Watering potatoes: timing, methods. When Do Potatoes Need Watering?

Potatoes are extremely sensitive to lack of moisture in the soil. The not too extensive, reaching a depth of 30 cm, the root system of this culture has a significant load. In a short growing season, the plant not only grows a large amount of greenery, but also should give what it is cultivated for - tubers.

How to choose the optimal time for watering, how often to water potatoes in open ground so that the harvest does not disappoint either in quantity or quality? With a lack of moisture, it is not worth waiting for a good harvest of potatoes. But the excessive water content in the soil will also not be beneficial.

When to water potatoes after planting in the ground?

Until the first leaves appear above the ground, the potatoes do not really need additional watering. If the planting took place on wet ground, then at first this moisture is quite enough for the plant. But with the development of the plant, and especially with the beginning of the formation of buds, the need increases sharply.

The time when watering potatoes after planting is simply necessary comes:

• when potato sprouts rise 5–10 cm above the ground, that is, 2 weeks after the seedlings hatch;
• when plants set buds, which means the beginning of the formation of tubers;
• when tubers gain weight, which in middle lane occurs in the first half of August.

When using quality planting material and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology, potatoes can produce up to one and a half tons of tubers per hundred square meters.

Timing and amount of watering in hot weather

At the same time, experienced potato growers answered the question: “Should potatoes be watered?” respond that it is necessary. After all, the rains in the summer months are extremely irregular, and the gardener cannot be sure that the roots of the plant do not lack moisture. And in some regions, the heat is accompanied by strong winds, which contribute to the evaporation of moisture from the soil. How do the terms change in this case, how often do you water potatoes in the open field in windy sunny weather?

• In such weather, potatoes need abundant watering every 4-5 days.
• If the air temperature is moderate, plantings can be watered no more than once every 8-10 days.

Although solar energy and heat are necessary for plants, lack of moisture or irregular unscheduled watering can adversely affect both the number of tubers and their quality:

• When potatoes are watered for the first time after planting, this ensures the growth of the above-ground part of the plant.
• Water entering the soil in June and July, when the plants are preparing to bloom, multiplies the number of tubers.
• Later waterings lay the foundation for large, full-bodied potatoes.

Features and terms of watering early potatoes

Bushes experiencing water deficiency, already at the beginning of the growing season, do not form enough stolons on which tubers could appear. As a result, instead of several dozen potatoes on a bush, there are from 5 to 12 pieces. Therefore, especially for varieties early term maturation, spring-summer watering is so important.

How to properly water potatoes to get early harvest? The first watering is carried out in the middle of the bush, when the sprouts rise by 5–10 cm. At the same time, at least three liters of moisture should fall on each bush. Receiving at this time a sufficient amount of moisture, the bushes develop not only above-ground part, but also give stolons diverging to the sides.

Compared to potatoes autumn collection, early varieties consume less water, but do it more intensively. Therefore, it is unacceptable for the soil under the plants to dry out.

If the hand submerged to the depth of the fingers in the ground remains dry, should the potatoes be watered? Yes, this is a sure sign that plants are "thirsty".

• As the bush develops, the volume of moisture consumed grows to 6 liters per day.
• If we take into account that part of the water evaporates from the soil, then at least 12 liters of moisture should fall under each plant in hot, dry weather.

This rule also applies when planting mid-season varieties.

Watering during the emergence and growth of tubers

It is extremely important to moisten the soil during the period of tuber formation, corresponding to the time interval between the appearance of the first buds and mass flowering of potatoes. You can’t wait for the buds to appear in large numbers, even single flower stalks are a sign for the start of watering, which will not be slow to affect the yield increase by 15–30%.

Another critical period when watering potatoes after planting is extremely important is related to the growth of tubers:

• The beginning of this period of time coincides with the end of flowering.
• The ripening of the future crop ends with the death of the tops.
• For one watering, plants should receive about 20 liters of water, it is this amount that can completely wet the arable layer.

To avoid the development of late blight, you need to water the potatoes so that by night, when the air temperature drops, the foliage is dry.

How to water potatoes correctly to avoid scab, cracks and deformities on tubers?

When large, but ugly potatoes are found when digging up tubers, this is perplexing for many gardeners. Really uneven tubers irregular shape- This is the result of irregular watering, between which the plants have been in conditions of moisture deficiency for a long time.

In drought, potato growth slows down, and soil moisture starts this process again. As a result, growth points develop unevenly, and the tuber receives bizarre shape. If the terms of watering potatoes are observed and the soil remains moist during the formation and growth of tubers, the potatoes turn out to be even, not affected by scab, and cracks do not appear on their surface.

Creating comfortable conditions for potatoes

How to properly water potatoes and calculate the time when watering is really needed?

• The best time to water during hot weather is in the evening. Often applied morning watering can be dangerous due to the fact that the rapidly rising sun burns wet tops.
• The minimum volume of water per bush is 3 liters. The specific amount of moisture is determined based on weather conditions, soil type and potato variety. Light, loose soils require more watering than loams and chernozems.

There are different opinions on how to properly water potatoes:

• Some gardeners consider root watering a priority.
• Others prefer to moisten furrow plantings.
• During the long absence of rain early potatoes Irrigation has a good effect, after which the soil is loosened to retain moisture.

Dry watering and mulch - an effective addition to watering

No wonder this method is called "dry watering". This technique not only successfully retains water in the soil. Loosening replaces watering and with sufficient humidity. Potatoes do not respond well to overly dense soils. Loose soil is easily permeable to nutrients and air. However, such work is possible only with the emergence of seedlings.

You can save irrigation water and slightly extend the time for watering potatoes by actively using mulch from beveled, aged sawdust and other organic matter on the beds. When the summer heat sets in, the mulch provides the plants with a comfortable coolness, condenses moisture from the air, and becomes top dressing as it rots.

