The one who is too lazy to take care of them will not produce potatoes. Growing potatoes in the Krasnodar region Photo gallery: no-till method of planting potatoes

Potatoes are one of the most popular cultivated crops, so there are a huge number of varieties. Some are distinguished by the abundance of their harvest, others by their unpretentiousness, and others by their early harvest. Among all, the Kubanka potato occupies a place of honor: a domestically bred variety that has a beautiful and easy-to-prepare root shape, as well as an excellent taste.

But the main advantage is early harvest. Potatoes of the Kubanka variety can be tasted as early as July-August.

Description of the variety: origin and characteristics

The Kubanka potato variety is white. The skin of the tubers is light Brown, pulp - milky. When cutting, it does not darken, which increases the aesthetics of the dishes. The vegetable is small in size, suitable for any heat treatment. In addition, it has an excellent taste, which is unusual for early-ripening potatoes.

In continuation of the description of the variety, it must be said that the variety bred by Russian breeders is unpretentious and grows almost everywhere in our country. Although, zones with a warm climate that do not require long rains are recommended for cultivation. Potatoes of the Kubanka variety are not afraid of droughts; on the contrary, in dry summers they produce a rich harvest.

Important! If planted early (already at the end of April, when the threat of frost has passed), it will produce a double harvest.

At the same time, the Kubanka potato variety does not degenerate. Collect seeds yourself without renewing planting material some years.

The description of the variety will not be complete without listing the main characteristics:

• The tubers have a pleasant taste, uncharacteristic of early varieties.
• High yield in almost any weather conditions.
• Not afraid of drought, but does not like rain.
• Unpretentious to grow.
• Retains its presentation for several months.
• At mechanical damage the tuber does not rot.
• Potatoes of the Kubanka variety do not degenerate for several years.
• Resistant to common diseases and pests.

The Kubanka potato variety is especially popular in Kuban, as well as in Ukraine. It is often grown for industrial use. Easy to care for, it is also suitable for farming and vegetable gardens. But here it is important to take into account one feature: in severe drought, the tubers become small. However taste qualities do not suffer: the characteristics of Kubanka potatoes are always at the proper level.

No problems or shortcomings were noted when cultivating the described potatoes. That is why it is considered optimal for beginners in agriculture, and for experienced gardeners.

Peculiarities of Kubanka cultivation

From the description of the variety it is clear that it is unpretentious in care and does not require any special measures. Cultivation does not require special actions. But let's take things in order. The main condition is to plant it in time to get a double harvest. There are certain requirements here. In regions where frosts are possible even in late spring, the sowing date falls in the first or second half of May. But in areas with a warm climate they are planted at the end, sometimes mid-April. Moreover, the bushes will grow both from the whole tuber and from segments with eyes. To separate, use a disinfected knife, cut just before throwing into the hole.

Landing

Tubers are planted in shallow holes located at a distance of about 35 cm from each other. If you plant more densely, you will get a small-sized vegetable. In addition, the harvest itself will decrease, and it will be more difficult to care for each plant.

The seeding depth is about 10-15 cm. The first shoots may appear in 3-5 days, depending on the weather.

Important! To prevent weeds from overwhelming the potatoes, making it difficult to grow, mulch the soil. This measure will keep the soil moist and add nutrition.

Care and cultivation

Kubanka potatoes grow quickly and amicably. During the entire growing season it is hilled 2 times (high ridges):

1. 10-12 days after germination (when the bushes are already large enough).
2. Repeat after 2 weeks. Hilling stimulates the development of new tubers.

Although Kubanka potatoes are not demanding on moisture, drip irrigation will significantly increase the yield. Organize it in the evening, when the sun is not shining, by stretching the hose between the rows.

Weeding is carried out in a timely manner. It will get rid of pests and also allow the plant to develop better. In addition, periodic loosening is required.

