When to water potatoes for a harvest. How and when to water potatoes: methods of organizing watering. When to water potatoes after planting

Potatoes need moisture for normal development, so there is no point in guessing whether they need to be watered. Especially in hot and sunny weather. If you do not water the potatoes at the right time, the likelihood of getting a poor-quality harvest will increase several times.

Do I need to water potatoes?

There are often cases when a crop is grown in an unequipped area. It seems that you shouldn’t bend your back and carry water for irrigation - before, potatoes grew in natural conditions, and they were collected in considerable quantities. But large areas were sown, and many people tore their health in such fields in order to get a more or less decent harvest.

At the same time, watering potatoes planted in open ground would help save a lot of effort and produce high-quality root crops. This is due to some features of the development of its root system, which can grow no more than 0.3 m in depth. At the same time, it must ensure:

growing a large volume of green mass;
formation of normal root crops.

Shallow moistening of the earth's surface will cause the roots to grow sideways rather than deeper. Therefore, when dry weather sets in, they will not be able to obtain water and nutrients for the development of the bush. To prevent this from happening, it is important to water the potatoes in a timely manner and in the right quantity, then a good harvest will be guaranteed.

Particular attention must be paid to soil moisture when growing early varieties. After all, they need to have time to form fairly large root crops in a short period of time. Lack of water will lead to yellowing and wilting of the tops, stopping the development of the underground part of the plant. Even if you resume caring for potato bushes, the tubers will be small and uneven.

When to water potatoes

Watering time depends on weather conditions and soil moisture. If the weather is quite comfortable (the air temperature is moderate, precipitation occurs periodically), then you need to water the potatoes 3 times during the entire growing season of the plant:

when the sprouts grow 5–10 cm to ensure normal growth of the aerial part;
during flowering, when nodules begin to form, in order to increase their number;
after flowering - for active growth of root crops.

Spring-summer watering is considered especially important, because the further functioning of the crop depends on it. In this case, you should adhere to the rule “rarely is better, but enough.” The amount of water consumed depends on the development of the bush: for small sprouts a few liters are enough, adult bushes require more moisture.

Planting and beginning of the growing season

It is advisable to plant the tuber in moist soil, then the roots of the plant will not experience discomfort from lack of water.

If the soil is very dry, then you can moisten the lower layers as follows:

Dig deep holes.
Pour a bucket of water into each (more is possible).
After moisture has been absorbed, sprinkle to the required depth.
Place a tuber in each hole and bury it.

You cannot water potatoes immediately after planting: the moisture will be distributed in the upper layers, and the root system will grow over the surface. Such bushes will need constant watering in the future. You should not do this even with the emergence of seedlings, when the first leaves are formed.

They begin to water when the sprouts rise above the ground by at least 5 cm. At the same time, 3–4 liters of water are poured under each bush, preferably settled and heated in the sun.

After this, the plants are moistened once every 7–10 days until the budding period.

Flowering period

The appearance of flowers indicates the initial stage of tuber formation. Therefore, with the beginning of the formation of buds, the need for water increases sharply; insufficient water during this period can lead to a decrease in crop yield. They begin to moisturize the potatoes well when the first flower stalks appear, without waiting for mass budding.

Water the potatoes twice a week during this period, spending at least a bucket of water (up to 15 liters) on each bush. To make it absorb better, it is poured in portions.

During the flowering period, the watering regime should not be disrupted. Insufficient and untimely moisture will lead to the formation of ugly root crops. Indeed, without water, the development of nodules stops, and after receiving moisture it resumes, but unevenly.

Tuber formation and growth

For the appearance and growth of tubers during the period of active flowering and after it, potatoes need to be watered even more abundantly: up to 20 liters per plant.

Reduce the amount of moisture when the tops begin to fade: no more than 3 liters are poured under one bush once every 10 days.

Watering is completely stopped 2 weeks before harvesting, when the stems are completely dry, which will indicate the maturity of the root crops.

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.

Signs of excess and lack of moisture

Potatoes can suffer not only from a lack of moisture, but also from its excess. Therefore, not every plant needs to be watered on hot days. You should focus on the external condition of the bush.

During drought, potato growth is inhibited, therefore:

leaves are light, drooping, drooping;
buds do not bloom;
the stems dry out prematurely.

If there is excess water:

leaves watery, drooping;
weeping spots appear at the bottom of the stem and fungus develops;
the tubers rot.

