What fertilizers need to be made when planting potatoes?
Potatoes are a common crop, with the proper planting of which with the preparation of the soil, as well as with the appropriate care, it will please you with a decent harvest. It is not always possible to constantly use the wealth of the soil, without compensating for the loss of components in it, which are necessary for the normal growth of various crops, including potatoes. If every year you plant a plot of land with any plants, then the soil will become poorer on it, and therefore it is necessary to periodically restore its properties in order to get a good harvest in the future.
Why do you need feeding?
Experts note that the problem of soil depletion consists not only in the loss of useful elements, but also in the deterioration of acidity. Potatoes will not grow well on acidic soils. There, the yield will be small, and the tubers are small. And also on this basis, the effectiveness of fertilizers will be small.
There are several common ways in which soil acidity can be detected., for example, on beet leaves or in excess of moisture in the soil. Some experts check the acidity of the weeds and their number, which grow on a particular site. In the case when the soil is acidic, it must be deoxidized.
But it is also worth remembering that within the same area on different parts of it the acidity may be unequal. Nevertheless, it is necessary to make deoxidation of the whole area at the same time in order to restore balance on it.
For potatoes, planting acidity also plays an important role. For this you need to pour into the hole nitroammofosku spring. It is also necessary for this appropriate fertilizing the soil with fertilizers. The bulk of the beneficial nutrients for the soil lay in the spring when planting tubers. And also fertilizer can be applied in the fall before processing the soil for the winter.
A prerequisite is the autumn plowing of the earth on the spade bayonet after fertilization. This will help get rid of weed roots in the area. It is also important to treat the soil with lime or wood ash before winter. Such components are scattered on the surface of the site, and then the ground rolls slightly. During the winter the reaction takes place, and therefore the fertilizers mix with the soil and deoxidize it.
Some experts carry out planting siderats for deoxidation. This is an effective method.
Among such cultures can be noted:
- rye;
- sainfoin;
- clover;
- peas and stuff
They accumulate negative elements in the soil. In spring, such plants are removed from the ground immediately after they absorb all negative components from the soil.
Other methods can be applied, for example, scattering horse or cow dung over the plot. In addition to helping to deoxidize the soil, the tools will also improve its structure. The number of components should be 3-6 buckets per hundred. The result of deoxidation will be visible a short time after the first harvest from the site.
When these procedures are performed correctly, the subsequent soil deoxidation should be carried out only after 3 years. But it is necessary to constantly monitor the soil and maintain its acidity, carrying out the necessary procedures, for example, to make ash, flour, or eggshell.
When using sideratov for deoxidation, you need to be careful. The thing is that such plants should not be allowed to grow uncontrollably. They are recommended to be cut in the spring and laid out on the plot as mulch. It will also help to enrich the land with useful elements and not allow it to freeze through in winter. The optimal period of cutting mulch - until the moment when the buds appear on the plants.
What can be fertilized?
The peculiarity of the potato is that it has threadlike and thin roots that can quickly absorb the beneficial components from the earth and transfer them to the tubers or leaves.In order for this to occur efficiently, it is necessary to apply a sufficient amount of dressings in the ground.
If there is no such fertilizer, the harvest can be collected small. Proper use of top dressing makes it possible to increase the yield by 10 or more times, and therefore for the owners the advantages of such operations are obvious.
Today, various types of fertilizing are used, among which one can mention both mineral complexes and chemical fertilizers. The main thing is not to overdo it, and not to put them in large quantities in the hole, and also to combine them together correctly.
It is impossible to say unequivocally that some kind of tool is useful for culture, but some kind of unhealthy. When used properly, they all have their advantages. But if we approach the process unconsciously and without knowledge of the matter, the result may be the opposite of the expected.
Organic
Among the most common organic fertilizers It is recommended to use and apply such:
- manure;
- urea;
- ash;
- onion peel.
The most effective will be the use of combined drugs that complement each other and improve performance.
