Potato ripening and harvesting dates
To ensure that the time and energy spent on caring for potatoes is not wasted, the harvest must be harvested on time.
Here it is very important to correctly calculate the timing of potato harvesting: tubers dug up too early, due to too thin and fragile skins, will deteriorate and will not last until spring. Potatoes left in the ground longer than necessary to ripen will most likely begin to rot from the inside. If, before digging, heavy rains begin or frosts strike, you can say goodbye to the grown tubers. Factors influencing potato ripening:
Variety According to ripening time, potato varieties are divided into:
When choosing a potato variety, gardeners usually focus on the climatic conditions of their region. If persistent frosts in a given area occur earlier than the expected ripening period of potatoes, it simply does not make sense to grow such a variety.
Climatic conditions. In hot weather, without watering, potatoes ripen faster. If the summer is cool and rainy, the tubers ripen longer, although they may begin to rot.
Soil fertility. In fertile soil, potatoes take longer to ripen, but grow larger. Therefore, in well-fertilized areas, harvesting begins later. If nitrogen fertilizers were used on the site, it is better to hesitate with digging up the tubers. To prevent rot, such fertilizers should not be abused.
How to choose the right time to harvest potatoes
Potatoes are considered to be ripe when 60–70% of the tops have fallen and dried out. However, there are exceptions to this rule: the tops of some varieties turn green until late autumn, despite the fact that the tubers have long ripened. In addition, the tops may die prematurely due to illness.
In order to accurately determine the timing of potato harvesting, it is necessary to periodically dig up one bush in different places in the area and evaluate the condition of the peel by eye. Young tubers cannot be stored for long: they are best eaten.
Potatoes of the most common mid-early and mid-ripening varieties in Russia ripen approximately 40–45 days after flowering. In different regions, potatoes are dug from mid-August to the end of September.
When deciding when to dig potatoes, you should focus on the weather forecast: if prolonged rains or frosts are expected, it is better to dig up the tubers a little sooner than later to collect them rotten, with stuck clods of earth.
If the tops have not dried out, then they need to be mowed approximately 2-3 weeks (at least a week) before harvesting the potatoes. This is necessary so that the skins of the tubers in the ground ripen. In addition, green tops can draw useful substances from potatoes, as a result the pulp will become less tasty.
It is better to harvest on a dry, clear day, closer to noon, when the air warms up to at least +10°C, otherwise a sharp difference between the temperature of the soil and the air can negatively affect the condition of the tubers. The optimal temperature for digging potatoes is from +10 to +17°C.
Potatoes that are ready for harvesting have a fairly rough skin, this is the main sign of readiness
When to start digging potatoes in different regions of Russia
Most of Russia's territory is located in the zone of risky agriculture. Therefore, you need to choose a potato variety very carefully, giving preference to zoned varieties. True, there are varieties that are universal. Thus, according to statistics, almost 70% of owners of household plots located from Kuban to the Far East plant potatoes of the early Zhukovsky variety on their plots, which are characterized by high yield and resistance to weather conditions. Its only drawback is that the tubers begin to germinate at the slightest increase in temperature in the storage. If the autumn is warm, and the gardener delays harvesting, the potatoes may still germinate in the ground.
Potato harvest in central Russia
In the north of central Russia, frosts begin in the third ten days of September. Accordingly, it is better to harvest potatoes before mid-September. Although growing late varieties in such conditions is very risky, skilled summer residents are not afraid of difficulties: the mid-late varieties Pobeda, Nakra, Altair, Fambo are very popular. Of the early varieties that can be harvested at the end of August - beginning of September, home gardeners prefer Bashkir, Bellarosa, Nora, and Rosara.
In the south of central Russia, frosts occur later, at the beginning of October. The climate here is milder, so you can grow any variety of potatoes, even the latest ones. Of the late varieties, the varieties of Belarusian selection most loved by gardeners are Belorussky 3 and Lasunak, and of the mid-late varieties - Lorch, Mozart, Pobeda, Golubizna.
