Planting potatoes in the suburbs

The Moscow region belongs to the Central zone of Russia, where there is a temperate continental climate. The conditions are characterized by snowy winters with frost and warm, moderately humid summers. The cultivation of garden crops takes place here with features corresponding to these natural parameters. The choice of variety, method and timing of potato tubers ripening are important. There is also a specificity regarding pests in a given area.

About planting potatoes

Almost all summer residents try to grow potato gardening on their plots. When cultivating it in the Moscow region, it is necessary to control the temperature, as well as a number of other factors, since this vegetable is very capricious to care for. Agriculture near Moscow is associated with climate-dependent risks. Not all varieties are applicable, only super-early and early ones are suitable, since late potatoes do not have time to ripen.

Sowing dates

"Zhukovsky early" belongs to the ultra-early potato. Early varieties – this is:

• Provento;
• Favorite;
• Luck;
• Wizard;
• Sineglazka.

The late ones will also do: Lorkh, Leader. All of these types are for dining purposes. These varieties are distinguished by high yields and stable preservation.

Planting potatoes in the suburbs

Planting potatoes in the suburbs is carried out in terms of the main factor - heating the soil. They can only be indicated approximately. It is spring when the sun heats up the earth: from late April to early May. But even then it is necessary to warm the soil by 8 ° C to a depth of 10 or 15 cm. In this case, the frosts should end, but high humidity is still present. The condition of the soil is the first factor that is taken into account regarding the timing of planting potatoes in the Moscow region.

How to plant

To plant a crop, they choose a sunny plot of the garden. There should be no shade or trees nearby. Lowlands are not favorable due to excessive soil moisture. Having decided on the place, they calculate the size of the sowing area that will have to be processed.

The soil

When choosing a place in the garden, you need to keep in mind the crops that grew here earlier, last year. It is unfavorable to place potatoes after itself, tomatoes or peppers. But instead of legumes, cucumbers and cabbage, the culture will grow well. A decent harvest can be obtained on sandy loam and loamy soils.

Stages

Consider the steps that require planting potatoes:

1. Preparations to be carried out in the fall after harvesting. Having dug up the earth to the depth of the shovel bayonet, you need to add humus or compost, as well as ash. For 1 sq. meter distribute 10 kg of humus and 1 liter of ash. Fresh manure is not recommended;
2. Spring preparation of landings involves loosening 15 cm with a pitchfork without turning the layers;
3. Planting material is prepared for the deadline, germinating it, and also greening in the light for up to 15 days;
4. Vernalization (or germination) is done by placing root crops under lighting and temperatures up to 18 ° C indoors for up to 9 days, and then moving them to cool;
5. When a week remains before planting, the material is again placed in the basement at 8 ° C;
6. 3 days before disembarkation, treatment is done with a spray bottle and nutrient solution;
7. The day before, a pest repellent is used.

There are several known methods of making a landing, differing in scheme. The method is chosen, depending on the parameters:

• type of soil;
• its moisture content;
• convenience for gardeners;
• other factors.

Which method to choose

The landing technologies are as follows:

• Row method. Make a gap of 0.6 m between the rows;
• The smooth method is shoveling. The square-socket technology is very old and labor-intensive;
• Ridge - for clay soil, which poorly permeates water and air, and also has excessive moisture. Landings are carried out in long rows across the entire width of the site. Every 15 or 20 cm, material is laid out, on which a comb is made up to 25 cm and poured in height for 5 days. Warming up of the soil is provided, moisture is maintained, there are no weeds;
• Ridge - for the same soils, with the formation of 2 + 2 + 2 (2 rows), to a height of 20 cm. Sprouted tubers are planted, which are immediately covered with earth. At the same time, there is moisture, the air circulates, it is easy to harvest.

Potatoes are planted in the hole

Agricultural technology of cultivation

After planting according to a specific method, the crop requires maintenance. Features depend on the technology chosen. But in all cases, you need:

• watering;
• hilling;
• weeding;
• feeding;
• measures against pests.

When watering potatoes, planted by ridge or bed methods, water is supplied between the rows. With an even planting, it is poured into holes or in a continuous manner. The frequency is chosen, depending on the presence of precipitation. If the summer is dry, wait a third week after germination and set watering in a day. In the normal summer period, with precipitation, the soil is expected to dry. It is very important to water the plants when setting and growing tubers.

The soil is loosened by harrowing, for the first time doing this 6 days after planting, and then every 5 days until shoots appear, then 2 more times. After that, the soil is simply loosened after the rain when it dries up, and sprouts of 14 cm are piled up and again tops. Weeding is combined with these procedures.

Weeding potatoes with a walk-behind tractor

Before hilling and loosening, feed the crop twice:

• For the first time, when the potatoes rise, you need to pour 2 tsp under the bush. ammonium nitrate with 2 handfuls of humus or ash with earth, 1: 1;
• Again - during the flowering period, the solution is poured under the root, and then watering is done. For 10 liters of water you need 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 1 tbsp. l. nitrophosphate.

At the end of flowering, no fertilizing is done.

Diseases and pests

Growing crops requires pest protection that all parts of the plant need. Especially dangerous:

• Colorado beetle;
• wireworm;
• nematode;
• bear.

In total, up to 60 pests are known. They use biological and chemical agents, the first of which are gentle and safe for people.

The planting site is planted with repellent plants. For example, this is wormwood or marigolds. Spraying with infusion of tomato tops, garlic, wormwood is carried out. Biological preparations are Aktofit, Bicol, Lepidocid and some others. Chemistry acts faster with great effect, but it should be applied with caution before the tubers set. In this case, the instructions must be applied.

you need to follow the instructions

Cleaning and storage

The beginning of the harvesting period in the Moscow region falls on mid-July or early August. You need to dig up the potatoes, sort and process them for storage. To do this, they dig in a garden bed, rake and take out tubers.

Sorting a vegetable involves dividing it into sowing and edible. Small potatoes, a group of damaged and diseased tubers are also separated. If there are several varieties, they are also divided according to this principle, since there are differences in storage conditions. Processing consists in drying away from sunlight. During storage, the crop is harvested in a cellar or other ventilated room, placing it in boxes. Dampness is unacceptable, and the temperature is needed at a level not lower than + 4 ° C. Periodically, the tubers are sorted out.

When growing potatoes according to appropriate technology conditions, you can get a high yield with little labor. It is important to observe the correct potato season when planting and harvesting. The Moscow region requires early varieties. Many dishes can be prepared from them.

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