In order for potatoes to grow faster and more actively, they are fed twice a season. Moreover, the types of fertilizers alternate: once - mineral, the second - organic.

To prevent diseases, spray with products containing copper. Treating tubers before planting, insecticides and proper crop rotation help control pests.

Harvest

Potato variety Kubanka is an early variety. It is harvested in mid to late summer. A few days before harvesting, the tops are cut off. This stimulates the development of tubers and gives impetus to their growth. In addition, this way the vegetable will accumulate maximum amount nutrients, significantly improving your taste. When digging, the tubers are placed between the rows, giving them the opportunity to dry.

Sorting is carried out right there, at the boundary. Root vegetables used for cooking are separated from seed material.

As the description of the variety shows, Kubanka - perfect option for cultivation for food use. It produces large yields and does not require special attention. It is used in cooking for any dish: it is boiled, fried, baked, etc. An important factor: when growing Kubanka potatoes, you will taste the new harvest in mid-summer. This is one of the very first ripened crops on the site.

Tasty, milky white, not darkening when cut, convenient in shape - characteristics worthy of bringing this particular potato to your table. Try Kubanka and you will definitely appreciate it.

To ensure that the time and energy spent on caring for potatoes is not wasted, the harvest must be harvested on time. Here it is very important to correctly calculate the timing of potato harvesting: tubers dug up too early, due to too thin and fragile skins, will deteriorate and will not last until spring. Potatoes left in the ground longer than necessary to ripen will most likely begin to rot from the inside. If, before digging, heavy rains begin or frosts strike, you can say goodbye to the grown tubers.

Factors influencing potato ripening:

Variety According to ripening time, potato varieties are divided into:

• super early (35–50 days);
• early (50–65 days);
• mid-early (65–80 days);
• mid-season (80–95 days);
• medium-late (95–110 days);
• late (110–120 or more days).

When choosing a potato variety, gardeners usually focus on the climatic conditions of their region. If persistent frosts in a given area occur earlier than the expected ripening period of potatoes, it simply does not make sense to grow such a variety.

Climatic conditions. In hot weather, without watering, potatoes ripen faster. If the summer is cool and rainy, the tubers ripen longer, although they may begin to rot.

Soil fertility. IN fertile soil Potatoes take longer to ripen, but grow larger. Therefore, in well-fertilized areas, harvesting begins later. If they were used on the site nitrogen fertilizers, it is better to hesitate with digging up the tubers. To prevent rot, such fertilizers should not be abused.

How to choose the right time to harvest potatoes

Potatoes are considered to be ripe when 60–70% of the tops have fallen and dried out. However, there are exceptions to this rule: the tops of some varieties turn green until late autumn, despite the fact that the tubers have long ripened. In addition, the tops may die prematurely due to illness.

In order to accurately determine the timing of potato harvesting, it is necessary to periodically dig up one bush in different places in the area and evaluate the condition of the peel by eye. Young tubers cannot be stored for long: they are best eaten.

Potatoes of the most common mid-early and mid-ripening varieties in Russia ripen approximately 40–45 days after flowering. IN different regions Potatoes are dug from mid-August to the end of September.

When deciding when to dig potatoes, you should focus on the weather forecast: if prolonged rains or frosts are expected, it is better to dig up the tubers a little sooner than later to collect them rotten, with stuck clods of earth.

If the tops have not dried out, then they need to be mowed approximately 2-3 weeks (at least a week) before harvesting the potatoes. This is necessary so that the skins of the tubers in the ground ripen. In addition, green tops can draw useful substances from potatoes, as a result the pulp will become less tasty.

It is better to harvest on a dry, clear day, closer to noon, when the air warms up to at least +10°C, otherwise a sharp difference between the temperature of the soil and the air can negatively affect the condition of the tubers. Optimal temperature for digging potatoes – from +10 to +17°C.