Potatoes that are “happy” with the quality of the soil should have bright and “vigorous” leaves in comfortable weather.

Watering methods

Potatoes will not be able to stop their growth and development of tubers due to lack of moisture in the soil, if the basic rules are followed when watering. Any of the following methods, which have their own advantages and disadvantages, is suitable for irrigating crops.

Under the root

Potatoes are a moisture-loving plant. The root system of this crop can be moistened by pouring water under the root. But such work is only possible when grown in small areas.

The advantage of this method is that you can water each plant with the amount of water it needs, avoiding wetting the above-ground parts.

Along the furrows

A large area with potatoes begins to be moistened after the first hilling. To do this, pour a large volume of water with a hose into the deep furrows between the rows, after closing the far edge so that the liquid does not leak out. After a couple of days, you need to loosen the soil and rake the soil in places where it has eroded. Water the second time after flowering so that the soil is deeply saturated. One of the disadvantages of this method is the high water consumption.

Irrigation

In the absence of precipitation, the soil is moistened by sprinkling. With such irrigation, the water stream should be shallow and not strong so that the root system is not washed out. This method can ensure constant soil moisture, but it has a number of disadvantages:

the risk of developing fungal diseases increases;
The soil surface becomes compacted, so after the procedure it needs to be loosened.

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation of potatoes is effective in conditions of water shortage. This method will allow you to water with a smaller volume of liquid and maintain the desired level of soil moisture for longer. It can be combined with the application of fertilizers. The only negative is the high cost of installations.

Dry watering

Dry irrigation is a method of retaining moisture in the soil through loosening and hilling. This method also allows you to increase air access to the roots, which has a beneficial effect on the development of the entire bush.

Dry watering rules:

Hilling is carried out after the first moistening, completely covering the bushes that have grown to 10 cm with soil;
before the flowers begin to appear, you need to have time to carry out this procedure three more times;
After flowering, carefully loosen the row spacing so as not to damage the growing nodules.

Mulching will help conserve moisture in the soil. To do this, the soil around the plants is covered with mowed green manure, sawdust or straw. The benefit of this method is that the mulch, rotting, is converted into a source of nutrients needed by the plant.

Rules and regulations

The volume of liquid and frequency of moistening depend on the type of soil, potato variety and weather conditions:

on hot, windy days, you need to water generously every 4–5 days, preferably in the evening;
in moderate weather, the number of waterings is reduced to once every 1–1.5 weeks;
If it rains in the summer months, then watering is stopped.

Water for irrigation is taken in such an amount that can completely wet the soil to the entire depth occupied by the roots.

The norm for the first watering of potatoes is 3–4 liters per bush; as they grow and develop, it increases to 6 liters; an adult plant should receive at least a bucket of water. During the growth period, tubers are watered abundantly - up to two buckets of water per bush.

If there is any doubt whether watering is needed, check the soil for moisture and look at the appearance of the plants.

Features and timing for early potatoes

Lack of moisture negatively affects the formation of stolons on which tubers form. The result is a drop in productivity. That is why it is important to water potatoes properly, especially during their growth period.

Early harvest potatoes require less watering, but more frequent. The soil under the plants must not become dry, so it needs to be moistened somewhat more often. A sure sign of a lack of water is if a hand immersed in the ground to the base of the fingers remains dry.

The rules for watering early varieties are the same as for autumn potatoes. The most useful thing is to moisturize during the period of shoot growth and budding. It is important not to miss the moment here, since some varieties produce peduncles from single plants.

Most gardeners grow it. However, the secret of proper care that ensures a decent harvest is not known to everyone. But it is quite simple - you need to be able to properly organize watering of potatoes.

– the crop is quite sensitive to watering, reacting to both excess and lack of moisture. After planting, the potatoes are not watered until the very moment the first shoots appear, since at this time the root system of the plant is formed. If you flood the potatoes with water during this growing season, the roots will be superficial and the plant will not be able to provide itself with water in the future. Planting potatoes in moist soil will provide the tubers with water until the first shoots sprout.

After the bushes take shape, you can begin to water the potatoes moderately. If the soil has dried to a depth of 6 cm, then it is time to irrigate. The best time to water potatoes is early morning or evening. Do not water with cold water, but with warmed up to room temperature. Each bush requires approximately two to three liters of water.