Watering potatoes - video

Potatoes are among the crops that are sensitive to insufficient watering. To get a bountiful harvest of healthy tubers, you should learn how to properly water the potatoes during the season.

Immediately after planting in open ground, the culture does not require watering. The ground is still sufficiently moist after the spring snowmelt and there is no need for additional moisture. Before the tops grow to 12 cm, the potatoes have enough moisture that is in the soil and air.

An increased need for water in potatoes appears approximately 5 weeks after planting. At this time, the first watering is carried out based on the norm of 4 liters per bush. Further, the frequency of watering is once a decade until the appearance flower buds on potatoes.

Important! Do not water plants with ice water from wells or water pipes! It is necessary to defend water in irrigation containers or collect it in ponds or lakes.

Watering rules before and after flowering

When the first flower stalks appeared on the potato plant, it means that tubers are already actively forming underground. From this moment on, the water rate per bush increases and should be 10 - 12 liters. For better absorption of water by the soil, it is poured into previously prepared furrows along the rows of potatoes. You can organize a drip irrigation system on the field, this will save water and time spent on work. With the help of drip tapes, liquid fertilizing can also be carried out.

Watering rules during active tuber growth

At the time when the plant has finished flowering, the formed tubers begin rapid growth. It is important not to stop watering and increase the amount of moisture to 18 liters per plant.

The signal for the beginning of the reduction in watering is the drying of the potato tops. This means that the tubers begin to ripen, and excessive moisture can damage them. It is necessary to completely finish watering the plantings 10-14 days before harvesting.

Watering potatoes in conditions of heat and drought

In conditions elevated temperature air, strong winds and lack of rain, the soil loses precious moisture especially strongly. Therefore, potatoes require frequent watering, at least once every 5 to 6 days. It is advisable to carry out the evening irrigation of the tops with warm water (that is, to carry out irrigation by sprinkling), this will refresh the plant, wash off the dust from the leaves and give the air the necessary humidity.

How much water does a plant need? You can check the exact watering needs of a potato bush by dipping your hand into the ground near the bush. If the soil is dry at a depth of 12 - 14 cm, then the time has already come to water.

In the dry season, it is reasonable to mulch plantings. This technique will reduce the loss of soil moisture from evaporation and help plants to endure difficult times more easily.

How to water early potato varieties

If the gardener decided to plant early potatoes, he must take into account that early potatoes grow quickly and he needs special care. It reacts especially sharply to a lack of moisture - it sharply reduces the number of tubers in the bush. It is important not to skip the phase of the beginning of the formation of tubers, that is, the phase of the beginning of flowering and give the plants the right rate moisture.

Interesting! If you carry out “salty” watering (a glass of salt on a bucket of water) by sprinkling at the time of the release of the Colorado potato beetle larvae, then pests will not like such a salty shower.

Creating comfortable conditions for the growth of potatoes

It is preferable to water in the evening. This will help you avoid getting sunburn wet potato leaves.

In observing the norm of irrigation, one should focus not only on the growing season of potatoes and weather conditions, but also on the type of soil. sandy soils, for example, require more moisture than loams.

Watering should not be cold. Only soft water comfortable temperature. Do not allow interruptions in watering. A sharp supply of moisture to the plant after a long drought leads to the formation of cracks in the tubers.

Signs and results of improper watering of potatoes

The lack of water affects general development plants and yield levels:

Excess moisture is no better than its lack.

In waterlogged soil, diseases (late blight, rot) develop, the roots lack oxygen, and the potato crop is poorly stored.

Potatoes are extremely sensitive to lack of moisture in the soil. The not too extensive, reaching a depth of 30 cm, the root system of this culture has a significant load. In a short growing season, the plant not only grows a large amount of greenery, but also should give what it is cultivated for - tubers.

How to choose the optimal time for watering, how often to water potatoes in the open field so that the crop does not disappoint either in quantity or quality? With a lack of moisture, it is not worth waiting for a good harvest of potatoes. But the excessive water content in the soil will also not be beneficial.

When to water potatoes after planting in the ground?

Until the first leaves appear above the ground, the potatoes do not really need additional watering. If the planting took place on wet ground, then at first this moisture is quite enough for the plant. But with the development of the plant, and especially with the beginning of the formation of buds, the need increases sharply.

The time when watering potatoes after planting is simply necessary comes:

• when potato sprouts rise 5–10 cm above the ground, that is, 2 weeks after the seedlings hatch;
• when plants set buds, which means the beginning of the formation of tubers;
• when tubers gain weight, which in the middle lane occurs in the first half of August.

When using high-quality planting material and observing the rules of agricultural technology, potatoes can produce up to one and a half tons of tubers per hundred square meters.

Timing and amount of watering in hot weather

At the same time, experienced potato growers answered the question: “Should potatoes be watered?” answer that watering is necessary. After all, the rains in the summer months are extremely irregular, and the gardener cannot be sure that the roots of the plant do not lack moisture. And in some regions, the heat is accompanied by strong winds, which contribute to the evaporation of moisture from the soil. How do the terms change in this case, how often do you water potatoes in the open field in windy sunny weather?

• In such weather, potatoes need abundant watering every 4-5 days.
• If the air temperature is moderate, plantings can be watered no more than once every 8-10 days.

Although plants need solar energy and heat, lack of moisture or irregular unscheduled watering can negatively affect both the number of tubers and their quality:

• When potatoes are watered for the first time after planting, this ensures the growth of the above-ground part of the plant.
• Water entering the soil in June and July, when the plants are preparing to bloom, multiplies the number of tubers.
• Later waterings lay the foundation for large, full-bodied potatoes.

Features and terms of watering early potatoes

Bushes experiencing water deficiency, already at the beginning of the growing season, do not form enough stolons on which tubers could appear. As a result, instead of several dozen potatoes on a bush, there are from 5 to 12 pieces. Therefore, especially for varieties of early ripening, spring-summer watering is so important.

