom. The outer end of the tube is led out. It is through him that watering and feeding is carried out. The pipe is laid along the bottom of the container in a spiral. Oxygen is pumped into the pipe using a pump.
Priming
Growing potatoes in a barrel, as well as in bags, involves the use of a nutritious soil mixture, since the tubers grow in an enclosed space. Calcine the soil taken from the garden in the oven: this will get rid of fungal diseases, pests and grow large potatoes.
Preparation of soil for growing potatoes in containers and bags begins in the fall. One of the following fertilizers is added to the soil:
- urea;
- superphosphates;
- ammonium nitrate;
- potassium mixture with ash.
Soils with a high percentage of sand require additional fertilization with sulfate or dolomite flour. Otherwise, the crop suffers from magnesium deficiency. When all preparations are over, the container is placed in a specially designated place and the soil mixture is placed in it. To plant potatoes, compost and fertile soil are mixed in equal proportions.
Eggshell solutions perfectly enrich the soil with fluorine and calcium. To do this, 5 shells are poured with water and left to stand for several days in a warm place. When a characteristic odor appears, the solution is ready to use. It is diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
Another available fertilization method is potato peelings. They are laid at the planting stage. During the decomposition of skins, the soil is enriched with micro- and macroelements, as well as starch, vitamins and mineral salts. The soil warms up evenly, which allows you to quickly get full-fledged sprouts. The only drawback is that they need to be applied more often than other fertilizers - a one-time feeding will be ineffective.
Tubers
Only healthy tubers are suitable for planting.
Planting material is pretreated with a chemical composition against insects, pests and fungi. There should already be eyes on the planting material, it is better that these are sprouts no more than 5 mm, otherwise they will break during planting.
The growth of tops can be accelerated by placing dry branches or grass on the bottom before planting the tubers. The main thing is to provide the plants with sufficient watering at the initial stage. The thicker the soil layer, the more often it needs to be watered.
Landing
At the bottom, 20 cm of soil is poured, potatoes are planted, slightly pressing down. About 10 cm of soil is poured onto the tubers on top. As soon as the potatoes in barrels or bags sprout 2-3 cm, they need to be sprinkled with soil again. The technology is to prevent the plant from forming a powerful ground part, otherwise the yield will decrease.
The earth is poured over until its layer reaches a meter height. If you make it higher, the plant will not have time to develop high-quality tubers by the end of the season. Throughout the entire growth period, the plant is watered with a sufficient amount of water. In an enclosed space, the soil dries quickly. It is easy to grow potatoes in containers, the main thing is not to allow the soil to dry out.
Care
The technology of growing potatoes in containers or bags involves the use of mineral fertilizers throughout the entire growing period. In a confined space, the plant quickly takes all the nutrients from the soil. During planting use:
- manure;
- mineral fertilizers;
- low-lying peat;
- infusions from siderata.
When the sprouts reach 10-12 cm in height, they should be fed with potassium and nitrogen. It is more convenient to feed potato plantings in a barrel with liquid minerals. The bush takes about 1-2 liters. When feeding with urea, the soil is oxidized, therefore, dolomite flour is used in combination with it.
Early potatoes are fed once, late-ripening varieties are fed 2 times. Potatoes in a barrel quickly absorb nutrients, it is not recommended to use too much nitrogen. It tends to accumulate in tubers, being converted into nitrates, which leads to a deterioration in quality indicators and significantly reduces the shelf life. Nitrogen-containing substances are used in combination with potassium.
When the flowering period ends, the potatoes in containers are fertilized with a phosphorus-containing substance. The feeding technology allows nutrients to be redirected from the ground part to the root part. This growing method does not require additional weeding and chemical treatment.
You can understand that the potatoes are ready for harvesting by the tops: it changes color from green to yellow and dries up. To harvest, all you need to do is turn the barrel over.
Alternative methods
There are 2 more similar cultivation methods that can grow a rich harvest:
- in a compost pit;
- in bags.
The principle of feeding them is the same. In a bag with soil, cuts are made where the tubers are planted. After the frost is over, a bag of seedlings is taken out into the street. The main thing is to make sure that the soil does not dry out.
The pit cultivation method is practiced in an open area. Dig a hole about 1 m deep. Further, the principle of planting and leaving is completely identical to the barrel method. Tubers with eyes are planted in the spring. The first sprouts are covered with compost mixed with soil. Such manipulations are continued until the pit is completely filled.
Growing potatoes in containers is a relatively new technology. It has many advantages over all methods and is easy to implement in any area.