Gradually, the need for water in potatoes increases, this is especially true during the budding period. (reklama) If at this point in the growing season the potatoes do not receive enough water, then as a result the crop will end up in the form of small tubers, since the flowering of potatoes signals just the beginning of the process of the tubers gaining mass. In terms of time, weight gain occurs in mid-August.

Most professionals believe that watering potatoes in hot weather is necessary, especially since hot weather is often accompanied by strong winds, which increases the evaporation of moisture from the soil. How do potato crops change in such cases, and how often do plants need watering? With the onset of hot weather, watering should be done every four to five days. If the temperature during the day is quite tolerable, then water approximately once every eight to ten days.

At first, watering is aimed at the growth of the above-ground part of the bush. During the period of tuber formation, even the appearance of the first single peduncles is a sign that it is time to begin more active watering, which will subsequently result in an increase in yield of up to 30%.

There is another period when potatoes especially need watering. It is also associated with tuber growth. The beginning of this period coincides with the end of flowering. The end of potato ripening can be considered the moment the tops die off.

When watering, you must remember that it must be done so that by night the leaves of the plant are dry, so as not to cause the development of late blight.

To get a good potato harvest, you need to provide it with favorable conditions. Water plays a significant role in the formation of juicy tubers. The greatest return from a potato plantation is observed with irrigation and complex organo-mineral nutrition. The issue of watering a potato plantation should be approached flexibly, taking into account weather conditions and the phase of plant development.

The importance of water for potato crops

In this form, potatoes will not bring much harvest. It is necessary to monitor the regularity of watering.

Life processes in plants are active only in the presence of liquid. Organic substances are synthesized from water and carbon dioxide.

They arrange all the parts of the plant and ultimately form a crop. In addition to organic matter (dry matter), the potato tuber consists of 80% directly from water. If the roots cannot absorb the required amount of moisture from the soil, plant development is inhibited.

Water is important in itself, but it also performs other functions– is a universal solvent for nutrients, cools during overheating, stimulates the work of beneficial soil organisms that ensure fertility.

When properly watering potatoes:

With proper and timely watering, the growth of potato tops and, consequently, the harvest increases!

absorption of nutrients from the soil increases (on average by 30% );
the tops grow more powerful and resistant to diseases;
in the bush on 10–15% the number of shoots increases - aboveground and underground (stolons on which tubers are formed);
there is an increase in each tuber mass (up to 70% );
productivity increases by at least 40–50% ;
The tubers are standard and marketable.

Full growth contributes to the accumulation of large amounts of vitamins and other useful compounds in vegetables.

Consequences of poor hydration

Proper watering of potatoes is the key to a good harvest!

The decisive factor that negatively affects potato yields is moisture deficiency during the formation and active growth of tubers. This period begins in the budding phase and ends approximately half a month before harvest.

Insufficient water supply to the roots leads to a whole complex adverse events:

The immunity of potato plants is weakened.
Viral diseases and scab become more active.
The degeneration of the variety is accelerating.
Resistance to fungal infections decreases.
The absorption of fertilizers (both organic and mineral) deteriorates by 30–50% .
The nutritional value of vegetables decreases.
Potato yield and tuber size decrease.

Abundantly fertilized but dry soil inhibits plants. Too much moisture is no less dangerous.

Problems with excess dampness

Excessive watering leads to spoilage and fungal rot of young potatoes.

Abundant early Watering (before budding) reduces drought resistance of plants.
Overmoistening after flowering and at the end of the growing season worsens the keeping quality of tubers and leads to a decrease in nutritional value (less starch, vitamins).
In wet soil, roots and tubers “suffocate.”
The development of fungal infections (rot, late blight) accelerates.

When tubers grow, the moisture supply must be regular and uniform, otherwise the quality of the crop will decrease.

Negative results of sudden changes in soil moisture

cracking and gnarliness of tubers, hollowness inside;
early suberization of tubers and growth arrest;
provocation of germination of eyes on young tubers, the appearance of growths - small nodules.

If you have to water after a drought, then water should be released gradually.

Soil moisture: methods of conservation and rational use

It is not always possible to water a potato plantation. It is easier to organize watering in a small area (in a garden, at a private house) or in large agricultural farms (sprinkler or drip installations, etc.). In any case, it is necessary to use agricultural techniques that conserve natural moisture.