How to water potatoes for an early harvest? The first watering is carried out in the middle of the bush, when the sprouts rise by 5–10 cm. At the same time, at least three liters of moisture should fall on each bush. Receiving at this time a sufficient amount of moisture, the bushes develop not only the aerial part, but also give stolons diverging to the sides.

Compared to autumn harvested potatoes, early varieties consume less water, but do so more intensively. Therefore, it is unacceptable for the soil under the plants to dry out.

If the hand submerged to the depth of the fingers in the ground remains dry, should the potatoes be watered? Yes, this is a sure sign that plants are "thirsty".

• As the bush develops, the volume of moisture consumed grows to 6 liters per day.
• If we take into account that part of the water evaporates from the soil, then at least 12 liters of moisture should fall under each plant in hot, dry weather.

This rule also applies when planting mid-season varieties.

Watering during the emergence and growth of tubers

It is extremely important to moisten the soil during the period of tuber formation, corresponding to the time interval between the appearance of the first buds and mass flowering of potatoes. You can’t wait for the buds to appear in large numbers, even single flower stalks are a sign for the start of watering, which will not be slow to affect the yield increase by 15–30%.

Another critical period when watering potatoes after planting is extremely important is related to the growth of tubers:

• The beginning of this period of time coincides with the end of flowering.
• The ripening of the future crop ends with the death of the tops.
• For one watering, plants should receive about 20 liters of water, it is this amount that can completely wet the arable layer.

To avoid the development of late blight, you need to water the potatoes so that by night, when the air temperature drops, the foliage is dry.

How to water potatoes correctly to avoid scab, cracks and deformities on tubers?

When large, but ugly potatoes are found when digging up tubers, this is perplexing for many gardeners. In fact, uneven, irregularly shaped tubers are the result of irregular watering, between which the plants have been in conditions of moisture deficiency for a long time.

In drought, potato growth slows down, and soil moisture starts this process again. As a result, growth points develop unevenly, and the tuber gets a bizarre shape. If the terms of watering potatoes are observed and the soil remains moist during the formation and growth of tubers, the potatoes turn out to be even, not affected by scab, and cracks do not appear on their surface.

Creating comfortable conditions for potatoes

How to properly water potatoes and calculate the time when watering is really needed?

• The best time to water during hot weather is in the evening. Often applied morning watering can be dangerous due to the fact that the rapidly rising sun burns wet tops.
• The minimum volume of water per bush is 3 liters. The specific amount of moisture is determined based on weather conditions, soil type and potato variety. Light, loose soils require more watering than loams and chernozems.

There are different opinions on how to properly water potatoes:

• Some gardeners consider root watering a priority.
• Others prefer to moisten furrow plantings.
• During a long absence of rain, early potatoes are well affected by irrigation, after which the soil is loosened to retain moisture.

Dry watering and mulch - an effective addition to watering

No wonder this method is called "dry watering". This technique not only successfully retains water in the soil. Loosening replaces watering and with sufficient humidity. Potatoes do not respond well to overly dense soils. Loose soil is easily permeable to nutrients and air. However, such work is possible only with the emergence of seedlings.

You can save irrigation water and slightly stretch the time for watering potatoes by actively using mulch from beveled green manure, aged sawdust and other organic matter on the beds. When the summer heat sets in, the mulch provides the plants with a comfortable coolness, condenses moisture from the air, and becomes top dressing as it rots.

Watering potatoes - video

glav-dacha.ru

Irrigation of potatoes and its effect on yield

Potatoes have a poorly developed root system, so they really need oxygen. The best air and moisture exchange is carried out in sufficiently moist and loose soil. However, prolonged watering of potatoes leads to waterlogging and death of the root system. Therefore, when looking for a site for planting, it is better to choose light soils that retain friability for a long time, which will not swim after precipitation, will have a neutral or slightly acidic reaction and contain at least 2% humus. If the soil is heavy, add organic fertilizers. And in heavily waterlogged soils, the plant is cultivated with the help of ridges or ridges to avoid rhizoctoniosis and diseases that are bacterial in nature.

Not less than important part plant care is its watering. How often should you water potatoes to prevent waterlogging? After the potatoes are planted and until the seedlings appear, the plant is not watered, since during this period it forms a root system, which, with comfortable humidity, is able to branch well and penetrate deep into the soil. If the soil is waterlogged, the roots will be located at an insufficient depth, which will subsequently affect the ability of the plant to extract moisture and negatively affect development.

As soon as the first shoots appeared and bushes formed, the plant begins to consume more water However, you should not overdo it with watering. The main signal for irrigation is dry upper layer soil up to 6 cm deep. It is better to carry out this procedure in the evening hours to prevent moisture evaporation. As soon as the withering of the lower leaves becomes noticeable, it is immediately necessary to water the potatoes. In the very in large numbers The plant will need water during budding and flowering. It is important to provide him with a sufficient amount of moisture in order to prevent the germination of young tubers and subsequently dig up a vegetable the size of peas. The tops dry up in the month of August, during the period of drought and lack of rainfall. To reduce the temperature of the soil, it is necessary to irrigate the potatoes, thereby extending the growing season, which means increasing the yield.

Watering rules

A very important question: how to properly water potatoes? In the first watering, each hundred square meters of land must be provided with a water rate of about 300 liters, and in the next - about 500 liters. To moisten the soil, it is better to use not cold, but the so-called "summer" water, which is preheated in barrels.

Potatoes can be watered only in the morning or in the evening. Irrigation of light lands should be done much more often than heavy lands, while preventing the formation of a dense crust on the ground and loosening the ground from time to time. During irrigation, under no circumstances should a stream of water be directed directly at the potato bush, but it is better to use a hose sprayer. Do not water the plant before harvesting - this can be harmful. If desired, you can make drip irrigation of potatoes, which significantly reduces water consumption, can be combined with top dressing and long time maintains the required soil moisture. The use of this equipment has a very good effect on the crop, but the price of such installations is quite high.

