Planting and growing potatoes according to the Mittlider method for high yields
If you have a small plot of land whose main purpose is to provide the whole family with vegetables all year round, this article is for you. From it you will learn about a simple and effective method of growing potatoes by the Mittlider method.
The content of the article
Who is Mittlider
Jacob Mittlider - International Agricultural Consultantwho studied the experience of gardening and horticulture in different countries of the world.
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences. The author of a unique method of growing vegetables, which guarantees a high yield under different agro-climatic conditions.
The general essence of planting and growing potatoes and other vegetables according to Mittlider
Mittlider has developed a method of growing vegetables, including potatoes, that allows a good harvest from a small area with minimal maintenance. To do this, it is important to follow the methodology to the smallest detail, since an insignificant violation of the rules nullifies all efforts.
The general essence of the method consists in the following features:
- lack of loosening of the soil during the growing season;
- permanent location of beds and row spacings;
- introduction of mineral top dressing;
- regular watering;
- perfect lighting of the site;
- mandatory horizontal arrangement of the beds.
According to the theory presented, the entire area of the land plot is divided into ridges 45 cm wide and 9 m long at a distance of 100 cm from each other. The beds are fertilized, watered and cultivated, without worrying about weeds in the aisles, which, as a result of compaction of the earth, stop growing.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Growing potatoes according to Mittlider has several advantages:
- there is no need to loosen the soil and hilling beds;
- saving space;
- high rates yield;
- universality of technology.
The disadvantages of technology include:
- relief restrictions (slopes, lowlands, lands rich in peat and waterlogged areas are not recommended for use);
- financial costs for the purchase of mineral fertilizers;
- high requirements for the level of lighting;
- obligatory presence of a close water source.
The advantages of narrow beds
The main advantage of Mittlider beds is their width.... With a small ridge, plants receive more light, oxygen and nutrients, therefore they develop much faster. After harvesting, the vacant place is sown with a fast-growing salad, the roots of which, when rotting, replenish the substrate with organic fertilizer.
Other ways to grow potatoes:
Pros and cons of planting potatoes in combs
Suitable potato varieties
For planting potatoes in narrow ridges, it is recommended to use zoned varietiesadapted to local agro-climatic conditions. As for the timing of ripening, there are no restrictions: both early and late varieties are suitable.
How to plant
According to the Mittlider method, potatoes are grown according to certain rules.... This also takes into account the climatic characteristics of the region.
Reference. Experts advise moving to narrow beds gradually, starting with a small amount - 5-6 ridges, the length of which does not exceed 8 m.
Preparing potatoes
The technique involves careful selection of planting material... The author does not recommend using small tubers for planting, therefore, seed material is selected from strong specimens.
Preparing tubers before planting in the beds
Growing potatoes takes place in two stages... First, potatoes are planted in boxes, after which young bushes are transferred to the garden. This process stimulates the development of plants, which provides high yield indicators.
Selected tubers are first disinfected:
- Soak in hot water (50-60 ° C) for 15 minutes.
- Withstand 7-10 minutes in a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
- Placed in boxes with soil for sprouting.
- Exposed to the sun.
- Spray with superphosphate solution once a week.
- As soon as the potatoes germinate, the tubers are cut into several parts so that each has a sprouted eye.
Seedling preparation
For growing potato seedlings, tubers are placed in boxes, the bottom of which is filled with a layer of sawdust, previously spilled with a 0.2% solution of copper sulfate. The thickness of such a layer should be about 3 cm. The planting material is laid out close and sprinkled with a second layer of sawdust.
The filled boxes are placed in a cool (+ 12 ... + 14 ° С), well-lit place. After the short sprouts appear, the tubers are ready for planting. 2 hours before being removed from the boxes, they are spilled with a solution of complex fertilizer, for example, "Zdraven Aqua".
Landing scheme and rules
Potatoes are planted in flat horizontal beds located in a north-south direction... Otherwise, there is an accumulation of moisture and fertilizer on one side, which leads to uneven development of plants.
Each tuber is transferred into a prepared hole along with sawdust and planted in a checkerboard pattern in two rows, eyes up. The surface of the bed is sprinkled and leveled with a rake.
Planting tubers under straw
Some gardeners practice planting potatoes under strawprotecting plantings from bad weather conditions and the germination of weeds.
The protective layer retains heat and moisture, and contributes to soil saturation useful substances. Its thickness should be 10 cm.
Site breakdown
Ridges are marked once a year. To properly divide the area for narrow beds:
- Pick up a flat place, well lit by the sun.
- They dig up the ground in autumn, removing the roots of plants and weeds, and apply fertilizer.
- In the spring, using a rope and pegs, they mark out beds with a width of 45 cm, placing them from north to south to achieve the maximum level of illumination throughout the day. The distance between the beds is from 0.7 to 1 m.
