Tireless gardeners are constantly looking for new methods to increase potato yields. Experiments in growing second bread are yielding good results. And when they manage to collect more than 10 kilograms from a bush, agronomists share their achievements with the world.
A dozen kilos from a bush in a box
Summer residents are trying to grow potatoes in buckets or bags. These methods do not work - the growing container must have no bottom. And here simple boxes made from four boards are perfect. Size - 60 by 60, depth - 30 centimeters.
Medium-sized mother potatoes are germinated in the dark. When the tubers produce 5-6 white roots, they are planted in soil fertilized with compost. Good compost comes from grass clippings that have been processed by industrious worms. To grow one bush, a bucket of compost mixed with ordinary soil from the garden is enough.
All summer the bush is refined, covered with mulch from dried grass and watered. And if late blight appears, add hot grass with an active humus process.
Before harvesting, potatoes are not watered for 2 weeks. The tops dry out, and when they lift the boxes, they find large tubers with a total weight of up to 12 kg.
A rich harvest is due to proper planting, good care and plenty of light. In practice, this method has been proven to work.
Potatoes under straw
When the top layer of the earth warms up to 10–12 degrees, you can plant sprouted potatoes.
The holes are made shallow, the distance between tubers is 15–20 cm, and between the beds - 30 cm. Planting material of the same size is placed in the hole with the roots facing up. To control pests and feed the plant, it is advisable to sprinkle the holes with ash.
The plantings are covered with earth, and then sprinkled with a 10 cm layer of straw. Under such a blanket, the potatoes receive warmth, light and moisture, and the straw serves as fertilizer.
The final stage is abundant watering. The water presses the straw, the soil is moistened, and the desired microclimate is created under the blanket.
The method is effective, has been successfully tested by hardworking summer residents and always pleases the owner with excellent results.
One potato per five holes
The mother potatoes begin to develop eyes and then roots. A large healthy potato has about 10 sprouts. In order not to fall apart the thick tops later, it is better to immediately divide the planting material into parts.
One potato will yield 5-6 pieces with developed roots. Before planting, it is advisable to soak them in EM preparations: Trichodermin, Fitosporin or Phytodoctor. Such treatment will get rid of diseases and protect against pests, and a healthy harvest will feed and provide super-elite for future seedlings.
Before planting, it is advisable to treat the holes with biological products without chemicals - Entocide or Boverin, and give the tubers good feeding in the form of organic fertilizers. One-eyed plants can be planted after 15 cm, and with 2-3 roots - after 20-25 cm.
A flat cutter will help cover the plantings with soil, and skillful hands will cover the bed with dried grass.
Young shoots must be carefully mulched.In case of unexpected cold weather, cover the plantings with agrofibre.
The earth will definitely thank you for your efforts with good shoots. With proper care, you can get an average of 20 healthy tubers from a quarter of a potato, which is 3-4 kg of tasty potatoes.
