What to put in the hole when planting potatoes?

Usually, potatoes are not fed during the growing season, for this reason, the bulk of the nutrients must be added to the holes during planting of the vegetable. In the article, we will take a closer look at what to put in the hole when planting potatoes.

In order for the potato to grow well, it is necessary to feed it in the spring. First of all, it needs micro- and macroelements, such as nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, copper. If you ensure the introduction of all the necessary fertilizers in the spring, then the potatoes will improve significantly, namely:

• the level of the harvest will increase;
• taste and appearance will improve;
• the soil will be enriched with all the necessary components for the normal development of potatoes;
• the vegetable becomes resistant to various diseases.

Mineral fertilizers are recommended to be added to the holes during planting potatoes in the spring. You should adhere to those doses that are presented in the instructions, then you get a healthy and rich harvest. Mineral fertilizers are presented in several varieties.

• Urea (urea). This option is used quite often for growing potatoes. This fertilizer is ideal for alkaline soil. In each hole, 1 teaspoon of urea should be added, then it is sprinkled with earth, then the planting material is placed. On average, one hundred square meters of territory will require 2 kg of urea.
• Ammonium nitrate... This fertilizer can be used every year and is quite cheap. Initially, the fertilizer is sold in the form of granules, from which a solution is already prepared. It can be used alone or in tandem with a fungicidal preparation. In the second case, the potatoes can be soaked before planting. One hole will require about 4-5 granules of ammonium nitrate, but if the potatoes grow in poor soil, then up to 10 granules can be used.

The introduction of complex fertilizers allows you to strengthen the root system of the vegetable, accelerate the formation of root tubers, and also increases resistance to various fungal diseases. A fairly wide range of complex fertilizers is on sale, for example, "BioMaster", "Biona", "Fasco", "Hera", Agros and others. Let's consider several popular types.

• Ammofoska... This option includes several elements: phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. They increase the yield as well as the shelf life of the vegetable.
• Nitrophoska and nitroammofosk. These fertilizers include potassium chloride, superphosphate, potash and ammonium nitrate. With their help, the fertility of the soil and the protection of potatoes from various diseases are increased. One well will require 0.5 teaspoon of nitrophoska and 10 grams of bone meal.
• Azofoska... This fertilizer is often used for various plants. It contains sulfur, potassium, phosphorus and a lot of nitrogen. This mix is ​​quite easily assimilated by various plants, including potatoes. Azofoska can be used alone or in combination with other fertilizers. To fertilize potatoes, it is necessary to add about 3 grams of azophoska to each well.
• Superphosphate... If you need a fertilizer containing phosphorus, then superphosphate is the best solution. The composition of this fertilizer includes calcium, sulfur and other elements that are easily absorbed by potatoes. With the help of superphosphate, the vegetative mass is built up, the taste of root crops is improved.

This type of fertilizer includes waste products, so it is environmentally friendly. It is advisable to use organic fertilizers when growing vegetables, so as not to use chemicals. Each type of organic matter has features that must be taken into account when choosing a fertilizer.

• Manure... For potatoes, fertilization with fresh manure is optimal as it promotes rapid growth and development. When manure is added, the quality of the soil improves, it becomes looser and more fertile, and the roots of plants receive moisture and oxygen in full. It is for potatoes that it is desirable to use cow or horse manure. They are added to the soil in the fall after harvest. You will need 10 kg of organic matter per square meter. During the winter, manure gradually decomposes and generates heat, which is so necessary for potatoes after planting. And in the spring, you can add a composition that includes 2 tablespoons of superphosphate and potassium sulfate, as well as 150 grams of rotted manure per hole. Manure can be applied only once every 3-4 years.
• Bird droppings. This fertilizer is also quite popular as it contains many nutrients and minerals. For this reason, it can only be applied to the soil diluted. You should mix bird droppings and water in a ratio of 1: 20 and leave for 5 days. If you do not adhere to the proportions, the roots can burn. Just 1 liter of chicken manure infusion is enough for a potato bush.
• Wood ash. This fertilizer includes phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, nitrogen and other valuable minerals. You should be aware that the chemical composition of ash depends on the wood species burned. The addition of such a composition will improve the palatability, help the rapid development of tubers, increase the green mass, and also become more nutritious soil. It is recommended to add wood ash in the form of infusion. 80 grams of ash is enough for one hole.
• Compost... This is the cheapest organic fertilizer. On the site, you can dig a hole into which all the remnants of vegetables, fruits, vegetation, and even the remnants of food from the table will be collected. From time to time, layers of sand or soil should be made. Periodically, the compost needs to be stirred and pierced with a stick to release gases that are formed due to rotting organic matter. After a year or a year and a half, humus is ready for use.

