What fertilizer is better to use for potatoes?

Anyone who grows different crops in his garden knows that potatoes are a specific crop that requires special care. Due to the weak development of the root system and impressive tubers, the culture constantly needs nutrients.

The problem is that this crop sacrifices its root system, giving all the most useful in tubers. As you know, this is the most important part of the potato as a plant. Various fertilizers are used to stimulate the growth of tubers, which are an important part of the favorable growth and development of potatoes. Thanks to them, you can forget that the potato somehow harms the adverse environment or attacks a dangerous pest. Since the soil loses many nutrients after harvest, it is important to care for it, bringing nutrients to the depleted land when re-planting potatoes. Without them, the harvest will be much poorer, and the tubers - less.

According to experienced gardeners, a full harvest is 4 kg of crops per 1 square. m For this, the soil must contain such a quantity of minerals as:

• 25 g of nitrogen;
• 35 g of potassium oxide;
• 8 g of magnesium;
• 12 g of phosphorus.

As well as an important element of saturated soil is the presence of manganese, copper and zinc. The potato will receive all the elements throughout the entire growth process, as it does not need all at once.

One more important point - the place of planting potatoes can lead to a decrease in yield. It is argued that if every season is planted in the same areas, it will adversely affect the development of the plant. It will become more frequently attacked by pests and diseases. Alas, some lovers of digging in the garden do not have the opportunity to change the planting place, then the only way out is fertilizer. They are always able to help, the main thing is to be able to use them.

The growth and development of potatoes are primarily influenced by two types of fertilizer - mineral and organic. Crops are very responsive, if fertilized with these fertilizers. Complex fertilizer will bring healthy fruits, the amount of which can be considered a full-fledged harvest.

To obtain a generous potato crop, it is necessary to feed it with fertilizers with microelements. They contain many useful components that in no way harm the culture, but, on the contrary, stimulate its growth. Potash, nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers and their mixtures are the standard choice of a professional gardener and a guarantee of a reliable harvest. In addition, there are many other fertilizers with minerals that should be used during the cultivation of this crop. For example, phosphate rock, potassium chloride, ammonium nitrate. Each of them contains a lot of microelements, without which it would not be possible to get a full harvest.

Superphosphate is widely used in agriculture, which is rich in phosphorus, sulfur, and other trace elements. Thanks to him, the growth of foliage is stimulated, and nutrients are retained for a long time in tubers. Fertilizer goes well with phosphate flour, even in acidic soils. However, it is better to use it separately. Its effect is much stronger than with other mineral fertilizers.

Some gardeners believe that mineral fertilizers harm crops, and therefore are supporters of natural and natural. To do this, they use wood ash, which also contains enough minerals. The last time is gaining popularity and the use of green manure.They are used where potatoes have been grown in the same places for several years. Siderats are the perfect predecessors of this crop. It is important to note among them legumes, such as peas, clover and barley. Thanks to them, the soil replenishes the nitrogen reserves and improves its structure.

It is noted that a high yield culture shows after fertilizing it with such mineral complexes as nitrophoska and potato kemira. Fertilizers consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are used in agriculture for growing many other plants and crops. Many believe that the effect will be higher if you use a small amount of each type of fertilizer in the complex, but they are mistaken. This is not so, since the irresponsible use of fertilizers will not bring any benefit to the plant.

Organic fertilizers are also a great way to increase yields. Due to organic matter, the roots easily absorb fertilizers, and it makes inaccessible to those substances that are dangerous for the root system. Humus accumulates in the soil, which improves its physical properties. It will be better to take care of this species in the fall, so as not to lose time in the spring during planting. Then the soil will be prepared, and the chances that the tubers will be larger and tastier will become greater.

Natural fertilizers include the following:

• wood ash very often used by gardeners, because it is the most affordable and common type of fertilizer; it contains many nutrients, promotes healthy growth of tubers, it can be used both in dry form and in solution;
• yeast used to stimulate growth, because they are good activators of root formation, accelerating the appearance of roots by 8-10 days and creating a good growth;
• chicken litter also gained popularity among gardeners due to its concentration and intensive stimulation of potato growth, but it is worth remembering that the use in undiluted form can lead to a burn;
• compost and manure, mixed with sawdust, help the plant to develop normally, because when decomposed, they increase the carbon dioxide content in the air, after which the potato tubers grow seamlessly; Fresh compost, like manure, cannot be applied to potatoes, as it requires two or three years aging; avid gardeners say that annual fertilizer with manure is detrimental because it reduces fertility, so they should be used once for 3-5 years;
• urea contains a large amount of nitrogen, which will be enough for potatoes to show high yields;
• ammonium nitrate similar in function with urea, in addition, it protects plants from many diseases;
• bone flour makes the soil more nutritious and fertile, contains iodine, manganese, iron and cobalt.

After selecting a fertilizer, another important step is to determine its rate of application. Of course, it should be calculated for each plot where you plan to plant potatoes. This will help the level of fertility of the earth, which is the main factor feeding. The future harvest depends not only on the condition of the soil, but also on the climate, proper care and timely treatment of plant diseases. But we are talking about fertilizer, so one hundred square meters of land should be applied about the number of certain types of fertilizers, such as:

• if the soil is fertile, it is better to add 2 kg of compost, 2 kg of superphosphate, 1.5 kg of fertilizers with potassium content;
• if the soil is not fertile enough, the amount of compost, potash fertilizer and superphosphate should be increased by 0.5–1.5 kg, and 2.5 kg of nitrogen fertilizer should be added;
• For soil that is depleted, it is completely barren and contains a small amount of nutrients, up to 100 kg of humus, 0.8–1 kg of ammonium nitrate and about 3 kg of superphosphate are required.

