Correct hilling of potatoes allows you to grow a good harvest, but so that the work does not go in vain, you need to know when to start working. You should also figure out whether it is always advisable to huddle the stems of this vegetable crop.
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When and why to spud potatoes
Hilling potato stalks is carried out in order to:
- preservation of moisture in the root zone;
- maintaining normal air exchange in the area of tuber formation and growth;
- reducing the leaching of nutrients from the soil;
- prevent stems from lodging.
The first hilling is carried out after the shoots appear. The presence of additional soil on the plants will help protect young leaves from frost if the potatoes were planted early or the spring is prolonged, as well as from pests. The first hilling contributes to the development of the root system.
Re-gardening work is carried out in 2-3 weeks. The third time the beds are processed in a month. It is impossible to huddle the beds if the potatoes are in the flowering stage - it is better to carry out this work after the buds have faded. Otherwise, the plant can be damaged, resulting in a poor harvest.
If the potatoes were planted on sandy soil, then only the first hilling should be carried out (to protect the seedlings from possible frost), and the subsequent ones can be discarded. Under the influence of moisture and wind, the soil will settle, i.e. take the original position. Also, such a soil equally passes all nutrients, i.e. regardless of whether there is an additional layer of soil on the seedlings or not.
During hilling, about 5-10 cm of soil should be poured onto each bush.
Site equipment
It is possible to sprinkle potatoes not only with a hoe. To facilitate labor and speed up work on the site, you can use the following inventory:
- Motoblock. The equipment is expensive (except for a walk-behind tractor, you need to purchase fuel and appropriate attachments for soil cultivation), but its use provides a high-quality and quick throwing of land onto the bushes vegetable culture. To use this equipment, it is necessary when planting to provide for an equal and sufficient distance between the rows for the movement of equipment.
- Disc hiller. The inventory is manual, i.e. does not require fuel to operate. The principle of operation is similar to a walk-behind tractor, but you can make it yourself, which makes the tool cost-effective. The disc hiller consists of 2 dumps, the location of which can be adjusted, the handle and the handle. The advantage of hand tools is that they can be used to work on any garden beds, not just potato ones.
- Cultivator. The technique can be automatic, i.e. equipped with a motor, or mechanical. When buying, you need to check with the seller what task this inventory can handle. Most cultivators are designed for loosening only, not for spreading soil. When working with mechanical or automatic equipment, it is not recommended to rush, so as not to go beyond the row and not to damage the bushes.
- Plow. Hilling with this garden tool is considered safe for the stalks and roots of potatoes, a financially profitable but time consuming process. In order not to damage the bushes, 2 people will be required to work on the site: one needs to pull the plow, and the second to direct the blade. If the farm has a horse, then to speed up the process and facilitate the work, you can use it. The animal will pull the plow and the owner will guide it. When buying or making this tool, care should be taken to keep it as light as possible.
Throwing earth on the bushes from the gap between the rows is best done after removing large weeds. Small grass will be destroyed during the hilling process.
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