Potato harvest in Kuban
The southern regions have their own specifics. Here they pay more attention not to frost, but to the summer heat. From about mid-July, the temperature rises so much that potatoes in the ground stop growing. Therefore, in the south of Russia it is profitable to plant early and mid-early varieties that ripen before the end of July.
It has been experimentally established that the same Zhukovsky produces high yields only in the first year, then the variety degenerates, losing resistance to heat. But in these climatic conditions, the early varieties Cleopatra and Skoroplodny, as well as the mid-early ones: Svitanok Kyiv, Cardinal, Raj and Reserve, performed well. And Arrow is recognized as the most delicious of the early varieties grown in the Kuban.
Potato harvest in Crimea
Although the first frosts in Crimea begin only at the end of October, due to the hot climate here, as in Kuban, it is more profitable to grow early varieties. Crimean breeders specially developed a heat-resistant Crimean rose variety, ideal for local conditions.
If irrigation is organized on the site, then the heat-resistant early varieties Agave, Tiras, Laura, Arosa can produce two harvests per season in Crimean conditions: the first is harvested in June, the second in early October.
Potato harvest in the Urals and Siberia
In the Urals and Siberia, frosts begin in the second ten days of September. The climate is characterized by late spring frosts, possible July drought and heavy rains in August. Therefore, it is least risky to grow early and mid-early varieties, which can be harvested in the second or third ten days of August. The most common varieties here are Lugovskoy, Udacha (both frost- and drought-resistant), and Redstar.
Hilling up potatoes
Potatoes, like all members of the nightshade family, love hilling (raking soil up to the stolons). The purpose of this procedure is to stimulate the growth of new shoots, loosen the soil around the bushes, and saturate the soil with oxygen. All this ultimately leads to an increase in potato yield.
The first hilling is carried out when green shoots appear from the ground to a height of 10 cm, approximately 30-40 days after planting. The second hilling is carried out 2-3 weeks after the first. The procedure is carried out using a hand hoe, hiller or cultivator, as well as using motorized equipment. During hilling, the potatoes are weeded, removing weeds.
Potato variety Krymchatka. Description
Crimean weed is grown mainly in the southern regions of Ukraine, in Crimea. The variety has massive bushes with thick trunks and large leaves, blooms profusely with red-violet flowers. The Crimean woman's balls are round-oval with smooth pink skin and shallow eyes, with expressive “eyebrows”.
The pulp is snow-white and quite tasty, although the starch content is average. In terms of yield, the variety is classified as average, but the keeping quality of the tubers is excellent. The Crimean woman is resistant to cancer, but suffers from late blight and viral diseases. You see, in principle, there is nothing famous about this potato variety, but gardeners love it very much for its early harvest.
High-yield potato cultivation. Personal experience.
March 28, 2014.
My name is Semyon. I am from the city of Sevastopol, which is located in Crimea. Having an interest in growing potatoes, as well as a small summer cottage and a website dedicated to growing potatoes. I decided to conduct an experiment. The essence of the experiment is as follows. Plant potatoes and grow them in three different ways.
The first method is to plant potatoes in compost trenches. The second method is to grow potatoes in narrow ridges according to Mittleider. The third method is growing under compost (hay, straw, grass, etc.).
Let's look at each method separately.
1) Planting potatoes in compost trenches. In the fall, trenches are dug 30 cm wide and 40 cm deep (that’s about two shovels). The distance between the trenches is 80-90 cm. Throughout the fall, the trenches are filled with plant debris, leaves, and household food waste. It’s good if you fill the trenches with green manure crops. And leave it until spring, let it overheat.
This is an algorithm of actions. I started writing this article on March 28, 2014. In the fall, I dug five such trenches and filled them with leaves, plant debris, and small brushwood as much as possible.
In November I sprinkled it lightly with soil. In March, at the site of future planting, I sprinkled the mineral fertilizer nitroammaphoska at the rate of 20 grams per 1 square meter and dug it up. I planted two types of potatoes: Slavyanka and Crimean Rozovaya. Pre-sprouted potatoes were laid out in trenches at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other and sprinkled with earth, 5-8 cm on top of the tuber. It turned out there were 10 potato tubers in each trench. The first four trenches are the Slavyanka variety. Fifth – Crimean Pink. Potatoes were planted on March 26, 2014.
