One of the mandatory operations that summer residents resort to in the process of growing potatoes is hilling.
As the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, scientist-agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh explained, this procedure involves collecting soil around the root system of the plant.
The soil is raked from all sides, creating a ridge of loose soil. The lower layer of soil under this ridge retains moisture, which maintains a stable temperature and improves the conditions for the growth and development of potatoes.
Is it necessary to hill up potatoes?
Although hilling has many advantages, it is not mandatory.
Potatoes in your garden can grow and develop without hilling, but if you want to get a really good harvest, you should not ignore this stage in caring for the crop.
Advantages of hilling
Let's find out why hilling helps increase crop yields.
The whole point is that this technology entails many positive effects.
In the “nest” that results from hilling, the number and size of tubers increases.
By loosening the soil, it becomes saturated with oxygen, which reaches the plant roots.
The soil completely covers the tubers, so you don't have to worry about them turning green and becoming unfit for consumption.
Finally, loose soil protects potatoes from fungal diseases, and weeds are destroyed during hilling.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
