Growing potatoes in bags
The main task of the gardener is to grow a high yield. To achieve this goal, a large area with fertile soil is required. Unfortunately, not everyone can boast of having such property, so you have to use various methods to increase the yield of vegetable crops.
Peculiarities
The method of growing potatoes in bags is not a novelty in gardening, but it has been used relatively recently. This method has gained great popularity among gardeners who cannot boast of potato yields. The reason for this is the lack of useful trace elements in the soil.
The process of growing potatoes in bags requires the use of soil with the presence of minerals and beneficial bacteria.
An important advantage of this method lies in the minimum space. You can arrange landings in the most convenient place, the main thing is to have free access to them. This method of increasing the yield reduces labor costs, while there is no need to dig up the beds, there is no need to hill up the growing bushes.
Another plus is the soil used. Since it is prepared in advance and saturated with microelements, the potato crop will not have to be saved from pests, and even more so from diseases.
The most important thing for every gardener is to see the fruits of their labor. And this technology of growing in bags brings only pleasure. No need to dig up the ground and harvest the beds, just disassemble the bag.
There are several nuances that may alert and raise doubts about the use of this method.
- It is necessary to carefully monitor the level of soil moisture in bags, but if you think about it, in an ordinary garden, the irrigation technology is almost the same, with the only difference that garden plantings can be additionally fed from groundwater and rainwater.
- The bags must be firmly on the floor, otherwise they may fall and the crop may die. In order not to jeopardize planted vegetables, large bags with a wide bottom should be used.
- For planting, nutrient soil is needed. Its preparation should be done in advance. To obtain the ideal composition, you will need fertile land from the garden plot and humus.
- After harvesting, it is strictly forbidden to use the soil from the bag for other purposes. It will need to be disposed of.
This scheme for growing potatoes can radically change the opinion of others about gardening. You can use this method even while living in an apartment, for example, on a balcony.
Tools
The method of growing potato crops in bags suggests the presence some material, without which, unfortunately, it is impossible to do:
- container;
- priming;
- planting material.
Preparatory work
In the process of preparation, it is necessary to carefully study each step of the work. One small mistake can lead to a small harvest or its complete absence.
First you need to choose a container and a room for its storage. To date, there are special bags for beds, but you can get by with improvised means.
Land for planting must have the necessary trace elements.Tubers in an open area in the garden require less nutrients than planting in bags. The ideal composition for the soil is a mixture of garden soil and pre-prepared compost. The proportion is one to one. You can use ordinary land from the garden, but the yield guarantee will be small.
Planting potatoes should be of an early variety, but medium varieties can also be used. The tubers selected for planting are treated in advance against diseases with special compounds.
How to grow?
To date, the technology of growing potatoes in bags is very important for every gardener. Understanding the intricacies of the process will eventually please you with a great harvest. The main thing is not to rush and follow the instructions step by step.
Planting of tubers is carried out in good, stable, warm weather, presumably this time is at the end of April or in May. Bags for future landings are placed in a pre-selected place. The edges of the containers need to be tucked up to make it easier to fill the bags with soil. Next, lay out moistened loose soil on the bottom of the container. The thickness of the layer should be approximately 25-30 cm. Decontaminated potato tubers are laid out on top of this layer, it is desirable that they be germinated. The distance between the tubers is about 3-4 cm. If the potatoes are small, then the distance can be made a little larger, or the number of tubers planted in the bag can be supplemented by one or two pieces. About two to four potatoes fall into one bag.
Planted tubers are covered with loosened soil. The thickness of this layer should not be less than 15 cm.
After about 13-15 days, initial sprouts will appear on the surface of the beds, which will subsequently need to be sprinkled with earth when their height is about 10-15 cm, but so that several leaves are visible at the top.
This procedure will be repeated until the container is nearly full. The sprinkling process is necessary for the cultivation of new roots, which will later please with a large harvest. A small layer of straw must be laid on top of the sprouts.
With all the manipulations, the garden in bags needs full care. The main thing is a humid environment. Being in a dense container, water evaporates very quickly. A dry environment for sprouts threatens with death.
For the entire growing period, you can feed the potato crop once. For this, a fertilizer of potash or phosphorus composition is suitable. Solutions must be prepared according to the instructions. Feed the plants, taking into account the ratio: 1 liter of top dressing is spent on 1 bush. The main thing is not to overdo it with nitrogen and nitrates, which can slow down the ripening process and negatively affect the quality of potatoes.
Around the end of August, the crop will ripen and can be harvested. Subject to all the rules for planting and caring for 3-4 potatoes, approximately 5-6 kg is obtained.
By the huge number of reviews, you can understand how famous this method is. Moreover, gardeners and gardeners are trying to introduce something new, use other materials, thereby trying to achieve an increase in crop growth.
- For ease of planting and growing, use sugar bags. You can plant in plastic garbage bags. The main condition is the presence of slots in the lower part of the container, due to which air circulation occurs.The same will need to be done in a plastic bag.
- Beds in bags should stand upright so that the sprouts reach up.
- This method is used exclusively in bag containers. Growing potatoes in barrels or boxes is not recommended. The harvest will be small, but the time and effort spent can no longer be returned.
- Experienced housewives set a goal and were able to grow a good crop of potatoes in bags right on their balcony. Following the technology of planting and care, 4 kg of potatoes were obtained from three tubers.
Tips
To use the method of growing potatoes in bags, you should pay attention to the variety of tubers. It is recommended to pay attention to potatoes with large root crops, preferably those that do not require special care.
As for the soil, its harvesting should be done in the fall. Just the earth will go through all the stages of preparation.
Before planting, potato tubers must be disinfected. The easiest way for this procedure is done about two weeks before planting the vegetable in bags.
- It is necessary to peel the garlic and pass it through a press.
- Pour the resulting mass with cold water in the ratio of 10 liters per 2 kg of garlic, mix thoroughly and leave for about 2 hours.
- After the specified time, potatoes are lowered into the prepared infusion. The water should cover it completely.
- Tubers should spend at least 5 hours in garlic water.
- After passing through the disinfection process, the potatoes must be laid out in a ventilated place with access to sunlight. The room temperature should not exceed +18 degrees.
This method protects the tubers from possible diseases, and also stimulates the growth of potatoes. In 13-14 days, small sprouts 3-5 cm long will appear on the potatoes, after which they can be safely planted in a bag.Tubers without sprouts must be disposed of.
You should focus on caring for plants. Sunlight should not burn them with direct rays. In a pre-prepared place for growing, there should be good air circulation. The moisture content of the soil of planted potatoes requires maximum attention. On average, one bag has to pour about 8 liters of water 2 times a week. If the capacity of the bed is large, then watering, respectively, will be increased. Especially a lot of water is consumed by potatoes during the flowering period. If you miss these moments, you can completely lose the crop.
To avoid waterlogging of the soil, small cuts are made in the lower part of the tank. They also help bring the necessary air to the plants.
See below for a unique way to grow potatoes in a bag.