A step-by-step guide to growing potatoes in crates and boxes

Potatoes are one of the most popular vegetable crops grown in all regions. To get a large harvest, it is necessary not only to choose the right variety, but also to put a lot of effort into caring for the plants. Planting potatoes in boxes or boxes is one of the experimental ways of growing a crop that allows you to minimize labor costs without sacrificing yield.

This article will tell you how to grow potatoes in boxes, including with air supply.

Features of the method of growing potatoes in boxes

Crop yield depends on soil condition, varieties of potatoes and agrotechnical measures for caring for it.

Tubers are formed at the ends of the stolon shoots extending from the stem... This means that their number directly depends on the length of the underground part of the stem, which can be increased by hilling.

The main advantages of the method growing potatoes in boxes - an opportunity to significantly facilitate the task of the farmer to care for the crop and more efficiently use the area of ​​the site.

Description and essence of the method

The essence of the method is to plant potatoes not in the ground on the site, but in some container - for example, a box or box. As the plants grow, the height of the container is increased and the soil mixture is added - this allows to artificially increase the length of the roots and stimulate the formation of stolons.

Subject to all the recommendations and proper care of the plantings, the yield from one bush is about 5 kg.

Are all varieties suitable

For planting in boxes and boxes potato varieties are suitable, the yield of which is at least 40 t / ha.

Most suitable varieties:

• Shante;
• Slav;
• Nevsky;
• Sineglazka;
• Lugovskoy;
• Reliable;
• Youth;
• American;
• Anosta;
• Belarossa;
• Mona;
• Rezi;
• Lukyanovsky;
• Amazon;
• Marfena;
• Ramono;
• Sant.

Advantages and disadvantages

The purpose of all alternative potato growing methods - minimization of labor costs in the care of the crop. Moreover, in each method there are not only positive, but also negative aspects.

According to experienced farmers, in unconventional methods of growing potatoes such advantages:

• high yield from each bush;
• no need for hilling, weeding, preparation of beds;
• saving the area of ​​the site;
• the method of planting in boxes is suitable for regions with arid climates;
• the risk of attack on the bushes of Colorado beetles is excluded;
• ease of harvesting;
• the possibility of using the method both in open and closed conditions.

disadvantages:

• the need to purchase or self-manufacture boxes;
• the possibility of slugs appearing in boxes or boxes;
• the need for a specially prepared soil mixture;
• constant control of substrate moisture.

Necessary materials

To grow potatoes using this method, you will need standard garden tools.: bayonet shovel, glanders, rakes, garden watering can, boxes and boxes.

Reference. Any plastic, wooden, glass or metal containers are used as boxes.

Conditions for growing in boxes

Growing in boxes requires standard conditions for potatoes:

• air temperature + 15 ... + 25 ° C - with such indicators, the aerial part of the plant grows rapidly and the growth of tubers is activated;
• humidity 70-80% - regular watering is necessary, especially after the beginning of budding;
• intense lighting - this stimulates intensive photosynthesis of green mass, which has a positive effect on the yield and quality of tubers.

In the southern regions, potatoes are shaded - the combination of sunlight and high air temperatures can negatively affect plant growth.

Growing technology in boxes

Planting potatoes in boxes or boxes is a rather unusual way of growing a crop. It does not require much effort and time, but it has some features.

Selection and preparation of containers

It is important that the potato planting container is not toxic and had a size of at least 0.125 cubic meters.

For self-manufacturing of the box you will need four wooden pegs approximately 0.5 m long and 20 wooden planks measuring 50x10 cm.

They are connected to each other so that a stable frame is obtained. Then dense plywood is attached to it, which will serve as the bottom.

Preparing tubers for planting

Tubers should be evenly colored, elastic, free from damage and signs of rot... It is better to choose medium-sized planting material, weighing about 50-80 g. Small tubers will give a low yield, and large ones will use forces to develop the aboveground part.

Before planting tubers in the ground germinate - spread out in the light until small seedlings appear. Green specimens are not discarded - in the process of growth, the poisonous solanine accumulated in them is naturally converted into safe substances.

