The secret to a high potato yield lies in proper soil preparation, which is carried out both in spring and autumn.
The culture requires fertile soil rich in nutrients.
Many gardeners use a universal solution – manure. But this is by no means the only or the most effective option.
Green manure
Experienced gardeners improve the quality of care with the help of plants, which are called by the general term “green manures”.
About 400 crops can perform this function. The following are popular among ordinary gardeners:
- peas;
- vetch;
- lupine;
- beans;
- phacelia;
- mustard;
- oats;
- alfalfa;
- sweet clover.
They are planted in between the main crops. Some summer residents do this only in spring or autumn, while others do not allow the soil to become overgrown with weeds almost all year round.
Green manure for spring and autumn
Experienced gardeners have identified the most successful green manure crops for spring. The list includes:
- fodder peas;
- mustard;
- phacelia;
- oats.
It is recommended to sow green manure in the spring no later than 2-3 weeks before planting potatoes. It is important that the green manure has time to develop sufficiently. But at the same time, it is impossible for them to scatter seeds.
For autumn planting use:
- alfalfa;
- vika;
- peas;
- lupine;
- sweet clover.
Crops are sown closer to mid-autumn. There is no need to rush, because in good weather the plants can scatter seeds in October.
But you shouldn't wait for persistent frosts either. The optimal time for sowing green manure crops is around the beginning of October.
How to sow
The soil must first be dug up or plowed. You can sow seeds in furrows 2-3 cm deep, and then cover with compost (5-10 cm layer).
When sowing in spring, you should wait until the soil warms up to a depth of 3-5 cm. Two weeks before planting potatoes, the green manure is mowed and the soil is dug up (plowed).