Increases the useful moisture capacity of the soil (especially sandy or clayey) adding organic matter (preferably in the fall) - humus or compost (about 500 kg per hundred square meters).
On light and moderately dense soils, deep autumn digging or plowing is desirable. (to a depth of 25–30 cm) and spring harrowing (loosening) to a depth of 10–15 cm. Soil capillaries are better formed and preserved. In areas with heavy soils, spring digging (ploughing) is carried out.
Autumn plowing helps retain interseasonal moisture sown at the end of summer: rye with peas, either (or oilseed radish).
Agronomists and experienced gardeners advise planting potatoes as early as possible , immediately after spring loosening of the earth.

In small areas, it is possible to mulch the plantings or regularly loosen them, which helps retain moisture longer after rains or waterings.

For arid regions, especially if it is not possible to irrigate, the following measures are recommended:

For arid regions, planting potatoes in furrows will be the best option.

selection of drought-resistant varieties;
rejection of mid-season varieties; growing early and late varieties that are able to use moisture more efficiently;
planting potatoes with whole (uncut) tubers weighing at least 50 g;
planting potatoes in furrows rather than in ridges;
autumn moisture-recharging watering of land intended for potatoes next year: dosage - at least 70 liters of water per square meter.

Nutrients are poorly absorbed by plant roots from dry soil.

During dry periods, you can support potato bushes using foliar fertilizing - complex fertilizer with microelements (for seedlings 10 cm high, then at the beginning of flowering and after it): 2-3 times per season or even more often (every 2 weeks).

Timing for watering potatoes

The timing and amount of watering directly depend on the growth phases of potatoes, which in turn directly depend on the climatic conditions of a particular region.

Calendar dates may vary in each region. Much depends on the variety.

Vegetable growers should focus exclusively on the developmental stage of the potato itself. We must carefully observe the plants. When buds appear on the bushes, they begin to form in the root zone. stolons – underground potato shoots on which tubers are planted and filled. From this time on, it is necessary to provide the potatoes with moderately moist soil.

Is it possible to water a potato field during flowering? Of course, yes, if the soil is dry. It is during the flowering period that bushes consume the largest amount of water.

How often should you water potatoes?

Watering potatoes is required before budding, while the tubers are growing, but they must be stopped several weeks before harvesting.

According to Dutch technology, potato field watered 2–3 times per season (if there is no heavy rain). When should you water potatoes? Here are the best times:

before flowering;
10 days after flowering;
another half a month later (medium and late ripening varieties).

Additional watering may be required (every 5-10 days) during the tuber filling period - this depends on the weather.

Heat, wind, lack of rain, and the location of the site on a slope contribute to drying out the soil. It is desirable that the soil in the root zone is constantly moderately moist. Sometimes gardeners doubt whether it is possible to water potatoes in August? The answer depends on the planting region, the specific variety, harvesting time, and weather conditions. Watering is necessary while the tubers are growing, but they are stopped 2 weeks before harvesting.

There is no need to water before budding: first the plant consumes moisture reserves from the mother tuber, then it needs to build up a good root system and acquire endurance: a slight lack of water at this time is even beneficial. Only tuberless potato seedlings (planted seedlings or rooted seedlings) need early watering.

In dry weather, potatoes are watered before the necessary hilling.

Watering rules

Watering of the plantation is carried out by sprinkling or along furrows (row spacing). Drip irrigation can be installed.

According to special observations, the greatest increase in yield is observed with overflow irrigation (into furrows), but more water is spent in this case than with other methods.

Amount of water should be sufficient to wet the soil to a depth of 30 cm from the surface of the site ( 30–50 l/sq.m. m ).
Best time – morning or evening; It is preferable to water in the morning so that the moisture on the bushes dries out faster.

You need to water carefully, remembering that overwatering is harmful!

A small number of bushes are watered directly at the root, spending at least 3 liters of water for each.

Water temperature

For better growth and harvest, potatoes need to be watered with warm water. If watering is carried out using rain or drip irrigation, water can be pumped from a well.

Like all plants of the Solanaceae family, potatoes prefer warm water, but they are less capricious than eggplants, peppers and tomatoes.

When watering by flood or through a drip system, the water heats up quickly (especially in warm weather), so if necessary, it is permissible to pump it directly from the well.

Watering can be combined with the application of fertilizers (in moderate concentration). Irrigation water should not contain too many natural salts.