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do you need to water the potatoes this year there was a drought and the potatoes are small

Kostenko Sergey

irrigated potatoes in almost all areas of Russia suitable for its cultivation, gives a tangible increase in yield. Potatoes should ideally be watered at least three times per season. the first watering is done about three weeks after germination, when the plants begin to branch. the second watering is carried out in the budding phase (when the buds have just begun to tie), the third watering is carried out after flowering, but no later than three weeks before harvesting. Irrigation rates depend on climate, rainfall and soil type. on average, on a dark gray forest medium loamy medium thick medium humus soil with a rainfall of about 400 mm per year, the irrigation rate is 350-500 m3/ha. watering before planting (for moisture charging) and before germination is not effective

Petr Tulupov

Watering during drought is necessary, but you can not wet the tops!

crab

The leaves feed the roots, and the roots feed the leaves - the law of plant life. Water the roots, well, the plant will not die, and the leaves suffer from the heat and do not allow the roots to develop. Water from watering in the heat immediately evaporates and does not have time to nourish the roots enough. Water, do not water, and prolonged heat will reduce the crop very early. And if potatoes are 6 acres and water is metered? Golden potato is obtained. It is better to under-pick than to water under such conditions.

Tatiana Pavlyushchik

If there is an opportunity, then it is better to water in the heat. for example, if some potatoes are planted in the country and you can water them, as you usually do with tomatoes. But if poured, the tubers crack. Too bad... In general, see for yourself according to the circumstances. If there is such an opportunity, and water without a meter - why not pour it!

victoria chaikovskaya

if you can ensure constant and timely watering.
otherwise, when watering is not regulated and scarce, you will get boiled. no better than no watering.

Maria Suspitsina

For the formation of potato tubers, a temperature of no higher than 20 degrees is required and, of course, moist soil is desirable, but rather loose, the potato forms an underground stem (tuber) and, like any stem, needs a lot of oxygen. All nightshades are watered rarely, but plentifully.

Marina Crow

Those who watered potatoes this summer got a good harvest.

Lina Sakharnova

It is better to find tricks when preparing seeds and when planting to avoid watering.

Tatiana Pavlova

I watered the potatoes all summer, collected half as much as last year, when it rained on time. I consider it my mistake that I did not do water-charging irrigation before planting, although they write that it is inefficient. Autumn last year was dry, there was also little snow and planted in dryish ground, hoping for rain ... no matter how much you water, you can only wet the top, at a depth it is dry. But without irrigation there would be no greenery.

Galina

It is possible to water during a drought, but I do not water, but mulch with grass cut from the lawn.

Olga

If you have a hectare of it, it will not be possible to water it. Why don't you water the garden? This summer in the suburbs there was such dry land. I even watered mountain ash and pine trees.

raisa lazebnaya

I water my potatoes twice a week. The main thing is to water it when it begins to bloom. at this time, tubers begin to form. and when it blooms, you can once so that the tubers do not become lethargic from the hot earth. Look how it smells on me. I think you understood me correctly.

Ludmila Gushchina

Definitely needed. We had +50 in the summer, with constant watering collected 5 sacks of potatoes (large - 3), although in previous years they collected only 1.5 -2 sacks from the same area.

Olga Trofimova

we water every year, this one was no exception, without watering the summer will not grow, our summer is always very hot, we plant it for food until autumn, we dig a constant crop of five buckets, enough from the end of June to September, cf. Volga

Anastasia Stepanova

at the dacha, about 5 acres are allotted for potatoes, at every opportunity I throw a hose into the potatoes, the result is 7-8 bags per hundred, we don’t collect a trifle ... though the varieties are good ... but of course it will not be possible to water in the field

Ivan

this year I watered the potatoes as needed with a sprinkler with water directly from the well, it grew good, did not crack, and is stored very well.

Each vegetable has its own watering

The heat and drought hit us unusually early this year. It's only May, and the weather is quite July. And just like in the height of summer, plants need water. Usually in the spring we have rains - not uncommon, and the nights are cold, with dew, so we have to think about watering much later.

Although, to be honest, I didn’t really think about it: everything is intuitive. And then I decided to figure it out how to properly water a garden: how much water each vegetable needs; how to determine if a plant is suffering from thirst; how often to water the beds, and so on. It turned out that I decided not in vain: I learned a lot of interesting things for myself. I will share - maybe it will be useful for you.

Watering for cabbage

Cabbage is perhaps the largest water drink of all vegetable crops. When she ties heads, the watering rate is at least 30 liters per 1 sq.m. If cabbage suffers from thirst, pests instantly attack it - cruciferous flea and cabbage fly. A pinkish-gray bloom may appear on the leaves of the plant. Cabbage, it turns out, needs to be watered in different ways, depending on the weather: if it is hot and dry, sprinkler is used, and in cool weather it is watered under the root. In this case, the soil should get wet to a depth of at least 40 cm.

Late varieties of cabbage are recommended to be watered daily, and early ones - every 2-3 days, preventing the soil from drying out. If, after a drought, you decide to water the plants abundantly, or if it suddenly rains, this will only lead to the fact that the heads of cabbage will crack.

water for tomatoes

The fact that the plant wants to drink is signaled by its leaves: during drought, they become smaller, take vertical position, are twisted. The formed ovaries may also fall off, and if the fruits are already pouring, they slowly grow and ripen, often top rot appears on them. Tomatoes need to be watered at the root - sprinkling is permissible only in very hot and dry weather. Excess moisture in the air can cause disease. For this culture recommend morning watering. When the first flowers appear, they are watered once a week, and then every 10-12 days, spending 30 liters of water per 1 sq.m.

