Didn't add anything to the potato beds in the fall? Do you want to use less «chemicals» without losing yield? Then you should pay attention to these environmentally friendly and effective fertilizers.
Among other vegetables, potatoes stand a little apart. And not only because they usually have several times more beds than cucumbers or carrots, but also because they are monocultures. In other words, under certain conditions, potatoes can be grown on the same plot for at least two years in a row.
But we must remember that potatoes consume a lot of nutrients and need high-quality, light soil. Therefore, even those gardeners who prefer to strictly adhere to crop rotation should be concerned about the condition of the soil in the place of future potato plantings. And for those who grow potatoes for several years in the same beds, it is absolutely necessary to do this.
Fertilizers for potatoes are traditionally added in the fall so that the organic matter rots well over the winter, and the «mineral water» creates favorable conditions for the development of plants. In the spring, all that remains is to add fertilizer directly to the hole when planting.
Important! Potatoes do not like excess fertilizers and do not grow well in soils containing a lot of organic matter.
If you were unable to add fertilizer in the fall, you can do it in the spring. However, you should not take fresh «aggressive» organic matter such as mullein and fresh manure: it will not rot well in a month, and will subsequently cause problems for the plants (attract mole crickets, worsen the work of plant roots, etc.). Those summer residents who plan to plant potatoes early need to be especially careful.
Therefore, we suggest adding fertilizers to the potato beds in the spring, which we will list below. By the way, they can be used at the same time, but then the application rate should be adjusted taking into account the soil condition.
Heavy clay soils are not suitable for growing potatoes; first, they need to be restored to fertility. The tastiest tubers grow on light loam, sandy loam and black soil. You can also plant potatoes in any deoxidized and not very dense soil.
Option 1. Compost or humus
These organic fertilizers will give the plants the necessary macro- and microelements and at the same time improve the composition of the soil if it is not loose enough.
What exactly can be used? It is advisable to take well-rotted compost or humus (of plant or animal origin) or almost reached the desired state. In this form, it will be completely safe for future potato plantings. If the fertilizer still needs to lie for some time, then it is worth adding additional fertilizer in early spring so that by May the beds are completely ready.
Vermicompost, or biohumus, created by earthworms and beneficial microorganisms, is very valuable for potatoes. You can make such fertilizer yourself.
Granulated natural fertilizers, such as horse or bird droppings, are popular. They contain the necessary nutrients in a form accessible to plants, and such products are also convenient to use and store. True, their price can be quite high, so to save money, granules are usually added to a hole or trench before planting tubers.
Option 2. Wood ash
In the garden, the soil is often acidified, so wood ash is actively used as a fertilizer for potatoes. This valuable organomineral fertilizer gives potatoes a whole range of nutrients. It fights low pH very well, makes the soil more moisture- and air-permeable.
Ash is also valued for its ability to repel wireworms and other soil pests. But if last year's plantings suffered from click beetle larvae, you shouldn't count on ash alone. It is better to treat the soil with bioinsecticides before planting and carry out pre-planting treatment of the tubers.
Option 3. Green manures or «green fertilizers»
Green manures bring double benefits: they saturate the soil with nutrients and at the same time help fight pests. However, in the latter case, you need to select a specific type of green manure.
It is useful to sow «green manures» in the fall and work them into the soil in the spring. In this case, you should not wait until the plants become large and their leaves become hard. But if there was no such opportunity at the end of the season, sowing on potato beds is carried out in the spring. Only you need to choose fast-growing crops, for example, mustard or oilseed radish.
Green manure is usually cut and plowed 2-3 weeks before planting potatoes. You can use suitable plants that have sprouted in other beds in the garden. But you should not oversaturate the soil with vegetation, otherwise the effect will be the opposite: the potatoes will get sick and the harvest will be weak.
According to summer residents, it is useful to sow mixtures of different green manures under potatoes. For example, phacelia and mustard, which will scare away wireworms, or peas and oats/barley to saturate the soil with nitrogen.
Is it possible to bury weeds in the soil? The rhizomes remaining in the soil will sprout again, so all unnecessary grass should be thoroughly weeded.
Calendula and marigolds can be sown between the rows of potatoes, which will scare away the Colorado potato beetle.
To get a tasty potato harvest, you must prepare the beds for planting: clear them of weeds, dig them up and add fertilizer at the same time.