Ready-made mixtures from different manufacturers are on sale, which contain all the necessary substances to improve the quality of potatoes. Sometimes they contain special components, with the help of which the culture assimilates fertilizers better. Let's dwell on several ready-made mixtures.

• "WMD potato" - a universal fertilizer that has a fairly long-term effect. Using this organic mineral fertilizer does not require additional use of other additives. Potatoes become resistant to fungal diseases and rotting is also prevented. Apply no more than 1 tablespoon of top dressing per hole. If this drug is combined with potassium magnesium in a 5: 1 ratio, then the effectiveness will increase significantly.
• "Kemira potato" Is a popular potato feed. It is chlorine free, safe and easy to use. The balanced composition increases the yield of root crops by about 70-100%. Only 20 grams of this substance should be added to the hole.
• "Fertika potato" - an excellent product containing important trace elements, while it does not contain chlorine. This dressing improves the growth of tubers, as well as their keeping quality. Only 15 grams is enough per hole.
• Agromax - it is a fairly well-known remedy that includes organic ingredients. It is ideal for enhancing growth. If used to plant potatoes, then it is an excellent substitute for phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. It is very important to read the instructions in detail before use, since the method of application primarily depends on which crop it is used for. On average, 1 square meter will require about 2.5 liters of solution, which is recommended to be done a few days before use.

Many gardeners like to use folk methods for feeding potatoes during planting. Such funds are available and inexpensive, contain all the necessary mineral complex for the active growth and development of tubers. In this case, it is very important to adhere to the recipe and dosage. Let's consider several options.

• Slurry. To increase yields and improve soil quality, a product made from manure is ideal. It is completely organic and has a positive effect on plant growth. For cooking, you need to take a barrel of 100-200 liters, then fill it with manure by about 2/3, and add water to the top. It is recommended to cover the barrel and leave for 12 days, while stirring several times a day. Finally, it is recommended to use 1 kg of wood ash per 100 liters of slurry. Only 1 liter of slurry is required per hole. The most nutritious is rabbit or horse manure.
• Onion peel. This option is ideal for protecting potatoes from wireworms. Initially, it is worth saving up onion peels. When planting, one handful of onion husks should be poured into each hole under the potato. To make the remedy more effective, it is enough to mix onion peels and coniferous litter.
• Eggshell. The use of egg shells allows you to protect the crop not only from the wireworm, but also from the bear. It should be noted that the shells must be raw, the eggs do not need to be pre-cooked. It is recommended to dry the shell thoroughly, grind it thoroughly and pour a handful into each hole before planting the potatoes.
• Dolomite flour. This product can be an excellent food for potatoes if they are planted on acidic soil. In each hole for planting, you need to put 50-100 grams of dolomite flour. In addition, many gardeners stressed that the Colorado potato beetle is getting smaller.
• Mustard cake. This natural fertilizer is suitable for heavily depleted land. In addition, this tool will help protect potatoes from various harmful insects and their larvae. It is recommended to pour one tablespoon of cake powder into the hole.

Inexperienced gardeners often make mistakes. Let's consider a few common ones.

• Often the tubers are placed for top dressing. It is better to mix the fertilizer with a small amount of soil, and then place the potatoes there. Otherwise, strong drugs can harm the planting material.
• The permissible dosage has been exceeded. In order for fertilization to be extremely beneficial, you need to adhere to the amount, do not use more fertilizer, since an excess of fertilizing can, on the contrary, lead to the drying up of the future crop.