2) Growing potatoes in narrow ridges according to Mittleider.
Only a narrow bed was taken from Mitlider’s method. I formed a bed with a width of 45-50 cm. The width of the passage was about 60 cm. I did it by eye. The bed was also fertilized with nitroammaphos. The tubers were planted in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 30 cm from each other. The first bed is the Slavyanka variety 20 pcs. Second Crimean Pink – 19 pcs.
3) Growing under compost (hay, straw, grass, etc.)
The logic of the technique is that the tuber is not buried, but covered with a thick layer of straw. Straw, rotting, provides fertilizer to the tubers. Straw retains the moisture that the tubers need so much. Straw helps create a favorable air cushion.
I made two beds using the Mittleider method. I sprinkled the bed with nitroammaphoska. The tubers were laid out in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Each tuber was sprinkled with a handful of earth so that there was about 5 cm of earth above it. And he covered the beds with mulch, leaves, and brushwood. Thickness 10-15 cm. First bed Crimean Pink variety 25 pcs. The second is Slavyanka, also 25 pcs.
An interesting way to grow potatoes when planting space is limited. | Crimean grapes
To do this, take a tall container - iron, plastic, wood - it doesn’t matter what, the main thing is that it is without a bottom and with holes made around the circumference so that the soil has the opportunity to breathe and water does not stagnate at the bottom.
This method has a long history. Once a peasant, preparing compost in an old barrel, dropped a potato tuber into it, which sprouted after a while. The stems were again covered with another portion of waste. When the container was full, a potato bush grew on it.
In the fall, the peasant decided to pull it out, but that was not the case. The stems went deep into the compost and were covered with garlands of tubers. He ended up collecting about a bag of potatoes.
Gradually this method was improved. At first they made do with one tuber. It was placed at the bottom of the container, lined with a layer of compost 5-6 cm thick and 9-10 cm of compost sprinkled on top. When the seedlings reached 2-3 cm, they were sprinkled again in the same way. And this was repeated several times. By the end of the growing season, there were already many tubers of various sizes in the barrel.
Later they began to arrange the tubers in a checkerboard pattern. When the shoots appeared, they were covered with the same layer of compost and tubers were planted on top again. This operation was repeated 4-5 times, the plants were hilled up as necessary. The harvest was harvested gradually, starting from the last planting date.
Potatoes are planted (since they do not form stepsons) approximately every 20 cm, and if the growing container is round in cross-section, we plant it along the diameter, but if it is square, in a checkerboard pattern.
There will be a lot of tubers planted, so the holes made in the sides of the barrel are clearly not enough to supply oxygen to the root system of all plants. To avoid oxygen starvation in the root zone, it is necessary to lay a rubber hose at the bottom of the barrel, coiled in a spiral so that the distance between the turns is about 10 cm. Make slit-like cuts in the hose every 15-20 cm with a knife, 2-3 cm long. The outer end lead the hose outside the barrel, and plug the inner hose tightly. This is done in order to pump air into the root zone 2-3 times a week for 5-10 minutes with an ordinary pump.
When filling the barrel with soil mixture layer by layer, do not allow the sprouts to hatch completely. As soon as the sprout reaches the upper boundary of the soil layer, it is necessary to immediately fill in the next layer. If you miss this process, the sprouts will completely germinate, form the green part, and the plant will no longer form a root system, but a powerful green stem will develop all the way to the surface of the earth.
If, due to circumstances, you are not able to monitor the formation of sprouts, then you can sequentially plant potatoes in each of the three lower layers of the soil mixture, not necessarily with whole tubers, but in order to save planting material, use parts of a tuber or eyes. This will give you a 3-story landing. And if you do everything correctly, then many powerful tube-shaped root systems will form in the barrel, on which a huge number of tubers will form.
