When, how much and how to water potatoes correctly: tips and rules

Do I need to water potatoes?

The roots of this plant are powerful, but not too long: on average they penetrate the soil 30 centimeters. It is quite difficult to extract liquid from such a layer on your own, so the soil must be well moistened. Some can be obtained during rain, but in dry times it is especially important to water the beds. This is typical for all potato varieties: both early and those that ripen later. You can control the condition of the bushes by external signs.

Despite the fact that potatoes seem to be a rather dry fruit, the plant has abundant green tops, which need water for good metabolism and photosynthesis. And the seemingly dense tubers actually contain a lot of juice. If there is little water in the soil, then potato tops, like a weed, begin to draw nutrients from the root part, making the tubers sluggish and small. A lack of moisture can lead to a slowdown and sometimes even a complete stop of growth. Therefore, watering is very important for the crop.

Important! After growth stops, even if watering is resumed, the potatoes may not begin to develop properly. The tubers will grow unevenly and may become deformed as a result.

Under favorable conditions, some varieties grow well without watering. To do this, read the information on a specific variety, take into account the climate of the region, the condition of the soil, and the amount of rain. You can retain moisture in the soil and reduce the amount of watering by mulching. This procedure, as it were, preserves part of the soil and allows you to forget about water for a while.

If it often rains in your region, then you don’t have to water the soil, but simply loosen it. Mix wet layers with dry ones so that the soil is thoroughly saturated. Loosening improves aeration and helps roots extract nutrients from the soil. At the same time, the land must be fertile and saturated: sandy soils must be watered. The main thing is that the soil layer is moistened to a depth of 5 to 7 centimeters, then you don’t have to worry about the potatoes.

Like other vegetables, potatoes are sensitive to sudden changes in humidity. Try to match the conditions to the climate of the region. In some areas, watering is necessary, but in others it can even be harmful due to the accumulation of liquid. So the question of whether you need to water potatoes depends on the soil and climate in your region.

Reviews from gardeners

Mikhail, Moscow

Water the potatoes generously to wet the soil down to the roots (young nodules) every 7-10 days. And if you water it once every two days, then of course everything will go into the tops. And after abundant watering, it’s better to hill up at the same time and you’ll have a blast.

Source: www.mastergrad.com

Semyon, Grodno

Drip irrigation is a completely different matter! Within 3 hours of running the drip tape, the soil becomes moist at a depth of about 30 cm, and a wet spot (not jelly!) the size of a palm is formed on the soil surface! No crusting, no silting! The soil seems to swell, and by the end of the season a small bump forms under the tape.

Source: www.forumhouse.ru

Watering potatoes: timing

Immediately after planting the crop in the beds, watering is not required. The soil still retained some moisture from the cold season. The liquid will last for a long time: until the tops grow by 10-12 centimeters, you don’t have to think about watering. Potatoes will draw moisture from the ground and air if the climate allows. The need for liquid increases sharply during the period of active growth of greenery: that’s when you should start watering the crops.

Water is especially important:

• two weeks after planting, during the active phase of the growing season;
• after the formation of the first inflorescences, when tubers form;
• when gaining weight in potatoes.

Five weeks after the sprouts peck, the plants begin to experience a lack of fluid. Water is required to saturate the fruits, form buds, and strengthen the root system. Watering potatoes during flowering is especially important. During this period, you will need from 4 to 12 liters of water for each bush. The irrigation rate depends on the condition of the beds and the outside temperature. Active growth of tubers usually begins between the 10th and 20th of August. The time will vary, the landing date and climate are important.

Important!

For watering, use only water at room temperature. If necessary, leave it in containers until it warms up. Liquid that is too cold can reduce immunity and lead to rotting.

You need to stop abundant watering when the tops gradually begin to dry out. If everything else is fine with the plant, then this signals imminent ripening. Excess moisture is no longer needed at this stage, so reduce it to a minimum. 2 weeks before harvesting, you can completely stop watering the potatoes.

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Features and technology of growing potatoes in bags Potatoes are grown everywhere, but there are plots of land where it is very difficult to get at least some...Read more...

The essence of the method for growing potatoes in a bag or sack

Container for planting potatoes

The essence of the method is planting in a closed, high container, which can be used as:

• Plastic garbage bags with a volume of 80-120 liters or more.
• Bags for storing sugar, potatoes, etc.
• Special container bags that are sold in garden centers. They come in simple, essentially ordinary bags, bags with handles, and the coolest and most expensive ones are crayons with handles and a door at the bottom for collecting potatoes!!!
• Any plastic container with a volume of at least 50 liters.
• A regular metal or plastic water barrel.
• Wooden or plastic box. If it is a light box for storing vegetables, then you can put a bag inside.
• and other options not much different from the previous ones.

The main thing is that the container must be permeable so that excess water can escape. Potatoes don't like growing in swamps!

Planting potatoes

If you plan to plant potatoes in a soft bag, then roll up its sides with a roller, this will make it more convenient for you to work.

Place soil 15-20 cm high at the bottom and place potatoes on the soil. It is recommended to put 3-4 potatoes per bag with a volume of 100 liters or more. Cover them with soil on top and water them.