In addition to its direct purpose, water can provide the potato grower with another service. Sprinkler irrigation directly during return freezing and immediately after it will help preserve tender potato shoots from freezing.

Video about how to properly care for potatoes after planting

In previous articles we talked about sprouting potatoes, growing seedlings and planting potatoes in the ground. Today we’ll talk about caring for potatoes after planting, namely: watering, loosening, hilling and fertilizing.

Watering potatoes

It is not recommended to water the potatoes for the first time after planting, since at this time the root system is being formed. With moderate humidity, the roots branch and penetrate deep into the soil, but if the soil is over-moistened, the roots will not be located deep enough, which will subsequently negatively affect the development of the potato bush, since it will be more difficult for it to obtain moisture.

The first watering of potatoes after planting is best done with the emergence of seedlings. Water the potatoes sparingly. When bushes begin to form, the potato's need for water increases.

You should not rely on rain: as soon as you notice that the lower leaves begin to wilt slightly, be sure to water the potatoes. Potatoes experience the greatest need for moisture during the period of budding and flowering. If the amount of moisture at this time is insufficient for the potatoes, this will have a bad effect on their harvest - the potatoes will be very small. It is best to water the potatoes not with cold, but with slightly warm water, pre-heated to “room temperature” in barrels or tubs. The best time for watering potatoes - early morning or evening.

Loosening the soil

Surface loosening of the soil, carried out to a depth of 2–3 cm, is a very useful procedure for potatoes, increasing the flow of oxygen to the tubers. In addition, in the process of loosening you destroy small weeds.

The first loosening is carried out a week after planting the potatoes. Subsequently, the soil is loosened as needed after watering and rain, thereby preventing the formation of crust and helping to saturate the soil with oxygen. Loosening must be done very carefully, trying not to damage the sprouts and not pull the tubers to the surface.

Hilling up potatoes

Hilling has a very positive effect on the potato yield and can significantly increase it. Hilling accelerates the processes of bush development, flowering and tuberization.

In addition, hilling protects potato tubers from late blight, preventing the infection from penetrating from the affected tops to the tubers. Potatoes need to be hilled 2-3 times during the season. The first hilling of potatoes is carried out when the tops reach a height of 13 - 15 cm.

The soil used for hilling must be moist. How is hilling carried out? It’s very simple: the soil is raked in small portions to the tops using a hoe so that a mound is formed around the bush.

The second hilling of potatoes is carried out 10 - 12 days after the first. Third - as needed.

Fertilizing potatoes in the garden

To get a good potato harvest, you need to periodically feed it during the growing process. During the growing season, root feeding of potatoes is carried out three times; the composition of fertilizers depends on the development phase of the potato bush.

In addition, when seedlings appear, potatoes can be sprayed with a solution of macro- and microfertilizers. Root feeding is best done in damp soil after watering or rain.

First root feeding carried out during the growth of tops if the potato bushes are poorly developed, have thin stems and pale leaves. Feeding composition: 1 tablespoon of urea per 10 liters of water or half a liter of mushy mullein or bird droppings per bucket of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush.

Second root feeding potatoes are carried out during the budding period to accelerate flowering. Feeding composition: 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate + 3 tablespoons of wood ash per 10 liters of water or just 1 glass of wood ash per bucket of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush. Third root feeding carried out during flowering of potatoes to accelerate the tuberization process. Feeding composition: 2 tablespoons of superphosphate + 1 glass of mushy mullein or chicken droppings per 10 liters of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush.

Root feeding of potatoes with fertilizer solutions is carried out in cases where we are talking about a relatively small number of bushes. If the area of the potato plot exceeds 100 m2, that is, 1 hundred square meters, fertilizing is carried out with dry fertilizers, scattering them under each bush:

first feeding (to accelerate the growth of tops) - 1/2 teaspoon of urea + 200 g of manure or plant humus per 1 bush; second feeding (during budding) - 1 tablespoon of wood ash + 1/2 teaspoon of potassium sulfate or 1 teaspoon a spoonful of nitrophoska per 1 bush; third feeding (during flowering) - 1 teaspoon of powdered superphosphate per 1 bush.

An integral part of potato care is the fight against the Colorado potato beetle and other pests, as well as various potato diseases, but we will talk about this in the following articles.