When to start digging potatoes in different regions of Russia

Most of Russia's territory is located in the zone of risky agriculture. Therefore, you need to choose a potato variety very carefully, giving preference to zoned varieties. True, there are varieties that are universal. Thus, according to statistics, almost 70% of owners of household plots located from Kuban to the Far East plant potatoes of the early Zhukovsky variety on their plots, which are different high yield and resistance to weather conditions. Its only drawback is that the tubers begin to germinate at the slightest increase in temperature in the storage. If the autumn is warm, and the gardener delays harvesting, the potatoes may still germinate in the ground.

Potato harvest in central Russia

In the north middle zone In Russia, frosts begin in the third decade of September. Accordingly, it is better to harvest potatoes before mid-September. Although growing late varieties in such conditions is very risky, skilled summer residents are not afraid of difficulties: the mid-late varieties Pobeda, Nakra, Altair, Fambo are very popular. Of the early varieties that can be harvested in late August - early September, home gardeners prefer Bashkirsky, Bellarosa, Nora, and Rosara.

In the south of central Russia, frosts occur later, at the beginning of October. The climate here is milder, so you can grow any variety of potatoes, even the latest ones. Of the late varieties, the varieties of Belarusian selection most loved by gardeners are Belorussky 3 and Lasunak, and of the mid-late varieties - Lorch, Mozart, Pobeda, Golubizna.

Potato harvest in Kuban

The southern regions have their own specifics. Here they pay more attention not to frost, but to the summer heat. From about mid-July, the temperature rises so much that potatoes in the ground stop growing. Therefore, in the south of Russia it is profitable to plant early and mid-early varieties that ripen before the end of July.

It has been experimentally established that the same Zhukovsky produces high yields only in the first year, then the variety degenerates, losing resistance to heat. But in these climatic conditions, the early varieties Cleopatra and Skoroplodny, as well as the mid-early ones, performed well:
Svitanok Kyiv, Cardinal, Raj and Reserve. And Arrow is recognized as the most delicious of the early varieties grown in the Kuban.

Potato harvest in Crimea

Although the first frosts in Crimea begin only at the end of October, due to the hot climate here, as in Kuban, it is more profitable to grow early varieties.
Crimean breeders specially developed a heat-resistant Crimean rose variety, ideal for local conditions.

If irrigation is organized on the site, then the heat-resistant early varieties Agave, Tiras, Laura, Arosa can produce two harvests per season in Crimean conditions: the first is harvested in June, the second in early October.

Potato harvest in the Urals and Siberia

In the Urals and Siberia, frosts begin in the second ten days of September. The climate is characterized by late spring frosts, possible July drought and heavy rains in August. Therefore, it is least risky to grow early and mid-early varieties, which can be harvested in the second or third ten days of August. The most common varieties here are Lugovskoy, Udacha (both frost- and drought-resistant), and Redstar.

Potatoes are grown in temperate climates throughout the world. In the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, it forms, if not the basis of the diet, then a significant part of it. Since its appearance on the Eurasian continent, many varieties with different characteristics. In areas with short summers, early ripening varieties are especially valued. And in other regions, gardeners plant early varieties in order to have young potatoes on the table in June. Their only drawback is that they are not suitable for winter storage, so they are grown in small quantities.

General characteristics of early ripening potato varieties

Potatoes of early varieties have a short growing season. It begins to grow actively as soon as the soil temperature reaches +10 o C. The harvest can be harvested after flowering. It should be noted that during this period, young tubers have very thin skin, and they cannot be stored for a long time.

Early varieties, depending on the time they reach technical ripeness, are classified as follows:

• ultra-early (34–36 days);
• early (40–50 days);
• mid-early (50–60 days).

Potatoes need another 15–20 days to fully ripen. Fully ripened tubers can be stored for up to 5 months.

Ultra early varieties are very popular. Thanks to rapid maturation they allow you to enjoy young potatoes within a month and a half after germination. Their yield is lower compared to late varieties and varies from 1.5 to 4.5 kg per 1 m2, depending on care and watering.