Planting potatoes in bags

Place the bag with the planted potatoes in a sunny place. Try to choose a place so that the bag does not have to be touched or moved. It must stand securely.

Water the potatoes and wait.

AH NO! you don’t need to do practically anything with ordinary potatoes... well, there’s weeding, hilling and fighting the Colorado potato beetle...

And this one still needs care! Like any plants in a container, it requires watering, fertilizing, and also adding soil as the potatoes grow. Well, this is an option for hilling.

So what's the result? Will there be a potato harvest?

There will be, but not much more than when landing. You plant 3-4 tubers and collect a dozen. BUT! How to easily dig potatoes: turn the bag over and harvest the crop.

Potatoes in special bags

So, the advantages of the method:

• Looks funny. For those who want to try everything, you can try it.
• Easy to harvest.
• No need to weed.
• The soil in the container is warmer, and the awakening of the tuber eyes begins at a temperature of about +5°C; when planting potatoes in soil heated below +6°C, the germination process stops.

Disadvantages of methods:

• Attentive constant care is required: spilling, fertilizing, adding soil. For example, in the early stages, potatoes are not very demanding when it comes to watering, but excess moisture can destroy them. In general, the optimal humidity for potatoes is considered to be around 70-80%. And for normal growth and development, potatoes need more nutrients than many other field crops.
• The yield is often less than when planted in regular soil.

So, a little conclusion:

The potato yield depends not on the method of planting, but on the method of germination. The tubers grow on stolons, which grow on WHITE seedlings. Tubers do not form on green stems! Therefore, it is useless to cover green sprouts (shoots with leaves) of potatoes with soil. How it is recommended to do this when planting in bags: the general recommendation is “add more soil as the potato shoots grow.”

How often to water potatoes in open ground

At each stage, watering plays its role. Moistening during planting allows the first shoots to emerge faster and promotes the development of the green part. When flowering, a sufficient amount of water increases productivity: the plant has the strength and resources to form tubers. At later stages, moisture improves the condition of the tubers, making them richer and larger.

In comfortable and favorable conditions, one watering every 10 days is sufficient. During this period, the average amount of water is 8-12 liters. When the first signs of drying appear, the amount of water can be increased. The main thing is not to overwater the potatoes: this will also harm them. When tubers begin to form, add a few more liters and water a couple of times a week.

Plants always need moisture, but especially during hot and dry periods. The lack of rain deprives the soil of moisture, and the plants are just entering the active phase of fruit formation. In direct sunlight and high temperatures, the liquid evaporates much faster. Therefore, you need to water the beds regularly. Water your crops every five days or more often. Focus on the soil: it should be moist throughout the top layer. Water the plants in the evening or morning.

Requirements for soil water regime

Compliance with the water regime of the soil is a guarantee of obtaining a quality product. After all, interruptions in moisture first stop the development of the potato, and then start this process. Under such conditions, the entire crop yield will account for a significant portion of uneven and misshapen tubers.

How often to water potato plantings depends primarily on soil moisture. It is important that it is not the surface that is dry, but the lower layers of the soil.

You can find out whether the soil is dry and whether it needs to be watered in a simple way: by lowering your hand down to the base of your palm. If there is enough humidity, your fingertips will be a little wet. If they are dry, then there is a need for water.

Early potatoes

Early varieties require special conditions because they grow faster. Lack of moisture can be disastrous for them: the yield and size of the tubers are sharply reduced. Monitor the growing season and replenish the lack of substances on time. Then even the earliest potato varieties will grow without loss.

The frequency of watering for early-ripening potatoes will be higher, and the amount of liquid will be less. Do not allow the soil to become dry, otherwise the tubers may simply not have time to form. Bushes require the most moisture during flowering and fruit formation. Any watering method is suitable: from irrigation or automatic watering system to classic root irrigation. Early varieties are best grown in prepared soil. The lack of nutrients can be made up for with fertilizers and the plants can be sprayed with special solutions with added minerals.

Signs of excess and deficiency of water

All errors in watering affect the condition of the bushes. Problems manifest themselves externally, so inspect your plants regularly to prevent unpleasant consequences. Both a lack of water and its excess are harmful. In the first case, you will get shriveled, flaccid fruits, in the second, watery or even diseased ones. In case of deficiency:

• the growth process slows down;
• the leaves lighten and begin to fall;
• potatoes don't bloom;
• the buds remain unopened;
• the stems weaken and dry out.

Excess water is more difficult to notice. Most often, at an advanced stage, tubers begin to rot, and potatoes are affected by diseases and fungal infections. But here, too, there are common external signs that will help recognize the problem:

• watery foliage;
• the appearance of spots near the stem;
• development and spread of the fungus;
• darkening of the lower part of the leaves near the ground.

Important!

To test the soil, stick your hand into the soil next to the bush. If you feel dry, water more often and increase the amount of water.

Types of irrigation

You can moisten crops in different ways. Water at the roots or furrows, irrigate the beds. Dry watering, loosening the soil or mulching with organic and inorganic materials will help preserve moisture in difficult conditions. You need to choose a method based on the amount of precipitation, the size of the garden and the possibilities for watering. If you often leave and cannot regularly check the condition of the soil, mulch it or install an automatic system.