Potatoes are, it would seem, the most unpretentious garden crop. But in fact, even potatoes require careful treatment and proper watering - after all, soil moisture is a very important indicator for potato yield. Like, perhaps, no other plant, potatoes need moisture - and therefore proper watering of potatoes significantly increases its yield, according to statistics, by about six to eight times.

Watering norms for potatoes

Such a concept as irrigation norm determines both the number of waterings (how many times and over what period of time you need to water potatoes in the garden), and the water consumption for each watering. These factors depend, first of all, on the climate and weather conditions - it is quite natural that in an arid climate the number of waterings will be four to five, in a very dry climate - five to seven, and in a moderate climate, with an even amount of rain during the summer - three -four.

The amount of water spent per watering of potatoes is calculated depending on the planting area and averages two hundred to four hundred liters per ten square meters of planting. Of course, if the condition of the soil is unsatisfactory (for example, very dry soil, petrified due to dry and hot weather), then the amount of water for irrigation needs to be increased by several hundred liters.

But at the same time, it is important not to exceed the watering norm - excess moisture will lead to the soil becoming waterlogged and flooded. And this, in turn, will provoke rotting of young potato tubers or even prevent the formation of tubers.

When is the right time to water potatoes?

The moisture requirement of potatoes depends not only on the climate, but also on the stage of ripening. The least amount of moisture is required during the period from planting potatoes into the soil until the emergence of full shoots.

At this stage, a certain lack of moisture in the soil from irrigation is even beneficial - it contributes to a more complete use of the moisture that is already contained in the potato tubers used for seedlings. The more moisture there is in the soil, the closer to the soil surface the roots will be located - and this is extremely risky, because in the future the roots can be damaged when loosening and weed control.

As soon as the first shoots appear, the situation changes - potatoes need moisture most of all. It is at this time that it is very important to regularly water young potatoes, and be sure to adhere to the watering norm. If a moisture deficit occurs during this period, it has a detrimental effect on the harvest: firstly, the number of ovaries decreases, and, secondly, the formation of young tubers slows down.

Video: how to water potatoes correctly

potato, care, watering June 10, 2014, 11:35 pm I have read more than once that potatoes, like all garden crops, require watering, but I have never watered them myself.

For me, this vegetable (as far as one could judge from its appearance and harvest) did not suffer from thirst, and at our old dacha it was not too easy to find water - you can’t run into a potato plant with a watering can. And I lived in the belief that watering potatoes was an agrotechnical “delicacy” that I could completely do without.

But last year's experience forced us to return to this issue...

What science tells us...

And she tells us: potatoes are extremely demanding of soil moisture, and their needs vary depending on the phase of development.

The most important period is from the moment the buds appear until the tops stop growing. It is at this time that the crop is planted, and if there is not enough moisture, then there will be few tubers.

It turns out that to form a potato, for one part of dry matter (by weight), the plant needs to spend 400-600 parts of water! And this is in the central regions - in the southern, hot and dry regions, the consumption is even higher. And one plant evaporates about 60-70 liters of water per season, can you imagine?!

So should I water it or not?

The answer to this question depends on a combination of many factors - climatic (air and soil temperature, amount of precipitation, humidity), soil (composition and structure of the soil, its ability to retain moisture) and biological (primarily the characteristics of the variety).

A favorable combination of conditions allowed me to do without watering at all for many years. Loamy soil retains moisture well; Our climate is moderate, rain is not uncommon, and heat does not occur often and usually does not linger for long.

In such conditions, zoned varieties can easily do without watering - loosening and hilling can successfully replace it. By the way, loosening is often called “dry watering”.

If the climate in your area is humid, it is better to replace watering potatoes with loosening - the benefits will be much greater: moisture is retained in the soil, and the air supply to the roots is improved, and the plant receives in abundance everything it needs for development. But on sandy soils, and even in hot, dry weather, crops cannot be seen without watering.

I was convinced of this last year from my own sad experience. As usual, I planted potatoes in several stages - from the beginning of May until the beginning of June.

This method has never failed me - all the potatoes ripened in due time, and the yield from early and late plantings did not differ. But not this time... June potatoes fell into soil from which spring moisture had already left.

There was little rain, and the weather was warm, and despite the fact that, as always, sprouted tubers were planted, shoots did not appear for more than a month! Then the tops began to grow, the bushes bloomed, but... When the time came to dig the potatoes, all I could do was shed a few tears: there was practically no harvest from the ridges of the late planting, and I learned a good lesson: you shouldn’t blindly rely on your own experience if the conditions have changed...