In order to have a fresh harvest throughout the entire gardening season, many vegetable growers and summer residents plant varieties with different terms maturation. When the ultra-early potatoes are already running out, the mid-early ones ripen, and then the late ones, which are stored until the next season.

Ultra early varieties

These varieties give the earliest harvest. From germination to flowering, when young tubers can be tasted, a little more than a month passes.

If you intend to store potatoes, you should wait another 2–3 weeks before digging so that the skins can become stronger.

Table: characteristics of ultra-early potato varieties

Photo gallery: ultra-early potato varieties

Rosara is attractive to the Colorado potato beetle
Impala is resistant to adverse weather conditions
Ariel can produce two or more harvests in one season
Zhukovsky early - high-yielding variety with excellent tuber taste
Prior is resistant to low temperatures
Lapis lazuli quickly forms tubers

Early varieties

Early varieties ripen a little later than ultra-early ones. They can be collected and eaten on average 2 months after germination.

Table: early potato varieties and their characteristics

Photo gallery: early potato varieties

Alena - disease-resistant variety
Luck grows in any soil in any weather
Kamensky is resistant to the Colorado potato beetle
Karatop gives good early harvests

Features of planting early potato varieties

Potatoes begin to be planted en masse in early May, after the end of stable frosts. Planting depth depends on soil type and tuber size. If the soil is light and loose, then potatoes can be planted to a depth of up to 20 cm, in heavy soil - no more than 10 cm. Large tubers are planted deeper, small ones - closer to the surface. In dry areas, planting is deepened even further.

The main condition for starting to sow potatoes is to warm the soil to at least +10 o C to a depth of 10 cm. Otherwise, the tubers will freeze and rot. To the features of disembarkation early potatoes It can be attributed to the fact that only sprouted tubers need to be planted. Otherwise, all technical processes are the same as when growing mid-late and late potato varieties.

Video: preparing tubers

The better the potato tubers are prepared for sowing, the earlier and more fruitful the harvest will be.

You can do this in the following ways:

1. Sprout the potatoes for 25–35 days, spreading them out bright room at a temperature of +12...+15 o C.
2. At the same temperature, germinate the tubers by placing them in boxes with damp peat or sawdust.
3. Germinate seed tubers in plastic bags in a cool room.
4. Dry the tubers at a temperature not lower than +10 o C.

Sprouted potatoes require very careful handling. Planting tubers with damaged sprouts will not yield a harvest.

Strong sprouts on seed potatoes are the key to quick and friendly shoots

Soil preparation

The soil for spring sowing begins to be prepared in September-October. Simultaneously with autumn digging, fertilizers are applied to the soil. Fresh manure that will rot over the winter is suitable. In the spring, it is introduced only when rotted, otherwise the plants will “burn”: when fresh, it emits a large amount of heat. To get rid of the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae, urea or ash is added to the soil. You can add fertilizers during planting. In this case, place at the bottom of the hole onion peel or ash. The main thing is not to overdo it with fertilizers, since not only their deficiency, but also their excess reduces the potato yield.

For potatoes to grow and bear fruit well, they need loose and light soil, which helps saturate the roots with oxygen.

Rocky and dense soil is completely unsuitable for it. Excessive soil moisture causes the development of fungal and bacterial diseases. But on sandy loam, gray forest soils, light loams and drained peat bogs, potatoes will grow well.

Clayey, acidic, sandy soil and salt licks can be used only after improvement. In heavy clay soil add straw humus, sand, turf soil, ash, lime or manure. Rotted straw, peat, organic and quick-acting mineral fertilizers are added to the sandy soil. It would be best to add compost or clay flour to the soil. Sandy loam soils need to be regularly fertilized with compost and peat, as well as mineral fertilizers applied - often, but in small quantities. Loams at autumn processing should be fertilized with organic matter, adding manure and compost.