These fertilizers are the basis of natural farming. They differ in natural composition in contrast to mineral. With timely and sufficient introduction of such dressings in potatoes, the content of starch, protein and vitamins increases. And also this is reflected in the improvement of its taste. When using fertilizers, you must follow the rules for the preparation of both the material and the soil.
Composts
These are vegetable components on the basis of manure to which waste of grass, straw and other is added.
Sawdust
A good remedy that helps to mulch the soil. But they can also be used as a fertilizer, mixing with urea in a ratio of one to three. Such work is usually done in the fall, while adding chalk or ash to the composition.
Ash
Universal remedy that can improve the condition of the soil. You can scatter it on the site both in the fall and immediately before planting potatoes in the wells. Ash can deoxidize the soil, and therefore it can be applied without restrictions on acidic soils. With it, the alkaline environment of the soil is also restored. When the ash is stored, moisture should not be allowed to enter it. This will cause clumping and loss of all nutritional properties.
Litter
Litter can also be used to deoxidize and fertilize the soil. But first it should be diluted in water. As well as ready-made mixtures are sold in stores that need to be diluted in liquid in appropriate proportions before use.
All instructions for such formulations are indicated on the packaging. Litter can be in the form of granules or powder. The composition can be thrown into the wells immediately before planting potatoes in small quantities.
Mineral
They can be complex or one-component. They are a combination of different mixtures. Putting such fertilizers into the ground carefully, as they can have a negative effect if used improperly. All recommendations of the manufacturer are indicated on the packaging, and therefore they must be observed and not to exceed the concentration. If a large amount is applied, the soil will become oversaturated and nitrates will accumulate in the tubers. As a result, the potato will lose its environmental friendliness.
Nitrogen and potassium are the main components of mineral fertilizers. They all dissolve well in water. The main advantage is the strengthening of plants, as well as reducing the likelihood of damage to their diseases. As well as these components can increase yields and improve the taste of potatoes.
Ammonium nitrate is the most common fertilizer. Despite the fact that saltpeter itself is a fairly good and effective fertilizer, it will bring more benefits when used in combination with other drugs that contain phosphorus and potassium.Such fertilizers should be made strictly according to the instructions and in several stages in order not to over-suck the soil and not to harm it.
Complex
These fertilizers are popular with many plants, including potatoes. They are able to provide them with all necessary and useful substances. You can use the drugs at all stages of potato growth, choosing the necessary combinations to ensure a positive result for the growth of potatoes. Currently, there are several types of such additives. They all have in their composition two or more components or trace elements.
Calculation of the required amount
Depending on what kind of fertilizer will be preferred, it is determined and the amount of its introduction into the soil. If it is natural compost, it is necessary to bring it on average in one or two buckets per square meter.
If more is brought in, the plant will not suffer from this, but it will have to be watered periodically to allow all the useful components to be absorbed into the soil. If mineral fertilizers are used, they should also be applied in strict accordance with the recommendations on the package.
These rules are important because with insufficient watering and the introduction of large amounts of nitrate potatoes can burn or, conversely, absorb all the negative substances from the soil and lose their attractiveness in the form of high-quality and environmentally friendly product.
Dry granules and complex solutions can be used not only during planting, but also for sprinkling the area before weeding or before watering. The main thing - do not overdo it.
Nitrogen-based fertilizer is considered the most effective potato crop. A large amount of it is found in manure and ashes. It is important to note that early potato varieties need more of these elements than late ones. This is due to the fact that in early potato varieties the growing season is small and the plants do not have time to accumulate the necessary amount of elements from the soil, and therefore nitrogen will be a good helper for them to grow. Mineral dressing has a quick effect and gives the bushes all the useful elements that they need. It is important to make them in a certain amount in the ground.
During planting we recommend using these types of dressings:
- potassium - 2 kg per 100 square meters;
- nitrate - 1 kg per hundred;
- ash - 5 kg per hundred;
- nitrophosphate - 4 kg per hectare.