How to water cucumbers

Cucumber loves water, so you need to water it often. Although he turned out to be a rather contradictory nature 🙂 Judge for yourself:

• before flowering cucumbers can be watered no more than once a week (and not even watered at all if it rains) - so that the plants develop a strong root system;
• when did the flowers appear, it is necessary to water every 3-4 days, or even daily (if it is hot);
• preferred for cucumbers sprinkler irrigation- their foliage actively evaporates moisture; but if you find spots on the leaves that indicate a plant disease, sprinkling should be excluded and watered only in grooves laid along a row of plants;
• should be watered in warm weather after noon, but until 17.00, and if the nights are cold, it is recommended morning watering.

The soil under the cucumbers after watering should be moist to a depth of at least 40 cm; under adult plants, for this you will have to pour about 20-30 liters of water per 1 sq.m.

Drizzle eggplant and peppers

Thirsty eggplants and peppers stop growing and do not bloom. To avoid such a misfortune, every 7-10 days they need to be watered, spending 15-30 liters of water per 1 sq.m(depending on weather conditions). Water the plants under the root or in the furrows laid along the row. In the heat, morning or evening irrigation can be used, and if the temperature drops below +15 degrees, watering should be completely excluded - otherwise there is a risk of plants being affected by gray rot.

How much water do carrots and beets need

Carrot seeds should be in moist soil until the first shoots appear. Often, gardeners use a film: it does not allow moisture to evaporate and water carrot patch can be much less. With the advent of seedlings, the film must be removed, and then every 10 days the plantings should be watered abundantly using a watering can with a fine strainer. Stop watering 3 weeks before harvest. Water consumption - 30 l per 1 sq.m. If there is not enough water, carrots can form a rough, ugly root crop, or even throw out the flower spike. The fact that the plant suffers from thirst, you can guess from the slightly twisted and darkened leaves.

But beets do not require such worries - you can water it much less often. For the whole season, beet crops are enough to be watered 4-5 times (of course, if there is no intense heat, and it rains periodically). Water consumption is the same as for carrots, and watering is recommended in the early morning or evening, in the grooves along the plants. But overdrying beets is also not worth it: from drought, it, like carrots, can go on to form flower stalks instead of forming a root crop. And if it forms, it will come out tough and tasteless. Beets indicate a lack of watering by the brown-purple color of the foliage, which, moreover, becomes noticeably smaller during drought.

When to water onions and garlic

The yellowing tips of the pen remind: it's time to water. But if the weather is rainy, these crops make do with natural moisture; in dry and hot weather, you will have to go out to the garden with a watering can or hose every 5-6 days.

When about a month remains before harvesting, watering should be stopped altogether: from excess moisture, the bulbs ripen worse, and then they are poorly stored in winter. Plants need the most water when the bulbs are poured - the norm at this time is 30-35 liters per 1 sq.m. In the spring, while the root system is being formed and foliage is growing, use no more than 30 liters per 1 sq.m.

How to water zucchini and pumpkin

These crops do not need water too often, but in large quantities:

• zucchini- once a month, 20 liters per plant;
• pumpkin- before hilling 1 time in the amount of 7-8 liters per plant; then they do not water for about a month, after which every 10 days they pour 10 liters under each bush, stopping watering completely a month before harvesting.

Watering should only be under the root; pour water very carefully so as not to expose the root system. Choose for " water procedures» Morning or evening hours: the risk of burns is too high during the day.

Do potatoes need to be watered?

To be honest, I never watered potatoes, until this spring. I read, of course, that he also needs watering, but he grew well without it. And then I was afraid that in dry hot earth the tubers will just bake instead of germinating. In general, it is recommended to water potatoes once a week, according to 20-30 liters of water per 1 sq.m landings. If, after watering, the soil is slightly dried, loosened and mulched with humus or peat, then you can do it once a month. Do you often have to water the garden or does the weather take over part of the work? And how do you water - by the rules or by intuition? 🙂

Tatyana

Yesterday I decided to water the garden, I had to water a lot, it had not rained for 2 weeks, and the heat is simply unrealistic - in the shade every day under 30. But, I confess, honestly, I watered more by intuition. In general, I do everything by intuition, I even cook, I know I need to take a recipe and everything according to it, but I almost always put the ingredients “by eye”. I know about how to water some of the vegetables listed in the article, but I didn’t even know about the consumption of such an amount of water by zucchini, pumpkin, garlic and onions. Potatoes have become a discovery for me in general, or rather, not the potatoes themselves, but the need to water them. It's not in vain that they say - "live a century, learn a century"! Although with watering I never add up. For example, yesterday the garden was watered (the sky was clear, it was clear), and at night such a downpour was going on.

Marina, Nekrasovskoe

Oh, Tanya, how similar we are to you. I, too, are all “by eye” and by intuition, although I sometimes know the rules and recipes. This year we have a terrible dry land - there has been no rain for two weeks now, and the heat is on. There’s no way without watering, and since I still have to wander around the flower beds with a watering can, I want to somehow optimize this work)) I’ve known for a long time that potatoes need to be watered, but I’ve never had to do this - on loams it has enough soil moisture enough. True, I hilled it more often than recommended - loosening and hilling, in fact, replaced watering. And here I realized that without water I can’t see the harvest at all - my potatoes will dry up in the sand ... By the way, about the downpour after watering - you gave me an idea. I have such a sign: if you wash the car, it will rain)) I should probably get busy ... I want a lot of rain...

Tatyana

Yes, I have the same sign connected with the car, it is worth washing and it starts to rain. By the way, we seem to have interrogated the rains, it didn’t last long, but now the second day is pouring like a bucket and the thunderstorms are sooo scary. It got very cold outside, it was +8 today in the morning, now I’m thinking how peppers and tomatoes will react to such vagaries of the weather.