Photo gallery: organic soil amendments

Rotted manure is the best organic fertilizer
Rotten straw enriches sandy soils with organic matter
Ash helps deoxidize the soil and protects seed material from pests

Planting seedlings

You can plant potatoes in seedlings and get a harvest 2 weeks earlier. At the end of March, you need to start preparing seed material for planting. It is sown at the end of April, and in mid-May the finished seedlings are planted in the ground.

The seedling method allows you to get the harvest earlier

Growing early seedlings has its own characteristics. As the sprouts appear, they will need to be constantly sprinkled with soil until the box is full. Thus, the plant develops a developed root system. When the seedlings reach 15 cm in height, they can be safely planted in the ground, but only in well-warmed soil.

If the seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, the ripening time of the tubers will be further reduced by about two weeks.

Features of growing early potatoes

Since early potatoes have a very short growing season, by the time any infections begin to spread, the crop has already been harvested. Colorado beetle also does not have time to spoil it. Therefore, early potatoes are not exposed to pesticides and chemicals. The main thing that early varieties need is watering and fertilizing.

Fertilize early potato plantings according to their characteristics:

1. Early varieties are saturated with fertilizers applied to the soil much faster than mid-season and late varieties. Therefore, it is best to use easily digestible, quick-acting fertilizers.
2. The addition of humus creates the necessary nutritious, well-balanced environment in the soil. Manure warms and nourishes the soil.
3. Plants provide active growth of green mass nitrogen fertilizing. But excessive growth of green mass also impairs the development of the root system and, accordingly, will reduce the number of tubers.
4. Early varieties need phosphorus fertilizers more than late crops.
5. When feeding potatoes with humus, there is no need for potassium fertilizers. More often potash fertilizers do not have any effect on the yield and quality of fruits.
6. Minerals in fast-acting forms contribute to a quick harvest.

No-till technology

To obtain an early harvest, you can use the no-till method. Its essence is simple:

1. Beds about 4 meters wide and boundaries between them 30 cm wide are marked.
2. Transverse furrows are made in the bed at intervals of 90 cm.
3. Tubers are laid out in grooves at a distance of 25 cm from each other.
4. The stacked tubers are sprinkled with ash and fertilizers and covered with soil on top. The ridges will be higher than with a traditional planting.
5. During the entire period of potato growth, until the tops intertwine, you will need to weed the rows several times.
6. Grown bushes require hilling. During hilling, the soil must be raked from the space between the furrows; in this case, shallow grooves are formed between the rows of hilled bushes.

Photo gallery: no-till method of planting potatoes

The tubers are neatly laid out at a short distance from each other
If necessary, fertilizers are added to the furrows before backfilling.
The soil for hilling is raked from the rows, deepening them

Approximately 10 days before harvesting, it is necessary to cut the tops in half. When harvesting, you need to pull it out, destroying the ridge with movements in the opposite direction from the landing. Thus, the grooves will be half-filled, but noticeable. Next spring potatoes should be planted in them, covering them with soil from the former ridges, which, in turn, will become grooves. This is how the planting rows will change.

Video: how to plant, grow and harvest potatoes using a no-till method

When growing potatoes using this method, moisture in the soil stays longer, fertilizer consumption is reduced and the harvesting process is easier. This method is suitable for small, waterlogged and inconvenient areas.

Growing in open ground

The following are distinguished: traditional ways planting potatoes in the ground:

• trench;
• smooth;
• ridge

Trench is the most suitable method for warm climates, light and sandy soil that does not contain moisture. Dig furrows 10–15 cm deep at a distance of 70 cm from each other. Tubers are placed in them: large ones at a distance of 40 cm, small ones - 30–35 cm.

Trench planting is ideal for regions with hot, dry summers

Smooth planting (under a shovel) is carried out as follows: a hole is dug, a tuber is placed in it with the sprouts facing upward and then sprinkled with soil on top. Plantings are done in checkerboard pattern with an interval of 60–70 cm from each other. The depth of the hole is 10 cm.

