Planting potatoes according to Meathlider
There are quite a few ways to plant potatoes. Every year in each region, gardeners invent their own, the best options. But the most convenient method of planting remains the Meatlider, which makes it possible to significantly facilitate the process of growing potatoes.
What is the point of planting potatoes according to the Meatlider?
Planting potatoes according to Meathlider has several significant advantages:
- Thanks to this method, it is possible not to carry out loosening of the soil and hilling.
- The planting area is significantly saved with a simultaneous increase in yield.
- The method makes it possible to grow potatoes on all types of soil, even the poorest ones.
Wide aisles allow to provide plants with adequate nutrition, plenty of sunlight and heat. As a result, their active development occurs, which has a beneficial effect on productivity. The big plus is that the technology can be used in all climatic zones with different types of soil.
How to plant potatoes for a good harvest?
First you need to carefully select the planting material. Tubers for planting are prepared as follows:
- they need to be put in hot water (50-60 degrees) for 15 minutes;
- then hold for 5-10 minutes in a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate;
- place for germination;
- spray once every 7 days with an aqueous solution of superphosphate;
- after the tubers sprout, they need to be cut into pieces so that each seedling has a small piece of potato.
Small tubers Mitlider do not recommend using for planting. Therefore, seed potatoes are selected from the highest quality root crops.
The potato planting process includes the following steps:
- before planting potatoes, in order to have a good harvest, it is necessary to choose the most sunlit area and level it;
- the soil should be carefully dug up and cleaned of perennial weeds and roots;
- make markings and form narrow, long beds. They are located from north to south, at a distance of 70-100 cm from each other. The recommended bed length is 9 m, width 45 cm. As a result, the maximum illumination of the plants is ensured throughout the day. If the beds are located on a slope, they are formed by steps, in the form of terraces;
- the soil in the beds must be well fertilized with specially developed compounds;
- earth is scooped up on the beds from both sides to form bumpers 10 cm high. They help to retain moisture in the beds and facilitate weed control;
- then you need to make holes for planting potatoes. They are dug out in 2 rows, observing a checkerboard pattern. The distance between the holes is 30 cm, the depth is 7–12 cm;
- in the holes you need to put 1 tbsp. l. biohumus, sprouted potatoes, and cover with earth.
The aisles are not dug up, which also makes it possible for gardeners to facilitate their work. With the next planting, the aisles and beds do not change in places.
Why mulching potatoes?
To protect the soil from the adverse effects of natural factors, it is recommended to cover the beds with mulch after planting.Mulching potatoes are an excellent way to protect young plants. Mulch retains heat and moisture well, promotes rapid plant growth and is an obstacle to the spread of weeds.
In the cool season, it is recommended to mulch with plastic wrap, and in the warm season - with organic materials.
For mulching potatoes with natural substances, compost, tree bark, humus, chopped reeds and hay are most often used. These materials have a beneficial effect on the soil structure and increase the amount of organic matter in it.
To achieve maximum results, the thickness of the mulch layer should be 5–10 cm. If the layer becomes very thin over time due to rain and frequent watering, the procedure must be repeated.
How to grow potatoes correctly?
After planting, potatoes need to be cared for. How to grow potatoes correctly to get a good harvest? It needs to be watered regularly, fed and removed from weeds. It is important that the earth does not dry out in any case, and that moisture and fertilizers are evenly distributed in the garden. According to the Meatlider method, balanced feeding and frequent watering guarantee high yields.
The American scientist offers 2 options for feeding mixtures:
- Composition No. 1: 40 g of boric acid and 5 kg of dolomite flour are mixed. Consumption of the composition - 100 g per 1m² of beds.
- Composition No. 2: magnesium sulfate - 500 g, ammonium nitrate - 1400 g, ammophos - 600 g, molybdic acid - 5 g, boric acid - 5 g, potassium sulfate - 1100 g. Consumption of the composition - 50 g per 1m².
During planting, the beds are first fertilized with the first composition, and then with the second. Further dressings are also carried out with these compositions.
Meatlider recommends 3 dressings during the summer. As mentioned above, the first mineral dressing is done during planting. The second feeding is carried out when the plants grow up to 15 cm, the third - before flowering.
Fertilizers are applied directly in the center of the garden so as not to burn the plant root system.
The potatoes are planted in moist soil. And in order for the fertilizers to be well absorbed in the future, the plants require frequent glaze... It is advisable to water the potatoes every day and make sure that the ground does not dry out. Watering can be done manually or by drip. Watering is done manually using a hose with a moderate flow of water. The jet is directed to the root. This method allows watering at any time of the day, even in the sun. Watering and top dressing ends after flowering.
The Meatlider method is quite simple and makes it possible to significantly reduce physical costs. To obtain a good harvest, it is enough to provide the plants with maximum illumination, systematically feed and carefully monitor the soil moisture.