- Another rope is pulled in the center of each strip, along which a shallow groove is dug for fertilizing.
- After adding the mineral mixture, the bed is dug to the depth of the shovel bayonet. The soil is loosened well.
- The surface of the soil is leveled with a rake.
- On both sides of the beds, earthen sides are formed (up to 10 cm high) to save moisture and control weeds.
- The holes are prepared, placing them in two rows in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Wherein hole depth is from 7 to 12 cm.
- The aisles are not dug up.
- On subsequent landings, nothing is changed.
To achieve the desired result compliance with these rules is mandatory.
Mulching
To protect against weed growth, drying out and loss of heat immediately after planting, the beds are mulched... Natural materials such as rotted compost, hay, tree bark, humus, chopped reeds are used as mulch.
The listed substances will not only protect young plants, but also have a positive effect on the soil structure. In the cold season, it is not recommended to mulch plantings with polyethylene, and in summer it is better to avoid organic materials.
Top dressing
Competently selected feeding - one of the important factors for the successful cultivation of potatoes... To do this, use a mixture of mineral fertilizers, compiled by the doctor himself.
You can purchase them at specialty stores or make your own. The author of the method advises to carry out three dressings during the growing season, using mixtures No. 1 and No. 2 of our own design: simultaneously with planting, when the plant reaches a height of 15 cm and before budding.
Mix No. 1 consists of 40 g of boric acid and 5 kg of dolomite flour. For 1 sq. m of beds take 100 g.
Mix No. 2 includes 0.5 kg of magnesium sulfate, 1.4 kg of ammonium nitrate, 0.6 kg of ammophos, 5 g of molybdic acid, 1.1 kg of potassium sulfate, 5 g of boric acid. For 1 sq. m take 50 g.
When feeding, first the first mixture is introduced, then the second... When digging the soil, scatter 100 g of mixture No. 1 per running meter, and then 50 g of mixture No. 2.
Important! Fertilizers are applied in a special groove up to 5 cm deep, made in the center of the bed, and sprinkled with earth. During watering, nutrients penetrate into the soil and are absorbed by the plant roots.
Watering mode
Since potatoes planted in ridges are shallow, they need frequent watering... Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture level daily. If the ground is dry at a depth of 6-8 cm, it is moistened at the rate of 1-2 buckets of water per running meter. Watering is carried out both manually and by drip, following the center line of the garden. Soil moistening is stopped at the end flowering period.
Daily care
Daily potato care consists of watering, which is carried out from the moment of planting until the end of the flowering of the bushes, and removing weeds in the beds... With the correct organization of plantings, all other care activities take place according to the technology plan.
Harvesting technology
After flowering, the tops of early varieties begin to ageb. The stems of mid-season varieties turn yellow in August. To speed up this process, the tops are piled on one side and left in this position for 18 days. When the green part of the plant is dry, the tubers are dug up. The harvested crop is kept for two weeks in a cool dry room, after which sent for storage.
Read also:
What difficulties may arise and how to avoid them
When growing potatoes using narrow bed technology there are some difficulties associated with violation of the basic rules of the method.
Wrong watering regime
In the absence of daily watering, the nutrients included in the fertilizer do not dissolve and do not penetrate deep into the soil. As a result, they accumulate on the surface, having a detrimental effect on plants. In addition, a crust forms on the surface of the earth, preventing air from entering.
Lack or excess of fertilizers
When feeding bushes, you should use mixtures No. 1 and No. 2, developed by Mittlider himself., and strictly follow the recommended dosage of fertilization. Otherwise, a good result is not guaranteed.
Poor mixing of fertilizers
When applying fertilizers, it is necessary to carefully dig up the groundso that nutrients are evenly distributed for the harmonious growth of bushes along the entire length of the ridge.
Uneven beds
If the bed is located on a slope, water and nutrients will only collect on one side of it, resulting in an uneven growth rate. Therefore, it is necessary to level the surface allocated for the beds as much as possible.
Other
When making formula at home, you must use elements strictly according to a certain composition in order to prevent their overabundance. That is why it is not recommended to use complex mineral fertilizers as a component.
Reviews of gardeners about the method
Gardeners speak positively about the Mittlider method.
Vitaly, Perm: “This year I have tried the mitlider beds for growing potatoes. The technology is great for small plots of land, as it provides a larger yield than can be obtained using the traditional method. ".
Anna, Leningrad region: “The Mittlider method in the Russian version is quite effective and gives a good potato crop. No need for hilling is a big plus in growing in this way ".
Svyatoslav, Oryol region: "The technology makes it possible to save time and energy, because wide paths make it easier to access plants.".
Conclusion
Mittleider's non-standard technology significantly reduces labor costs and produces a good potato crop. It is characterized by affordability and efficiency, but it requires strict adherence to all planting and care rules.