Marina, Nekrasovskoe

And here the rain is not so much pouring as it is frightening. Yesterday, the whole day it was again frowning, and even watering, it seems - but today everything is dry in the morning. At the same time, thunderstorms are walking in the district, and showers are pouring somewhere nearby, and we have a “great dry land” ... And it also got cold for several days, but I decided not to hide anything - let them adapt as they want. Well, we have such a climate, what can you do ... Let's check the work of breeders in practice. This year I have more and more tomatoes for the northern regions - Yamal, Alaska, the Far North and the like (the names of the varieties alone are worth it))) So let them show themselves! Moreover, our temperature did not fall below +10 - this is not the Far North for you

Olga V., Omsk

We do not water potatoes at all, there is enough rain. Most often we water cucumbers and zucchini, then cabbage, etc. Last edited on May 28, 2014, 10:41

Natasha, Russia

We also never water potatoes, even when the drought lasts a long time, zucchini is also rare ... but cabbage, greenfinch, often.

Victor Kreminsky

Well, watering potatoes is for fans)) And for the rest of the info - thanks! Short and to the point!

Chedrik Svetlana Alekseevna

Thanks for the informative article

Ludmila Razgulyaeva, Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg)

thank. I always watered everything from above very plentifully. but to save yourself from late blight, it’s probably better to water the tomatoes from below.

Irina, Bender

I always water potatoes once a week, however, if it rains, then the heavenly office is already watering. After the potatoes have faded, I stop watering. If we don't water at all, nothing will grow.

Sergey Yuferev

What water to water. Living water. You, my water, cherished, living, You represent your formation on Earth. You carry, from end to end, In each drop - the entire Universe Information. April 22, 2005 (Lelnik) (To the work of Viktor Dmitrievich Plykin "Trace on the Water") Water is the most common and most mysterious substance on the planet. It can be in different states, has many different properties, including memory. Water can behave both as an elixir of life and as its active enemy. During the “ice-water” transition, the density increases by about 10%, and we can assume that this value characterizes in a certain way the number of H2O molecules that have entered the cavities. During the transition to a solid state, a qualitative transformation of the crystalline structure of water takes place: almost 100% of its molecules are converted into a single type. In normal tap water up to 30 types of varieties of water molecules, divided by the structure of the crystal lattice. Above 0°C, water molecules lose their ability to form a permanent rigid lattice due to thermal disturbance (heating), but the tendency to order remains. Water is in a state that is conditionally characterized as "quasi-crystalline". At the temperature when ice turns into water, many more hydrogen bonds (structures) are preserved, and in water there are associates of molecules with an open tetrahedral structure (structured water). An increase in temperature causes the disintegration of these spatial associates, which leads to a further increase in the density of water - up to a temperature of +4°C. With a further increase in temperature, the regular expansion of water, caused by an increase in molecular motion, exceeds the effect of the “ice-water” structural rearrangement, and the density of water gradually decreases. That is, water retains the tetrahedral structure of clusters only at temperatures up to +4°C, and with an increase in water temperature, already above +7°C, such strained clusters become less and less. That is why, paradoxically, but from an energy point of view, the most healthy water for watering plants - naturally cooled, from natural sources: springs, springs, melt, rain (meaning directly rain, usually cold raindrops, see below for more about the nature of rain) until it has undergone further heating. As a result, its structure changes, and the structure of clusters, and hence the information recorded on them. Although there is a strong opinion among both advanced agronomists and amateur gardeners that it is better to water with warm water (for example, waste water from a storage barrel, tank ...). From an energy-informational point of view, everything looks the other way around. It is better to water with water of natural natural temperature: 0ºС to +7°С, immediately from sources, and not heated. Heated water carries distorted and introduced information ... which can do more harm than good. Opinion. When we're like water We have some doubt And everyone has their own opinion on it, - Then water: or poison, or honey, Or a reason, or inspiration. 1999 However, if, when heated from 0 ° C, the water is subjected to a "charging" energy impact electromagnetic fields of a certain frequency, you can get "charged" water with desired characteristics. If you know how to do it ... But under normal conditions, it is better to use naturally cooled water from natural sources, as the most beneficial for plants, when watering them. The introduction of such water, for example, in small portions with drip irrigation or watering through sprayers, will not significantly cool the soil even under heat-loving plants. By the way, the temperature of the water, which is supplied by the capillary system from the depths to the upper layers of the soil, is just + 4 ° C, unless, of course, the soil is not dug (in dug soil, the capillary system is destroyed, i.e. absent. At least a season is needed to restore the capillary system with turfing of the soil to restore the living structure of the soil). CORRECT WATERING not only increases the yield, but also significantly improves the quality of the plants. When watering, one should take into account the temperature and humidity of the air, illumination, soil condition, open or closed ground, development phase and specifics. specific types cultures. Watering should be rare and plentiful so that the water completely moistens the root layer. Poor and frequent watering is harmful. Frequent watering is needed only for small-rooted plants (onions, radishes), as the topsoil dries quickly. In no case should you leave a crust of earth near the plant, which is formed after the drying (evaporation) of water, especially in hot weather. It is very dense and no air can pass through it. It can be said with absolute certainty that it is better not to water the plant at all than to water it and leave a crust. The crust must be loosened (the mulched soil does not form a crust and does not dry out, except in the hottest weather, but is replenished with moisture due to the capillary system (the first natural natural watering) and at night or in the morning, due to temperature differences (“dew point” ), moreover, the higher the air temperature during the day, the greater the temperature difference at night in the upper mulched soil layer, the more water condenses (the second natural natural irrigation), after all, it is easy to moisten it with irrigation, preferably rare, but plentiful. Not recommended water the plants in the hot sun during the day, as the plant has adapted to tolerate heat, and we artificially force it to evaporate moisture.In addition, this can cause a burn of the plants (water drops on the fleecy leaves focus the sun's rays.) And yet, you need to mulch all the soil, but not everyone has the wit or hay-straw, so mulch at least the piece of land that you will irrigate. the moisture that got into the soil not so hot and not evaporated! Put the thermometer on the ground - there is + 45 ° and above! It's not a joke! And it turns out that water droplets, slowly falling on the soil, will quickly warm up, and we will water the plants with warm water. AT warm water not enough oxygen. As a result, the plant languishes, trugor falls! - the pressure that the vacuole exerts on the cell wall, due to which the shape of the tissues in plants is maintained. The loss of turgor leads, say, to wilting. BUT optimal temperature in summer for the soil is 12-15-20°C, depending on which crops. But sorry, not 45-50. If the soil is mulched, the temperature will be just 12-20 ° C. Stick your hand under the mulch and you'll understand. It's better to water cold water warm evening, after 17 hours, preferably after sunset, especially on heavy soils. In the evening, the soil air cools and contracts, and water is easily sucked into the soil pores. In addition, the wind weakens in the evening and evaporation decreases. And if the dry period is prolonged - at night or in the morning (after all, it is at this time of day that dew forms and it has a temperature of about + 4 ° C!). On cloudy days, you can water the plantings at any time of the day. During the day, in sunny weather, watering is simply useless and harmful, the sun evaporates water from the bare surface of the soil, forming a crust, and leaving the plants without the proper amount of water and air. But mulched soil can be moistened at any time of day with virtually no loss of moisture and no crust is formed on the soil. Many adhere to common literary recommendations to pour warm water in the evening. They say that cold water can cause illness. And watering in the evening provides the greatest absorption of water - the best absorption. But the payoff is high. First, the root and vegetative systems of plants have different temperature requirements. The root system, as a rule, develops more intensively below that in which the vegetative part feels comfortable. This is the habit of plants. In nature, plant roots are covered with heat-insulating mulch (dead and growing herbs, leaves), which keeps the temperature more even: during the day it is cooler in this zone, and at night it is warmer than in the air. This habit clearly appears in onions, tomatoes, potatoes. Tomatoes and potatoes generally cease to bear fruit if the soil temperature in the root zone has become above + 25 ° C. And now we realize that for many, watering occurs mainly during hot periods, and warm water is poured out in the evening on the soil heated during the day, and what plant needs such a bath? What plant is used to this? It happens that rain falls on hot soil, but it is cold, and before the rain, air pressure drops and the pores of the soil open. Second. If watering is carried out in the morning, then possible drops live on the foliage for a few hours, and if in the evening, then another ten hours are added to the life of the drops. Do I need to remind you that the humid microclimate of the foliage, which lasts up to half a day, is the best background for fungal diseases. Although it is not the absence of viruses, infections and fungal diseases that is the key to a good and healthy harvest, but the ability of the plant's immune system to resist different kind adversity. And soil processes without fungi will probably not work at all, and soil fungi need this moisture, especially since many of them live directly on the soil surface and work intensively during wet night and morning hours. It is ideal when a mulch lies between the plants on the soil, moistened at night and in the morning and ventilated during the day or in the evening. Such ridges even smell differently. From the textbook of chemistry for the 8th grade: It does not dissolve in warm water used for irrigation carbon dioxide, a solution devoid of carbonic acid enters the roots, and the plants experience carbon starvation. In cold water, on the contrary, carbon dioxide is intensively dissolved, it is enriched with carbonic acid and a complete carbon nutrition of plants is provided. The best way to water is to capture rainwater during the vegetative period of plants and snow retention in the autumn-winter period with the help of spring (any annual crops) green manure and vegetable garden residues. And even better, constantly mulched beds with dry mulch: leaves, straw, hay ... There should not be bare earth at all, even in the aisles between the beds. Water intensively evaporates from the bare plot of land and along the perimeter from under the grassed area. And mulch keeps water, carbon dioxide and other gases and minerals in a balanced form for plant nutrition, both by the root system and the oyster leaf apparatus! Thus, planting can also be started earlier, because there will be a balanced amount of water in the soil all the time. Watering will not be needed at all!

