When growing potatoes, hilling is carried out several times during the growth so that a mound of loose soil forms around the bush. On small plots, they work manually, in the fields - using attachments for walk-behind tractors or even tractors. But why is this procedure needed - and how to do it correctly?
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Why do you need to spud potatoes?
The hilling procedure is necessary so that more volume of clean, loose earth is formed around the bush. As a result, the roots of the potato penetrate there - and this leads to several positive points at once:
- the bush receives more nutrients;
- more space for the formation of new tubers;
- in loose soil, existing tubers can reach much larger sizes than in dense and caked ones.
In addition, air exchange is better in loose soil, and more moisture enters the roots - which again is beneficial. Experience shows that if potatoes are hilled correctly and on time, the yield increases by at least 20%. Well, if the site has clay or loamy soil, then without hilling there is a risk of being left without potatoes this year at all.
And, finally, in the process of hilling, weeds are destroyed, which also benefits the potato bushes.
When are potatoes spud?
During the growing season, hilling is carried out at least 3 times:
- When the seedlings have reached a height of 15-20 cm.
- 3-4 weeks after the first hilling.
- The same amount after the second.
It is recommended to work in the evening or in the morning: at this time, the risk of injuring the bushes is minimal, they adapt more easily to the changed environment. In addition, this working time is also comfortable for the person himself: working at noon in the sun, there is a risk of sun or heat stroke.
During the first treatment, potato seedlings may be completely covered with soil - this is not scary, they will quickly grow up and appear on the surface. But during flowering, it is better not to touch the potatoes: it can drop the buds - this will negatively affect the development of the bush.
How to spud potatoes correctly?
The best time for hilling is on the second or third day after heavy rain. Then the soil is sufficiently moist, lays down well, and the potatoes immediately receive additional moisture. If there is a drought, then hilling is not carried out at all, or the soil is first watered. They do the same in the rainy season: the rain will still wash away the mounds of the earth, and therefore there is no point in spilling potatoes.
The following method is considered classic:
- Soil is scooped up from the row spacing to the potato bushes. It is raked up first on one side, then on the other, so it is better to walk along the bed, putting your feet in the aisles and intercepting the tool from hand to hand.
- During the procedure, small weeds are removed. If they have already grown too large, then weeding and debris are first carried out.
- As a result, it should form an embankment in the form of a ridge with a height of at least 15 cm, otherwise the work is in vain. At the same time, the stalks of the potatoes should stick out straight up. Furrows are naturally formed between the beds, in which excess water will collect during irrigation or after rains - there the water is better absorbed into the soil.
With the second hilling (and also the first if the tops are overgrown), you can also use the fan method. In this case, the stems are placed in a fan, and earth is poured into the middle of the bush with a shovel from the aisle, pressing down the shoots. In this case, their aboveground part will begin to grow upward, and new tubers will form from the underground. For the best effect, weeds or old hay are thrown into the center of the bush, preventing the earth from drying out. The third hilling after rolling can be carried out again in the classical way.
The main thing when hilling is not to forget to add soil between the bushes in the same bed. Often this is not remembered, forming a solid ridge. In fact, you need to make a series of small mounds around each bush. However, if the solid ridge is high enough, then there is nothing to worry about.
Do you know how to properly spud potatoes?
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