Planting under a shovel is the main method practiced by most gardeners.

The ridge method is used on heavy, waterlogged soils. At a distance of 70 cm from each other, ridges 10–15 cm high are created, in which tubers are planted at intervals of 30 cm.

Growing potatoes in ridges saves them from excess moisture

When planting early potatoes, you should follow the following rules:

• Planting should be done in early May;
• For planting, you should choose an area that is sufficiently illuminated, without stagnant water;
• It is better to arrange the rows from north to south;
• As the bushes grow, you need to water, hill up and fertilize.

Hilling is carried out after the first shoots, as well as after watering and rain.

Watering is required several times:

1. Half a month after germination.
2. During flowering.
3. When the ground becomes too dry.

Fertilizing is necessary during the period of increased growth of tops, budding and flowering.

Growing potatoes under cover

You can get an early harvest of potatoes by growing them under film or agrofibre. When covering an area with plantings, favorable conditions are created for rapid growth plants and the development of their root system.

Potatoes under the film have ideal conditions for growth

Under the film, the potatoes will survive frosts well and will grow much better. Tubers under cover usually ripen 2–3 weeks earlier than in unprotected soil.

How to grow early potatoes under film:

1. Draw up a layout of the beds in advance and prepare required amount films.
2. Choose an early variety. Select only large tubers for sowing.
3. Sprout seed potatoes.
4. Protect the potato plot from the winds.
5. Wait until the soil warms up well.
6. Make a film shelter: frame or frameless. When covering seedlings without frames, the film is pressed down with heavy objects so that it is not blown away by the wind. When covering with frames, the film is stretched over arcs.
7. Observe temperature regime. In sunny weather, the soil under the film can warm up to +45 o C, so it is necessary to open the film for ventilation.

When growing potatoes under film, the harvest can be harvested in the second half of May.

Potatoes are grown under agrofibre in the same way. The only difference is that agrofibre, unlike film, allows not only light to pass through, but also air, so it does not have to be opened for ventilation.

In case of sharp drops in temperature, double covering of plants is used: a film is stretched over the fiber.

How to grow early potatoes in a greenhouse

Potatoes always bear fruit well in a greenhouse if the necessary conditions are met.

You can get an early potato harvest when grown in a greenhouse if you follow the following rules:

1. For sowing, you need to select large tubers in mid-November and place them in a place well lit by the sun so that they turn green.
2. When the sprouts reach 1 cm, the tubers need to be transferred to boxes, sprinkled with wet peat or sawdust and taken out for 1-2 weeks in a heated greenhouse. By the time of planting, the tubers should already have formed strong sprouts and root primordia.
3. The holes are dug according to the pattern 70*25, about 8 cm deep.
4. Peat or humus is introduced into the hole, a tuber is placed on top and sprinkled with earth.
5. Watering after planting is not required. The first time you will need to water the potatoes is when sprouts appear and the soil dries out.
6. When the plants begin to bloom, the humidity in the greenhouse will need to be maintained at 80–100%. The air temperature must be regulated as follows: during growth, budding and flowering in the greenhouse it should be +21...+23 o C, with mass formation of tubers +17...+19 o C.
7. Fertilizer feeding is carried out in the same way as in open ground.

When growing potatoes in a greenhouse, they are not exposed to any diseases, and the yield reaches 3.5 kg per 1 m2.

Features of planting and growing in different climatic zones

Growing potatoes in different climatic zones has its own characteristics. In order to avoid making an annoying mistake and not being left without an early harvest, you need to choose varieties suitable for growing in a particular area.

Middle lane

Central Russia is hers European part, characterized by a temperate continental climate, snowy and frosty winters and humid summers. Average daily temperatures throughout the year range from -10 o C to +24 o C. The soils are not very enriched with nutrients. From high humidity Potatoes are often susceptible to diseases. Late varieties do not have time to form fruits. Therefore, for growing here you need to choose early varieties with better adaptation to any type of soil.