In previous articles, we talked about sprouting potatoes, growing seedlings and planting potatoes in the ground. Today we’ll talk about caring for potatoes after planting, namely: watering, loosening, hilling and top dressing.

Watering potatoes

The first time after planting, it is not recommended to water the potatoes, because at this time the root system is formed. With moderate humidity, the roots branch and penetrate deep into the soil, but if the soil is waterlogged, the roots will not be deep enough, which will subsequently negatively affect the development of the potato bush, since it will be more difficult for it to get moisture.

The first watering of potatoes after planting is best done with the emergence of seedlings. Potatoes should be watered sparingly. As bushes begin to form, the potato's need for water increases.

You should not hope for rain: as soon as you notice that the lower leaves begin to wilt slightly, be sure to water the potatoes. Potatoes experience the greatest need for moisture during the period of budding and flowering. If the amount of moisture at this time is insufficient for potatoes, this will have a bad effect on its yield - the potatoes will be very small. It is best to water the potatoes not cold, but slightly warm water, preheated to room temperature» in barrels or tubs. The best time to water potatoes is early morning or evening.

Soil loosening

Surface loosening of the soil, carried out to a depth of 2–3 cm, is a very useful procedure for potatoes, which increases the flow of oxygen to the tubers. In addition, in the process of loosening, you destroy small weeds.

The first loosening is carried out a week after planting potatoes. In the future, the soil is loosened as needed after watering and rains, thereby preventing the formation of a crust and contributing to the saturation of the soil with oxygen. Loosening should be carried out very carefully, trying not to damage the sprouts and not pull the tubers to the surface.

Potato hilling

Hilling has a very positive effect on the potato yield and can significantly increase it. Hilling accelerates the development of the bush, flowering and tuberization.