As in other areas of life, gardeners are advised to observe the “middle ground” when using fertilizers. If you overdo the nutrition of young plants, for example, to make an excess amount of potassium, then the tubers will grow small and tasteless, when boiling will not boil well, but the tops will be high and thick.

In addition to the correctly calculated amount of fertilizer, another important step is to accurately determine the timing of the event. There are several stages.

As mentioned above, the earth loses most of the micronutrients after harvest, therefore it is worth taking care of their replenishment in the fall. A qualitative way will be the combination of organic fertilizers. Manure should be used (approximately 5 buckets per 1 sq. M), also enriching the soil with potassium sulfate and phosphorus (15 g per 1 sq. M) and superphosphate (30 g per 1 sq. M). It can be limited to agrochemicals, but under one condition: they are used only in areas where the risk of pest attack is particularly high, and the percentage of pathogens exceeds the norm. Here will help double superphosphate and potash fertilizers, which require as much as possible.

In the autumn, you need to dig deep into the ground, driving the shovel to the full length of the bayonet in order to carry out the procedure as efficiently as possible. If the soil has a high acid content, it can be restored using lime or wood ash, as well as dolomite flour. The first sign of a change in soil pH is the appearance of sorrel or moss in the area. When the field, where the potatoes will continue to grow, will be removed, you can begin to use the green manure.

Many gardeners add fertilizer to the well, planting potatoes in the spring. It turns out that the roots develop in the surface layer of the earth, and do not penetrate inside. The most commonly used wood ash and manure in the form of humus, they fall asleep in each hole individually. Do not use fresh manure to be sure that the plant will rise. Supporters of agrochemicals fertilize the soil with nitrophosphate or bone meal, which can be purchased at a garden store.

Experienced gardeners always spend three additional feeding, which pass on a schedule. The first is carried out after germination, when the tops are actively growing, with the use of nitrogen fertilizers, the second - during the budding and ash is added, and the third - during flowering. The last feeding occurs with the use of superphosphates.

This procedure is usually carried out when the culture has risen and the sprout is 14–20 cm.

It is worth learning more about feedings, which can serve as a factor of a rich harvest in the future. Potatoes during the flowering period need the greatest number of beneficial microelements, therefore it is during this period that the soil suffers from their lack.

When starting fertilizer should be remembered that not all fertilizers will turn out to be obtained by tubers. Some of them will evaporate, others will get weeds or the root system, in general, will not be within reach of fertilizers. To do this, and spend feeding, which will be useful at the beginning of planting and throughout the growth of the crop. There are two technologies - root and foliar dressing. Each method is effective in its own way and has its own ways and subtleties.

Before hilling it is necessary to fertilize each bush. However, for the beginning it is necessary to loosen the soil properly, so that useful substances penetrate to the rhizome of the plant faster. The accelerator in this case will serve as an instant and abundant watering of each bush. Any root dressing will not be superfluous for the favorable development of tubers. It has a positive effect in compliance with the recommendations and the necessary proportions. Fertilizers with a high concentration of active substances will destroy the crop, as they damage the root system.

Among the root dressings, the following are common:

• mineral fertilizers - ammonium nitrate, superphosphates, which are used mainly in the spring;
• urea - it should be made after loosening 0.5 liters of solution for each shoot;
• bird droppings - it is necessary to dilute it with 10 liters of water, then water the grooves between the rows;
• mullein - this suspension is prepared by mixing fresh manure with water, then the solution ferments, after which it is ready for irrigation;
• bio-fertilizer from plants - collecting rotted plants and weeds can also create fertilizer for tubers, all the grass, weeds along with the adhering earth are placed in a container, filled with warm water, stretched with polyethylene and infused for 2 weeks, urea can be added if desired; without diluting anything, it is worth pouring in fertilizer 1 liter for each potato bush, and the ideal time for applying such top dressing is June, when plants lack nitrogen.

At the beginning of planting the plants are fertilized, but some of these fertilizers dissipate with time, so the plants must be fed throughout the growing season. We need to weed the bushes and begin to conduct foliar feeding, which is held in the evening so as not to burn the leaf plates. All nutrients rapidly enter the plant, the activation of metabolic processes begins, thereby accelerating the development of roots. There are four ways of foliar dressing..

• Carbamide. After the emergence of shoots should wait two weeks. To prepare the solution is to take 100 g of urea, 5 g of boric acid and 150 g of monophosphate, which must be diluted in 5 liters of water. The procedure must be repeated once every two weeks.
• Phosphoric. One and a half months before the end of the garden season, when flowering ends, they feed with the help of a solution of superphosphate. It is necessary to dilute 100 g of fertilizer to 10 liters of water.
• Nettle infusion. Nitrogen, calcium, iron - these substances are in the nettle. To prepare the infusion is taken 1 kg of nettle and 3 liters of water, as well as a little laundry soap. The infusion is infused for 24 hours, filtered and then ready for spraying.
• Humates After the appearance of the fourth leaf on the plant, you can proceed to this method of feeding. Like carbamide dressing, it needs to be repeated every two weeks. In garden stores, it is worth buying a special mixture of “Gumat + 7”, 2 g of which is diluted with 10 liters of water.

Potatoes are a responsive culture, albeit a picky one. But all the elements and minerals, which she lacks so much, are contained in quite affordable fertilizers familiar to every gardener. Plant care is simple, you just need to equip with garden tools, means from pests and fertilizers, because they are very important for potatoes.

About how to fertilize potatoes, see the video below.