In this climate, you can even get two potato crops per season.

Moscow region

The climate of the Moscow region also does not allow the cultivation of late potato varieties, because planting is carried out in late April - early May. Local vegetable growers have to choose from early, mid-early and mid-ripening. It is necessary to grow zoned varieties adapted to local climatic conditions. Since the soil and climate of the Moscow region often cause the spread of potato diseases, you need to choose varieties that have good immunity. Early Zhukovsky is suitable for this region, as it has good disease resistance and can grow in any climatic conditions and on any soil. In addition, the following varieties grow successfully in the Moscow region:

• Gala;
• Nevsky;
• Red Scarlett;
• Rosara;
• Uladar;
• Caprice.

Southern regions

The southern regions are not the most favorable area for growing potatoes due to the too warm climate. Potatoes grow well in moderate humidity and average temperatures. In hot weather, the processes of growth and formation of tubers slow down. The soils in the south are predominantly dense chernozems. They interfere with the normal growth of tubers and cause their deformation. Nevertheless, potatoes are grown quite successfully in the southern regions, choosing varieties that are zoned and well adapted to elevated temperatures and black soil:

• Impala;
• Zhukovsky early;
• Good luck;
• Red Scarlett;
• Dita;
• Rocko;
• Romano;
• Picasso.

Far East

The climate of the Far Eastern region is contrasting, but in general it is too cold for growing potatoes: average daily temperature July is only +11...+13.5 o C. However, the daylight hours are long, in July-August its duration is about 19 hours. Thanks to this, the plants have time to increase green mass and even form tubers, but only ultra-early varieties with the shortest growing season. Growing late potatoes in the Far East is not expected, since the frost-free period here lasts from 52 to 111 days. Suitable for growing in this area:

• Priekulsky early;
• Yenisei;
• Spring;
• Falensky;
• Amur and others.

Central Black Earth Region

The mild climate of the Central Black Earth Region is the most favorable conditions for growing potatoes. 55 varieties of this vegetable are cultivated here. Compared to the Moscow region, the yield here is a third higher. Good weather conditions allow for two harvests per season. And yet, experts recommend growing only zoned varieties to obtain high yields and saving fertilizers and pesticides. The most common varieties here are Red Scarlett, Ramos and Nevsky.

How to harvest two early potato crops

The easiest way to get two harvests a year is as follows: when harvesting early potatoes, the bush is dug up and removed from it large fruits, loosen the ground, make a deeper hole and immediately return it to the ground without violating the integrity of the root system. The soil around the plant is trampled down with your foot. After this, you need to water the bushes with water, or better yet, with mullein solution. When the water is absorbed into the ground, you need to loosen it upper layer. Then the plants require regular care.

The tops should be fresh, without yellowness and any signs of disease. In the first 6-7 days after this procedure, it usually fades a little, but then quickly recovers, taking on its usual healthy appearance.

The second harvest turns out no worse than the first. Repeated harvesting of potatoes begins after the tops die off or die from frost.

Difficult to choose from large quantity just one variety. Therefore, when planting, you need to focus on the varietal characteristics that are priority for you personally, the main advantages and disadvantages, the desired ripening period, and also take into account the requirements for climatic and weather conditions.

