One of the most common growing methods is planting potatoes in beds. This is a great option for planting tubers for lazy gardeners.
Rules for planting potatoes in the beds
The advantages of planting potatoes in the beds
Thanks to planting potatoes in beds, you can not carry out loosening of the soil and hilling. This makes it possible to grow crops on any soil, even the poorest loam.
Also include the pluses:
- convenience of watering ridges;
- saving space on the land;
- yield increase.
Narrow beds
Most often, potatoes are planted in narrow ridges. Before this, the site is cleaned of weed grass and its rhizomes. Weed removal is important. This eliminates frequent weeding and greatly facilitates the work of gardeners. Also, the ground is leveled with a rake, simultaneously breaking large clods.
Even before the start of field work, they plan the location of the ridges. In the future, they will not change, and they do not dig up the aisle at all: this simplifies the autumn digging, and also reduces the fertilizer consumption. Narrow ridges take up a third less space on the site.
Features of narrow ridges:
- Dimensions - width 45 cm, length - up to 9 m. Such dimensions are convenient for watering and fertilizing.
- The ridges never loosen or spud, because the root system of the potato is in the upper layers of the soil, and it is easy to damage it.
- With good watering and top dressing, the crop rises quickly and gives a high yield. In the southern regions, due to planting in narrow ridges, the crop is harvested 2 times per season.
Warm beds
Potato is protected from the cold
Potatoes can be planted in beds on clay soils or in adverse weather conditions in the so-called warm ridges. This method is especially good for early varieties.
When planting sprouted tubers in each hole put 1 tbsp. l vermicompost and wood ash. Cells for planting potatoes on the bed are dug in 2 rows in a checkerboard pattern. In case of small morning frosts, the ridges with planted or already sprouted potatoes are covered with straw or freshly cut grass without seeds. Warm ridges on cool days are covered with plastic wrap
To protect the soil from adverse weather conditions, potatoes are covered with mulch. Mulch retains heat and moisture well, improves potato germination and inhibits weed growth. For mulching potatoes apply:
- tree bark;
- compost;
- humus;
- hay;
- spruce needles.
Garden beds
There is another way to grow potatoes. With this method of growing, potatoes are protected from cold weather and sudden changes in temperature. The box is easily covered with a film or other covering material.
Production of a bed box
To make the box you will need:
- boards (you can use old ones);
- nails or screws;
- varnish or paint.
As a basis for the ridges, it is not recommended to use flat or wave slate. Asbestos used in their production poisons the soil.
- Boxes are made not for one year. To serve the tree for a long time, it is treated with paint or varnish. Some practice blowing boards with a blowtorch. The easiest option is to whitewash slaked lime.
- Wooden boxes are knocked together up to 6 m long. The width should not exceed 1 m, and the height should be 40 - 50 cm. For convenience when caring for potatoes, the distance between the boxes should be 60 cm. The boxes should be filled with sawdust, rotted compost, peat and sand.
- Germinated tubers are put in holes in 2 rows in a checkerboard pattern. They are sprinkled with earth with the addition of ash, after which they are covered with mulch from compost, sawdust and peat. As potatoes grow, mulch is added to a height of 20-30 cm.
- Over arches set arcs and cover with a film. When growing potatoes in boxes abundantly watered, but not more than 2 times a week. Culture does not need to be fertilized, because mulch contains everything you need.
Vertical beds
For lovers of new and economical methods of growing tubers, there is a vertical method of planting. It involves planting the culture in bags, old barrels or large cans. This method is good in small areas with poor soil.
The bag should be convenient for transportation and have holes for ventilating the roots after watering. The diameter of the holes is 1 cm. The capacity is filled by 10 cm with a mixture of soil, peat and humus. Sprouted tuber or chopped quarters with a large number of eyes are placed by sprouts on top. After planting, they are watered well.
As soon as the sprout reaches about 7 cm in height, the soil mixture is sprinkled to the level of the last leaves. So they continue to do so long as there is enough volume of the bag or canister. Such manipulations replace hilling when growing crops in open ground.
Furrow beds
No less interesting is the method of planting potatoes in double ridges-furrows. Leaves, straw, compost with ash are laid at the bottom, and sprouted tuber on top.
When planting in double rows, it is good to use tubers cut in half. Cutting is done so that eyes remain on all parts of the potato.
Before planting, the tubers are sprinkled with ash: this accelerates the growth of roots and stems. Also, the likelihood of infection with late blight is reduced.
Potatoes are planted in a double furrow in two rows at a distance of 30-35 cm.The distance between tubers should be at least 20-25 cm, and between rows - 60 cm.
Conclusion
In the northern regions of the country, summer is too short, and therefore it is difficult to grow potatoes. Insulation of ridges helps to accelerate the ripening of tubers. Even in the coldest summer, you can have time to dig up the crop before the onset of cold weather.