Soil preparation

With this method, you cannot use ordinary land from the site - it will not provide plants with the necessary nutrients and under such conditions it has extremely low air permeability.

A light and nutritious peat-based substrate is suitable - it is responsible for creating the most suitable microclimate and nutritional balance and retains moisture during dry periods. To reduce acidity and improve the quality of the soil mixture, peat is diluted by a quarter with river sand, and then 70-80 g of limestone flour is added for every 10 kg of the mixture.

You can mix turf and humus in equal proportions or compost, then add a glass of wood ash to 10 kg of such soil.

Important! You can not take the land from the place of the previous planting of potatoes because of the likelihood of containing toxins, larvae of pests and infectious agents in it.

When to land

Considering that the growing season of potatoes is 3-4 months, and the optimum air temperature for the development of tubers and the green part is + 15 ... + 25 ° C, the optimal time for planting tubers is May.

Landing technology

The method of growing crops in boxes is very similar to the traditional method., but still has some nuances.

Landing technology:

1. Install boxes in the selected location.
2. Place a brick under each corner to create a small and well-ventilated foundation.
3. Put paper at the bottom of the boxes, pour a mixture of humus and expanded clay on top (layer thickness - 5-10 cm).
4. Put sprouted tubers in boxes, keeping a distance of 15-20 cm between them.
5. Cover them with prepared soil mixture and cover the ground with straw or moss.

When the sprouts reach a height of 10 cm, they are again covered with soil. and do this until budding begins.

Further care

Potatoes in crates are easy to maintain and needs standard agrotechnical measures: watering, feeding, protection from diseases and pests.

Top dressing

Top dressing scheme:

• two weeks after planting the tubers - a solution of mullein or chicken droppings with the addition of urea;
• at the beginning of the active growth of green mass and the formation of tubers - potash-phosphorus fertilizers;
• 20 days before harvest - a mixture of manure and superphosphate.

Fertilizers root or spray them the green part of the plants.

Watering mode

Potatoes are watered once every 7-10 days at the rate of 5-10 liters of water for each container... It is important that the entire substrate down to the lower layers is moist. At the same time, it should not be allowed to become waterlogged - this leads to the development of putrefactive processes.

Watering is carried out in the morning or in the evening to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.

Protection against diseases and pests

As a preventive measure for the development of diseases and pest attacks, plants are treated 2-3 times per season insecticidal and fungicidal preparations - for example, "Aktara", "Confidor" or "Prestige".

Important! Processing begins no earlier than a month after planting.

What difficulties can you face in the process of growing in boxes

Cultivating potatoes in crates can cause problems like this:

• decay of root crops in case of excessive watering - this can be avoided by removing the bottom in the box or making holes in it;
• drying out of plants due to loss of moisture in the absence of mulching;
• poor growth and development of culture in case of improper placement of boxes - for example, in the shade.

When and how to harvest

Under optimal climatic conditions, potatoes in boxes ripen in 3-4 months after planting tubers - in central Russia it is most often mid-September. Dry tops indicate the readiness of the crop for harvesting.

Reference. Under favorable weather conditions, the harvest can lie in boxes until early October.

To harvest, simply disassemble the box and empty the contents... An additional advantage of this method of growing potatoes is that all tubers remain clean, undamaged with a shovel or pitchfork.

Tips and tricks from experienced gardeners

Experienced farmers recommend:

1. About 10-15 days before harvest, cut the tops of the potatoes - this way the tubers will ripen better and the skin will become dense.
2. To prevent early budding, water the soil mixture with compost and protect the plants from excessive sunlight.
3. When planting tubers in early spring, cover the boxes with agrofibre or plastic wrap.

Conclusion

Growing potatoes in crates is a popular technology. Farmers often use this method because it allows them to minimize labor costs, save space on the site, and still get a rich harvest. It is important to choose a suitable potato variety and high-quality seed, not to neglect the rules of crop care. Then you will certainly have a rich and healthy harvest!