preparing for planting in February
When landing in optimal early dates potato yield increases by 25-30%. And vice versa: if you are late with planting for a week or two, its productivity decreases sharply.
In our conditions best time potato planting - the end of the second and third ten days of March, the first ten days of April. The main thing is that as soon as the soil has ripened, that is, at a depth of 10 centimeters it warms up to plus 6-7 degrees (usually at this time the first buds appear on the trees), the potato seeds are planted.
Now is the time to germinate them. This is usually done in a bright, warm room 35-45 days before planting at a temperature of plus 15-17 degrees. And at a temperature of plus 20-25 degrees - in 20-25 days. Tubers are laid out in one layer in boxes, on shelves or on the floor. You can do it in two or three layers. Throughout the entire period, it is necessary to systematically inspect the tubers. In this case, stunted seeds with thread-like sprouts are removed.
If the air in the room is dry, then during the entire germination period you need to moisten the potatoes two or three times. If you want to get the earliest harvest, germinate the planting material in the light for 30-35 days. And after the appearance of green sprouts, another 7-10 days humid environment so that roots form at the base of the eyes.
As soon as they appear, moisten the tubers with a solution of 100 g of superphosphate and 50 g of chloride or potassium sulfate for 10 liters of water. This solution can be replaced with 5 g of boric acid per 10 liters of water. Treat the tubers with the solution mineral fertilizers and before landing. For them it's additional source nutrition, especially needed in initial period growth. For 10 liters of water you need 200 g of ammonium nitrate and superphosphate. Potatoes directly in nets or boxes should be immersed in the solution for one hour. Then dry and plant.
Good results are also obtained by sprouting potatoes in combination with pre-planting dusting with wood ash - 1 kg of ash per 50 kg of tubers. This procedure accelerates the emergence of seedlings, flowering of plants, and the yield increases by 10-15%.
Until recently, it was believed that potatoes were quite tolerant of increased acidity soil. But this is a misconception! It has been established that if potatoes grow in an acidic environment, their yield decreases and they are more susceptible to damage by pests and diseases. It is desirable that the reaction of the soil solution be close to neutral - pH = 6.0-6.5. Acidic soil must be limed when digging - 30-50 kg of fluff lime per hundred square meters.
Organic fertilizers brought in in the fall for digging. Mineral - during planting in spring in a hole or furrow. To do this, add nitroammophoska (one matchbox) and one incomplete glass to one hole wood ash. It should be remembered: excessive doses of mineral fertilizers, especially urea, reduce the yield and starchiness of potatoes.
The best predecessors Potatoes in the beds include carrots, lettuce, spinach, beets, cabbage, and cucumbers. Ideal - clover. This wonderful culture creates in the soil large stock nitrogen in a form that is better absorbed by plants. After harvesting the green mass for hay in the fall, this area is dug up.
The next article will tell you which potato varieties are best to plant here.
Liliya SADCHIKOVA, Head of the Goryacheklyuchevsky department of the FSBI branch

Characteristics of potatoes

Potato variety Kubanka - domestic selection, table. The first tubers ripen 45 days after planting, but maximum yield should be expected at the end of the growing season.

Average from 1 hectare you can harvest up to 220 centners of selected potatoes. The variety is little sensitive to weather changes and tolerates short-term drought, heat, and slight cooling. The yield is stable from year to year, the seed material does not degenerate.

Compare the yield of Kubanka with other varieties using the table data:

The bush is of medium height, intermediate type, erect, not too spreading. The formation of green mass is moderate. The leaves are dark green, medium-sized, with slightly wavy edges.

Large white flowers are collected in compact corollas, berry production is low. About 15 even large tubers are formed under each bush. There are few non-commodity items.

Standard bush care. Tubers should be planted in mid or late spring. With early planting, it is possible to obtain 2 harvests per year.

Diseases and pests

The Kubanka variety is resistant to many dangerous diseases:, golden cyst-forming, common. Early ripening saves tubers and leaves from.

To prevent planting, they are generously sprayed with copper-containing preparations. Adding wood ash to the soil will help prevent the appearance of blackleg. We also suggest that you familiarize yourself with information about potato diseases such as,.

Potato bushes may be affected. In warm regions, plantings are also attacked by cicadas. For prevention, loosening and hilling are recommended; in case of severe damage, industrial ones are used.

Treating the tubers before planting, as well as proper crop rotation, helps prevent wireworms. Every few years, potatoes are planted in new fields that previously occupied