Don't forget to maintain the required soil moisture. Also keep in mind that by about mid-July your potatoes will have “eaten up” almost all the nutrients in the barrel, so the plants will require additional feeding. And since you cannot add fresh “EM-bokashi”, because the barrel is already full, you can water the plant with a mash made from them. This procedure should be carried out at least once a week, but it is better, of course, 2-3 times, if you have such an opportunity.
To prepare mash it is necessary, for example, to fill a 200-liter barrel one third with a soil mixture of diluted EM-1 and turf soil in a 1:1 ratio, top up with non-chlorinated water and let it brew for at least a day. For example, you arrive at the site on Saturday evening, immediately ferment the mash, and on Sunday evening, before leaving, water your plants.
By observing all the conditions listed above, as well as pumping air into the root system, you can get more than a bag of potatoes from a 1x1 m plot.
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1.Preparing potatoes for planting
This year, the prolonged spring has confused the plans for usual planting of vegetables. So they started planting potatoes only now, when the earth began to warm up under the pressure of the sun's rays. I want to share my experience of how potatoes are planted in Crimea , this is our most important vegetable.
You need to prepare for planting potatoes in the fall. When digging potatoes, it is necessary to select the best potatoes from the most productive plant bushes. Selected tubers must be washed, peeled and placed in boxes. Why wash?
On clean tubers, cracks, dents, and mechanical damage are better visible. After sorting, you need to lay the potatoes in one layer in the sun for greening, during this process you need to turn the potatoes every 3-4 days.
The greening process lasts about 20 days. At the end of this process the potatoes are green and rough. You should never eat such potatoes, but they are very suitable for planting.
2. How many potatoes are needed for planting?
To plant, I take 20 potatoes and at the end of January, I put them in an old basin, cover them with soil, water them and put them in the bathtub, in a corner; it’s always warm here and the humidity is slightly higher than in the whole house.
The temperature for germination of sprouts should be at least 18-20 degrees. I don’t let the soil dry out; after about 3-4 days I moisten the soil. In Crimea , it has long been noted that in mid-February there are so-called February windows, when the air temperature can rise to 17 - 20 degrees. It is during these February windows that you need to plant at least 20 potato sprouts. By this time, potato sprouts usually reach 10-12 centimeters.
My plot is divided into zones - the garden is separated from the vegetable garden. I wrote about zoning a plot in the article “ How to make a plan for garden zones. ” I plant potatoes in the garden area, under the trees; potatoes do not like a lot of sun, so they do well in the shade of large trees .
Different varieties of potatoes: which one is better and how to choose the right one
Fried, boiled, baked, stewed... Potatoes in our country are loved in any form! But is it really safe? Does it meet the declared quality? Is it worth buying potatoes in stores? Watch the program “Natural Selection” on the TV Center channel on Thursday, November 21, at 16:55.
Thursday, November 21 at 16:55 , “Natural Selection.” 12+
Presenters : Otar Kushanashvili and Zinaida Rudenko.
"Potatoes by weight from chain stores"
It would seem, what product is even simpler than potatoes? Well, what could be so dangerous about it that we need to know about it? It turns out that everything is not so simple. And even when buying ordinary potatoes you need to be vigilant, vigilant and vigilant! And take into account a lot of nuances.
Many people believe that if the skin is red, then the potato is good for frying, and if it is white or yellow, then it is good for boiling. There is also an opinion that white potatoes are more tasteless, while red ones have a bright, rich taste. In fact, the color of a potato skin does not affect its taste or aroma. What then influences? When buying potatoes, it is very important to pay attention to their variety.
* Varieties Gala, Red Scarlet, Krepysh and Meteor are dense, non-crumbly, watery, have a herbal flavor and are practically odorless. They are best suited for salads.
* The varieties Nevsky, Kolobok, Queen Anna and Riviera are also not crumbly, they hold their shape, but are quite soft, and their aroma is brighter. They are best used for baking, frying and soups.
* The Sineglazka, Golubizna, Sante and Labadiya varieties boil well and are crumbly. They just have the bright aroma of homemade potatoes; they are best boiled or mashed.