In order to correctly determine the norm of the active substance in a nutrient compost, it is necessary to independently calculate the norm using some formulas. And you can also use the calculations and norms that give experts.
For example, organic matter is introduced into the soil with buckets. The weight of one bucket is approximately 5-9 kg. Minerals are added by cups or cans to the water.
One cup includes the amount of fertilizer:
- saltpeter 150 g;
- phosphorus 350 g;
- potassium 190 g;
- superphosphate 200 g;
- lime 120 g;
- bone meal 100 grams.
All these fertilizers can be combined in different variations, but you need to respect the dose.
How to feed?
It is necessary to add and add fertilizers in accordance with the rules that have been indicated above. If you put more ingredients, you can harm both the potato and the soil. It is necessary to make exactly on the basis of the calculation with the specified information on the package. Fertilize the soil in addition, if necessary, at any time, if the lack of nutrients is observed with the growth of potatoes.
But it is also important to pay attention to the factors that affect the yield. Depending on this, you can get a different number of potatoes from the same plot.
Among them are the following factors:
- quality of planting material;
- area of residence;
- watering frequency;
- technology compliance;
- correct processing;
- soil properties;
- pest control effectiveness.
And also some gardeners are interested in the methods of proper fertilizing potatoes.
Today there are two types of them.
- Local. Fertilizer is applied directly near the plants.
- Solid. Useful components are scattered throughout the planting area.
Experts recommend using the first method, as it gives the best result. As a fertilizer, it is necessary to take manure, straw, dung and other organic products. And also do not overdo it with doses.
In the event that fertilizing will not be made on time, then you should not be particularly upset. To do this, you can apply the manure, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 10 and treated the tops.
The best option is feeding watering before hilling the tops. After this procedure, the plant will quickly go up, but after a couple of weeks it needs to be fed again. After the shoot, it is also necessary to fertilize the potatoes. At this time, it will be necessary to apply nitrogen-based products that will strengthen the plants and improve their growth.
After the potatoes are planted, the soil is fertilized, the site owner has a week of rest. During this time, the culture does not need watering, weeding, or feeding. But after that, the time will begin when it will be necessary to spend every day on the plot to get a good harvest.
The bulk of worries occur at this time weeding. This will provide an opportunity to provide oxygen to the roots and reduce the time of emergence. And also these manipulations will help protect the tubers from pests, among which the main ones are the Colorado beetles.
2 weeks after planting the potatoes in the ground it is necessary to dig a little of it with a rake. This does not hurt the potatoes, but will help remove thin weeds on the ground surface. After sprouting, the tubers should be processed and rows between them. This is done after rain, when a dry earth layer prevents air from penetrating to the roots and blocks moisture from entering.
The first tubers are recommended to be sprinkled on top of a little bit of earth after emergence, which will protect them from frost. And also if the greenhouse or the plot is small, then you can use a film that will cover the plants.
Experts say that the optimal temperature for potato growth is +20 degrees. If there is an increase or decrease of this value, then growth slows down, which affects negatively the yield.
Therefore, experienced gardeners plant potatoes on the hills and in a shady place to protect them from the sun. In the case when the summer will be hot, it is necessary to carry out often watering. Tubers should be given an average of 3 liters of water per bush. And also on the tubers mowed grass is laid, which protects from the sun and prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil.
The technology of feeding the potatoes involves the introduction of drugs only in clear weather. This is due to the specificity that relates to photosynthesis. Experts know that the system of potato roots usually develops in the upper layers of the soil, and therefore all fertilizers are recommended to be applied directly into the hole or under the roots themselves.
When foliar fertilizers are used, the treatment of the bushes should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening, as the sun will provoke a quick drying of the mixture, which can cause plant burns. It is not recommended to spray the bushes before the start of precipitation. This will wash away the solution from the leaves.
As you can see, potato fertilizer is a simple process, because it can be produced independently at any time. The main thing is to know at the same time, what doses you can add fertilizers, and when to apply them.
About what fertilizers to use when planting potatoes, see the following video.