So it turns out that there is simply no common, universal answer to the question of whether potatoes need to be watered. Some people need it, others don’t need it, and others shouldn’t do it at all - a solution to the problem must be sought based on local conditions.

And here’s what else is important: soil moisture should be uniform. Like many other crops (tomatoes or cabbage, for example), potatoes are sensitive to sudden changes in humidity: if heavy rains replace drought, we are likely to get a crop of deformed, misshapen tubers.

Therefore, if you notice that the shoots are drooping, the leaves are curling or withering, and the soil has dried out to a depth of 5-6 cm or more, you need to water it accurately.

How to water potatoes

Generally speaking, there are so many opinions on this issue)) And this is probably correct: practice allows you to find those methods and standards that suit you and your plants.

But since for the first time you still need to start from something, I will give general watering recommendations. The best time to water- evening hours.

It is clear that no one waters in the heat of the day, but the morning is not the best option: the moisture on the leaves may not dry out before the sun gets hot, and burns will appear. Minimum water consumption- 3 liters per bush.

Actual consumption will depend on the soil (sandy and sandy loam soils absorb more water than loam or peat soil), the degree of drying out, the type of plant and its age. There are different opinions regarding exactly how to water: watering at the root, And furrow irrigation.

During dry seasons, irrigating plantings is also effective (this is especially true for early potato varieties). The next day after watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil to retain moisture.

That, in general, is all... But it would be very interesting to know the opinions of our gardeners: do you water your potatoes? If yes, how often and what techniques do you use? If not, why not?

We will try to answer these questions, so that you can water your potatoes correctly, and therefore harvest more of this second bread. First, let's answer the question of how often you should water your potatoes and how much water is needed. You need to understand that different stages of potato growth require different amounts of moisture in the soil.

The first increase in water consumption occurs 2 weeks after emergence, since at this time the tops are actively growing. The next increase in water consumption occurs during the flowering and tuberization phase.

But if you overdo it with water during this period of time, the tubers may suffocate and you will lose the harvest. In dry, sunny weather, water every 4-5 days. If the days were not very hot, then watering is carried out every 8-10 days.

Also, we should not forget that in addition to watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil. Unsystematic watering when you leave the garden without watering for a long time has a very bad effect on potatoes. As a result, the tubers become crooked, ugly, and scabby.

Therefore, if you cannot water your potatoes regularly, then take care of mulching the beds. In general, you need to take care of mulching, even if you water regularly.

Because this will not only reduce the need for loosening, a crust will not form on the surface of the soil, but will also allow it to remain moist longer. But not like this: if you water it, the soil sits in water for 1 day, and then the soil is dry again for 5 days. To organize good watering of potatoes, the drip method is best suited.

This will reduce water consumption, and the earth will always be moist. On average, it is calculated that per day in hot weather one bush loses 10-15 liters of moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to water with 15-20 liters of water at a time per 1 square meter at least every week. The plant can obtain the rest of the moisture by condensing moisture on the soil surface and by retaining it in the ground through mulching.

The most popular potato varieties:

Nevsky potatoes are characterized by good yield, medium-early ripening and the ability to grow on any type of soil. From one bush, up to 15 root crops weighing about 130 grams are harvested. Oval-shaped tubers with creamy flesh and yellow skin.
Venetta (early, drought-resistant), Symphony (mid-season) and Temp (late) are yellow potato varieties. They are characterized by yellow tuber flesh and a starch content of 13 (Venetta) to 22 (Temp) percent. Yellow varieties of potatoes are considered the most beloved in Russian cuisine; due to their high starch content, the tubers are well boiled and have a pleasant sweetish taste.
Red varieties of potatoes (Borodyansky pink, Sample red) are considered the most healthy; they contain little fiber and are used in dietary nutrition. The tubers are reddish in color with creamy flesh and a starch content of 14 to 19 percent.
Rosalind is recognized as the best early-ripening potato variety. Tubers with red skin and yellow pulp, starch content - 17%.
Romano is a Dutch high-yielding variety with a medium-early ripening period. The pulp of the tubers is light cream in color with a starch content of 19%. Potatoes are very tasty. The yield of the variety does not depend on weather conditions.