But here’s the problem: manufacturers and stores are not required to write down the potato variety. But you can still find this information on the label, or by asking the seller.
What about the size? Should I grab bigger potatoes? Experts say that the larger the tubers, the less beneficial nutrients they contain. And such potatoes have an overripe taste and a dull aroma. If the potatoes are too small, then they will generate more waste. That is, there will be approximately the same amount of peel as pulp. So medium sized potatoes are the best. It contains the most useful substances, it is not overgrown, therefore it is the most delicious and aromatic.
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See photo gallery on the topic
Is it necessary to peel potatoes? There are people who prefer to eat it with the peel. Isn't this harmful? It turns out that in the fall, immediately after harvesting, you can eat potatoes in their skins, because they contain many useful substances - potassium, magnesium, chromium, B vitamins. But after storage, especially for a long time, a very dangerous substance is formed in the skins - solanine. When does such a metamorphosis occur with potatoes? Why is solanine dangerous? Does it break down during cooking and frying? The answers are in the new release of the program.
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Characteristic
The Crimean Rose potato variety was specially bred by breeders for cultivation in areas with hot weather conditions. The variety was never entered into the State Register, but despite this, potatoes are very popular among gardeners. Potatoes develop well in hot and dry summers. This type of potato grows only in Crimea; you won’t find it in other areas.
Potatoes ripen in about 70-80 days. Early potatoes can be harvested after 40 days. To harvest a large harvest, you need to wait until the end of the growing season. The root structure is formed ideally, 10-15 fruits are formed under one bush. Many farmers manage to harvest several harvests in one period.
Description of the plant
Description of the Crimean Rose potato - a variety of table varieties. The plant is medium in size, the leaves are green, not very large.
The bush is straight, neat, there are veins and slightly wavy tips. During ripening, the plant produces corollas of large sizes and white color.
Description of potatoes
The fruits are small in size, weighing 75-120 g. The Crimean Rose variety has one difference - its incredible taste. The fruits do not contain water and are dry. A wide variety of dishes are prepared from potatoes. It does not contain much starch, only 13-17%, so the fruits do not boil too much and keep a beautiful shape. They do not darken during cooking. Potatoes are suitable for boiling, frying and stewing.
The pulp is white with pinkish layers. The skin is smooth and pink. Oval shape. If you comply with all growing conditions, you can reap a large harvest. It is also worth knowing that the quantity and quality of fruits are significantly influenced by weather conditions. In the rain, potatoes do not ripen and develop well.
Peculiarities
Crimean rose is an early ripening potato. The ripening period of the vegetable is 60-70 days from germination. You can dig the first tubers after 40 days.
The harvest can be stored for several months without losing its taste.
The bush is medium-sized, wide and spreading. The leaves are small, dark green in color with pronounced veins and slightly wavy edges.
The corolla consists of large cream-colored flowers; berries are rarely set. The variety is distinguished by a well-developed root system - at least 10-15 tubers are formed under the bush.
IMPORTANT: The seed material does not degenerate - tubers for planting can be collected every year.
Planting rules
Planting potatoes is not difficult, you just need to know all the nuances of growing in hot areas. Be sure to prepare the soil and planting material before planting.
Preparing tubers and soil for planting
In the Crimean region, potatoes are planted early, since the climate allows it. Planting occurs in mid or late March. You definitely need to wait until the ground warms up well. But you should also watch carefully so that it does not dry out. If gardeners want to replant potatoes, they should understand that tubers can produce a small and small harvest during a very hot period.
Before planting, planting material is selected; it must be healthy in appearance and without damage. Bad fruits should be thrown away immediately. Selected tubers are pickled and soaked in a special solution to stimulate growth. Next, you need to put the fruits in sawdust and wait until they take root. This stage lasts 3-4 weeks. It is advisable to spray the sawdust with water or growth agent from time to time.
Planting methods
Before planting, the area is cleared of plants and loosened. To saturate the soil, add manure and wood ash. Previously prepared fruits for planting are placed in holes immediately with sawdust.
The bushes must be planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other, and wide rows must also be made. The planted tubers are covered with film, this will help protect them from severe cold.
