Subtleties of planting potatoes: a cheat sheet for the novice gardener

The potato harvest is determined by the varietal qualities and soil condition, which is why it is so important to follow the rules of agricultural technology.

Let's try to figure out where it's better not to plant potatoes and how to properly prepare the soil for the new season so that there's something to harvest in the fall.

Rule number one

Do not plant potatoes in former nightshade beds, i.e. where potatoes, tomatoes, peppers or eggplants grew last year.

The ideal option is a place from under cucumbers, radishes or horseradish, cabbage, other cruciferous vegetables or legumes.

Rule two

The second bread prefers processed loam or sandy loam fertile soils. To compensate for the lack of nutrients, nitrogen and potassium mineral fertilizers or organic matter (humus or compost at the rate of 5 kg per 1 square meter, or 300 g of ash per the same area) are added. Green manure also has a good effect on the soil composition. Fresh manure is excluded in advance. Compost (humus) and ash can be added to the hole when planting.

Rule three

This point is as important as fertilization. In unheated soil, potato germination slows down, and if the temperature drops to 3 degrees below zero, the tubers and shoots (if they appeared) die.

A sure sign that it is time to plant potatoes is a blooming bird cherry tree - this is one of the folk signs.

Do not forget that 20 days before planting, you need to sort the seeds and leave them in a light room at a temperature of 15-18 degrees Celsius for germination. A couple of days before planting, the tubers are kept for 5-8 minutes in a weak solution of copper sulfate, potassium permanganate and boric acid.

It is important not to break the first sprouts that appear, which are considered the most productive.

• Related news:
• potatoes
• landing
• the rules
• harvest
• fertilizer
• 2 February 2023

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