Planting potatoes, methods and techniques from farm Adelaida

Planting potatoes is one of the most important technological operations in the process of cultivation of potatoes. Before planting, it is necessary to correctly determine the optimal planting time, the depth of planting tubers, as well as the layout of plants on the area.

Optimal planting dates for potatoes

It is believed that potatoes are best planted in the ground when its temperature at the depth of 10 cm warms up to + 6 - 8 C °.

Coming out of this, through many years of experience, own terms were established for each climatic zone of Ukraine. For the Polesie zone, this is the 2nd - 3rd decade of April, for the Forest-Steppe zone - the 2nd decade of April, for the Steppe zone - the 2nd - 3rd decade of March.

To obtain the early harvest, pre-sprouted tubers with strong sprouts can be planted at the soil with temperature of + 3 - 5 ° C. Planting cut tubers requires the sufficiently heated soil of at least + 8 ° C, this is due to the threat of infection with diseases.

It must be understood that planting at the optimal time is the key to the high yield, too early planting threatens with sparse seedlings, and delaying for 10-15 days leads to the significant decrease in yield.

Potato planting depth

The depth depends on the mechanical composition of the soil, the lighter the soil, the larger it is and vice versa. Depth is the distance from the top of the tuber to the ground, if planting in ridges, this distance is measured from the top of the tuber to the surface of the flat area, but not to the top of the ridge. It is optimal to plant potatoes by 6-8 cm, on light sandy soils the depth can be increased to 10 cm. The size of planting tubers should also be taken into account, small tubers are planted 2-3 cm less, and large ones 2-3 cm deeper.

The planting on the small depth can provoke greening of the tubers, which negatively affects the future harvest, besides, it will be with green spots, such tubers are not suitable for use.

Common ways to plant potatoes

The feeding area is very important in the formation of the future harvest, so the planting pattern is very important. To begin with, the row spacing is determined, if the manual method is used during planting, then the row spacing is maintained within 50–60 cm, if planting is carried out mechanically, 70–75 cm. Such row spacing is most convenient for further care and subsequent harvesting of potatoes. It does not make sense to use a width of less than 50 cm, since problems will arise when hilling potatoes.

When selecting the spacing between the rows, it is necessary to take into account the variety of potatoes. Some varieties form the crop close to the mother tuber, others love space and require a larger feeding area. The distance between tubers in a row should be from 15 to 35 cm, and the most common is 20 to 30 cm. If soil fertility is high, then the distance between the tubers is made larger and the row spacing is increased accordingly. The optimal number of tubers per one acre is 500 - 700 pcs. According to table 1, it is easy to determine the required landing method.

Table 1. The number of bushes per acre, depending on the method of planting potatoes

Potatoes in adjacent rows should be planted in the checkerboard pattern, this will help to properly distribute soil nutrients for each bush. Early potatoes, which will be consumed young, can be planted 600 - 700 pcs. on one acre. The same rule applies to seed plots to get as many standard tubers as possible.

Planting potatoes with the walk-behind tractor

Modern methods of mechanization in agriculture can significantly reduce manual labor in growing potatoes. Planting potatoes with the walk-behind tractor means cutting ridges with it and then planting the tubers into the soil.

A wide cultivating tine is installed on the walk-behind tractor, which forms the row for potatoes. Further, the prepared tubers are manually sorted along this row in accordance with the planting scheme. After that, the reverse hiller or disks are installed on the walk-behind tractor, which cover the row with earth, thereby forming the ridge.

It is very important to set the depth for the unit, you need to carefully prepare everything to achieve optimal planting depth of tubers, as well as the height of ridge formation. 

Planting potatoes under straw

Another interesting method of growing potatoes. It is more often used in conditions of excess moisture. Potatoes are germinated in advance and laid on the surface of the soil. If possible, the tubers are sprinkled with peat and covered with straw. At the same time, its layer should be at least 30 cm. Potatoes germinate under the straw, after which another layer of 15-20 cm is laid out so potatoes are planting. Throughout the growing season, you need to monitor the presence of moisture, drying in such conditions is not permissible.

This method of planting potatoes involves easy harvesting, you just need to rake the straw and harvest.