How to grow a crop
Light sandy soil is best suited for growing Crimean rose. Although the plant grows well in dry conditions, regular watering significantly increases productivity. Planting material degenerates slowly, so seeds are collected from year to year without fear for the quality of the future harvest.
The crop needs organic and mineral fertilizing, loosening, weeding and preventive treatments against fungi and insects.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
In Crimea and other warm regions, potatoes are planted in the second ten days of March in warm soil. Re-planting is carried out immediately after the first digging.
Before planting in the holes, tubers are sorted out, small ones, damaged ones, and those with signs of rotting are discarded. Medium-sized specimens are suitable for planting. They are selected in the fall during the harvesting process and stored in separate boxes.
20 days before planting, the tubers are brought out into the light and pickled in a pink solution of potassium permanganate or a 5% solution of copper sulfate. Then they are soaked in growth stimulants (Zircon, Epin) and immersed in slightly damp sawdust. After 3-4 days, sprouts will appear at an air temperature of at least +14°C.
The selected area is cleared of plant residues, the soil is loosened and fertilized with humus and wood ash. As for mineral fertilizers, it is optimal to use nitrophoska (30 g), potassium sulfate (20 g), ammonium nitrate (20 g), mixed with 5 kg of humus per 1 sq. m. m.
In practice, the second option is also used - 40 g of superphosphate, 450 g of dolomite flour, 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 20 g of potassium sulfate, 10 kg of humus per 1 sq. m. m.
Reference. Potatoes absorb only 50% of nutrients when root feeding during the growing season. Therefore, farmers recommend enriching the soil immediately before planting tubers, and then carrying out foliar spraying with liquid mineral compounds.
Long furrows 15 cm deep are formed in the area and the tubers are buried along with sawdust, keeping a distance of 35 cm. Sprinkle a layer of earth on top and level it. Row spacing is 50 cm.
Rules for caring for the Crimean rose:
- The variety is drought resistant and does not require frequent watering. It is enough to water the bushes three times: upon reaching 15-20 cm in height, during the formation of buds and after flowering. In the future, the need for moisture is determined by the appearance of the tops - if they are limp, then it’s time to water the beds. For 1 sq. m - 50 liters of water. Potatoes are watered early in the morning.
- Hilling is carried out once, after the bushes have formed and become stronger. Further hilling in the Crimean climate leads to the death of the plant.
- Loosening and weeding are carried out five days after planting, then as needed.
Favorite varieties of early potatoes
Early potatoes Crimean rose
The experience of growing early potatoes in Crimea dates back to the 80s and 90s. We all planted Crimean Rose potatoes there - this is a heat-resistant variety for the southern zone of an unknown Crimean breeder. The variety has already become popular and is grown only on private farms. The Crimean Rose was passed from hand to hand, or you could buy it from grandmothers at the market.
The tubers are pink, with iridescence and lighter places, the eyes are recessed, the flesh is light yellow, the taste is incomparable. I have never eaten such tasty and aromatic potatoes anywhere else.
We planted it in March, and we started digging it out at the end of May. They rubbed off the thin peel with a piece of fishing net under running water, boiled it, sprinkled it with finely chopped dill and... it was a heavenly pleasure.
Recently they brought me several of these potatoes from my homeland, and I will grow them here. For now I took a photo and put it in the refrigerator. In February I will propagate by seedlings.
Potatoes “Crimean Rose” from Crimea
Variety Sineglazka
In addition to the Crimean rose, we grew the Sineglazka variety - this is a delicious crumbly potato with an unusually colored skin, with purple eyes and sprouts. Disease-resistant mid-early variety. Tubers begin to form early; digging began in June.
Sineglazka is a hybrid from crossing cultivated forms with a wild variety of potato, which is probably why it is so tasty. The variety is grown only on private farms; it is not cultivated industrially, as it is poorly stored.
In fact, this variety is zoned for the middle zone, but in the south in hot climates it degenerates within a few years. Therefore, we updated the planting material from time to time, buying Blue-Eyed at the market from traders from cooler regions.