Root

A classic method suitable for small planting areas. Its main advantage: it is completely manual and individual, so you can personally control the amount of liquid for each plant, assessing its condition. In large areas this approach is practically not used. Try not to flood the stem and leaves, moistening only the soil. There is no need to water potatoes often: it can only do harm.

Grooves

In large areas, households often use the furrow method. Water is poured into deep channels between the beds, blocking the outlet so that the liquid does not spill throughout the garden. After a couple of days, the soil is loosened in washed-out areas. Water consumption is high, but you don’t have to worry about watering for a long time: the soil will be moistened gradually. Watering potatoes in this way is well suited for the middle phase of growth, until the plant has finished forming fruits. Further excess moisture will harm.

Spraying and drops

To save water, methods that simulate rain are used. The stream is made very weak, and a nozzle is often used that disperses water in the manner of a shower. This method is gentle on the root system and does not wash away the soil. It is important to loosen the soil regularly, otherwise the layer will become too dense. You can easily overdo it with the amount of water, which will lead to the development of fungus and infections. And do not water potatoes with cold water: this will reduce their resistance to diseases.

Automated drip irrigation is economical and practical. The irrigation system allows you to keep the soil moisture level normal, but the installations are expensive, so they are often used only on large farms. Watering potatoes by sprinkling is the closest to natural method. You can use it after flowering to maintain humidity at the desired level.

Important!

Using salt water you can fight insect pests in the garden. The main thing is not to overdo it with the amount: a large amount of salt draws out the liquid.

Dry watering

This method consists of loosening and hilling. This improves soil aeration and saturates the soil with air. Regular loosening is beneficial for the root system, which ultimately leads to an improvement in the condition of the entire plant. To get the effect, you need to follow several rules:

1. Hill up the beds immediately after the first moistening.
2. Cover the regrown part of the potato completely with soil.
3. You need to do this three times before the flowers appear.
4. After flowering, be sure to loosen the space between the rows without damaging the growing tubers.

Dry watering is more of an addition to care. To grow a good harvest, water your potatoes properly at least several times after you plant them.

Mulching

If you rarely appear at the dacha and cannot water the plants regularly, mulch the soil. This will help keep the soil moist. Organic matter is good for covering crops. Straw or sawdust will have the desired effect. When rotted, such mulch becomes humus, additionally moistening the soil. The straw can be easily moved aside to check the condition of the soil. If you notice that it is losing moisture, water the beds.

The question of whether potatoes need to be watered is quite controversial. It all depends on the climate, region, soil temperature and its composition. In some regions, watering is required regularly; without it, potatoes simply will not germinate. And in others, dry watering or natural moisture from regular rains is sufficient. You can balance the amount of moisture by mulching. The protective layer will not only keep the soil moist for a long time, but will also increase the nutritional value of the soil. There is no need to water the potatoes after planting. It is optimal to do this several times a season, after the first leaves hatch.

Agricultural technology at a summer cottage

Growing potatoes in open ground begins even before the first shoots appear. First you should:

1. preparing the soil for planting;
2. germination of tubers;
3. direct planting in the ground;
4. watering;
5. eliminating weeds, loosening the soil;
6. feeding;
7. hilling;
8. treating bushes from pests.

Routing

In order for these types of work to bring results even on scarce land, special agrotechnical complexes are created.

They include:

• types of work performed;
• units;
• the number of personnel involved in a particular operation;
• hourly productivity;
• plan with calendar dates;
• expenses.

It is clear that such technological maps are used in agricultural enterprises. They allow you to take into account all possible nuances of vegetable cutting technology. It also makes it easy to calculate income, minimize expenses, and increase productivity.

Greenhouse care

In the spring, to quickly warm up the soil, it is recommended to put plastic film on the beds, or simply cover them with agrofibre. This technique is used before planting the root crop, and after that you can protect the young shoots from night frosts. To do this, place arcs and stretch the film, the ends are pressed tightly to the ground. On cold nights, such a shelter will help protect the crop.

In hot weather, it is better to remove the film so as not to cause thermal burns, but agrofibre does not require ventilation, it easily allows sunlight and air to pass through

It is important to remember that temperature is not as important for potatoes as sunlight is. Growing potatoes in stationary greenhouses with heating and lighting is not economically profitable

Planting with a walk-behind tractor

There are two ways to use the mechanism: using a hiller or a mounted potato planter. The options are quite in demand among summer residents. The hiller method is more suitable for small areas and is much cheaper. For the second, the opposite is true.

Before planting potatoes, you need to loosen the soil and then make furrows; they need to be made as even as possible. The distance between the previous and next trench is 60 cm. And then the potatoes are placed into the holes manually.

This method saves a lot of effort and energy, because all the work is done automatically. And also the advantage of planting with a walk-behind tractor is a good and high-quality harvest, without mechanical damage.

Watch a video about how to properly plant potatoes using a walk-behind tractor:

Features of cultivation

The table below provides general information about which agricultural practices and in what sequence must be followed when using modern technologies for cultivating vegetables in the fields.