How to grow bagged potatoes?
Potatoes are the main component of the diet, so their planting occupies most of the plot in the garden. It is good if it has a decent size and fertile soil. And what about those gardeners whose possessions are located on poor soil, or very small? In this case, it is worth learning how to grow potatoes in bags. This method will allow you to get a crop, even without having a place for planting, moreover, does not require much effort.
Method advantages
Growing potatoes in bags is the least costly method, both financially and physically:
- such "beds" do not need to be weeded and hilled constantly;
- there are no costs for annual plowing;
- potatoes are not subject to soil diseases;
- planting does not affect pests that live in the garden land in ordinary beds;
- shoots sprout more amicably and grow more powerful than garden shoots;
- root crops do not rot;
- harvesting is much easier and faster.
And of course, after harvesting the potatoes, the soil mixture remains in the bags. It can be poured into a flowerbed under flowers or under crops in vegetable beds, provided that they do not have common diseases with potatoes.
As for the negative aspects of this method, there are practically none. Unless for cultivation, you will need a lot of substrate and constant control of moisture in the bags.
Preparation of the soil and "beds"
For growing potatoes, you can purchase special bags that have a valve for harvesting and airing. To minimize material costs, the tubers are planted in ordinary bags for sugar or flour.
If the bag is made of a durable material that does not allow water to pass through, small holes should be made in the bottom of it before landing. This is necessary so that excess moisture can drain freely.
To fill the bags, use soil from the garden, mixing it with humus (rotted sawdust or leaves, manure). It is also good to add a little clay - this will drain the water more slowly and the soil will not dry out.
Do not use soil from an area where crops of the Solanaceae family grew. It is also worth avoiding places where the bear lives, so as not to bring the pest from the outside.
The technology of planting potatoes in bags
Potatoes are planted in late April - early May. To do this, the bag is slightly tucked up and the first layer of soil is poured onto the bottom. The layer thickness depends on the size of the bag (10-35 cm).
Landing is done in one of the following ways:
- In one layer. 5-6 sprouted potatoes are spread on the soil mixture (eyes up), a little sprinkled with earth and watered.
- In several layers. The tubers are placed in two tiers with a soil layer between them.
When the sprouts are 7 cm high, add earth until it covers them. Only the tops of the leaves remain on top. As the bushes grow, soil is also added until the bag is 2/3 full of its height.
Some gardeners fill the bags completely, place them (rather than put them) on the ground and make cross-shaped cuts where they plant the tubers.
The bags of potatoes should be placed in a sunny place and watered regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.