In addition, hilling protects potato tubers from phytophthora, preventing the penetration of infection from the affected tops to the tubers. During the season, potatoes must be hilled 2-3 times. The first hilling of potatoes is carried out when the tops reach a height of 13 - 15 cm.

The land used for hilling must be moist. How is hilling done? Very simple: the earth is raked in small portions to the tops with a hoe so that a mound forms around the bush.

The second hilling of potatoes is carried out 10-12 days after the first. Third, as needed.

Feeding potatoes in the garden

To obtain good harvest potatoes, in the process of growing it must be periodically fed. During the growing season root top dressing potatoes are carried out three times, the composition of fertilizers depends on the phase of development of the potato bush.

In addition, when seedlings appear, potatoes can be sprayed with a solution of macro- and microfertilizers. Root top dressing it is better to carry out on wet soil after watering or rain.

• First root dressing carried out during the growth of the tops in the event that the potato bushes develop poorly, have thin stems and pale leaves. Feeding composition: 1 tablespoon of urea per 10 liters of water, or half a liter of mushy mullein or bird droppings per bucket of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush.

• Second root dressing potatoes are carried out during the budding period to accelerate flowering. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon potassium sulfate + 3 tablespoons wood ash per 10 liters of water, or just 1 cup of wood ash per bucket of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush. The third basal top dressing carried out during the flowering of potatoes to accelerate the process of tuberization. Feeding composition: 2 tablespoons of superphosphate + 1 cup of mushy mullein or chicken manure for 10 liters of water. Dosage: half a liter of solution for each bush.

Root feeding of potatoes with fertilizer solutions is carried out in cases where we are talking about a relatively small number of bushes. If the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe potato plot exceeds 100 m2, that is, 1 weave, top dressing is carried out with dry fertilizers, scattering them under each bush:

• first top dressing (to accelerate the growth of tops) - 1/2 teaspoon of urea + 200 g of manure or vegetable humus per 1 bush; second top dressing (during the budding period) - 1 tablespoon of wood ash + 1/2 teaspoon of potassium sulfate or 1 teaspoon a spoonful of nitrophoska per 1 bush; the third top dressing (during flowering) - 1 teaspoon of powdered superphosphate per 1 bush.

An integral part of potato care is the fight against Colorado potato beetle and other pests, as well as various potato diseases, but we will talk about this in future articles.

11

Potatoes are, it would seem, the most unpretentious garden crop. But in fact, even potatoes require both careful treatment and proper watering - after all, such an indicator as soil moisture is very important for the yield of potatoes. Like, perhaps, no other plant, potatoes need moisture - and therefore proper watering potatoes significantly increases its yield, according to statistics, somewhere in six to eight times. Irrigation rates for potatoes Such a concept as the irrigation rate determines both the number of irrigations (how many times and for what period of time it is necessary to water the potatoes in the garden), and the water consumption for each irrigation. These factors depend, first of all, on the climate and weather conditions - it is quite natural that in an arid climate the number of irrigations will be four to five, in a very dry climate - five to seven, but in a moderate one, with an even amount of rain during the summer - three -four. The amount of water consumed for one irrigation of potatoes is calculated depending on the planting area and averages two hundred to four hundred liters per ten square meters of plantings. Of course, if the condition of the soil is unsatisfactory (for example, very dry, petrified earth due to dry and hot weather), then the amount of water for irrigation must be increased by several hundred liters. But at the same time, it is important not to exceed the watering rate - excess moisture will lead to the fact that the soil will be waterlogged and will be flooded. And this, in turn, will provoke the decay of young potato tubers or even prevent the formation of tubers. When is the right time to water potatoes? The need for moisture in potatoes depends not only on the characteristics of the climate, but also on the stage of ripening. The least amount of moisture is required during the period from planting potatoes in the soil until full shoots appear. At this stage, some lack of moisture in the soil from irrigation is even useful - it contributes to a more complete use of the moisture that is already contained in the potato tubers used for seedlings. The more moisture in the soil, the closer to the surface of the soil the roots will be located - and this is extremely risky, because in the future you can damage the roots during loosening and weed control. As soon as the first shoots appear, the situation changes - potatoes need moisture the most. It is at this time that it is very important to regularly water young potatoes, and be sure to adhere to the norm of watering. If a moisture deficit is formed during this period, then it has a detrimental effect on the crop: firstly, the number of ovaries decreases, and, secondly, the formation of young tubers slows down. Video: how to properly water potatoes

potato, care, watering June 10, 2014, 23:35 About the fact that potatoes, like everyone else horticultural crops, requires watering, I read it repeatedly, but I myself have never watered it.

I didn’t suffer from thirst for this vegetable (as far as it could be judged by its appearance and harvest), and it wasn’t too easy with water in our old dacha - you don’t run into a potato with a watering can. And I lived in the belief that watering potatoes was an agrotechnical "refinement", without which it is quite possible to do.

But last year's experience forced me to return to this issue ...

What Science Tells Us...

And she tells us: potatoes are extremely demanding on soil moisture, and their needs vary depending on the phase of development.

The most important period is from the moment the buds appear until the tops stop growing. It is at this time that the crop is laid, and if there is not enough moisture, then there will be few tubers.

It turns out that for the formation of potatoes for one part of dry matter (by weight), the plant needs to spend 400-600 parts of water! And it's in central regions- in the southern, hot and dry, the consumption is even higher. And one plant evaporates about 60-70 liters of water per season, can you imagine?!

So water it or not?

The answer to this question depends on a combination of many factors - climatic (air and soil temperature, precipitation, humidity), soil (composition and structure of the soil, its ability to retain moisture) and biological (primarily - characteristics of the variety).

A favorable combination of conditions allowed me to do without watering at all for many years. Loamy soil retains moisture well; Our climate is temperate, rains are not uncommon, and the heat does not happen often and usually does not linger for a long time.

Zoned varieties in such conditions may well do without watering - it is successfully replaced by loosening and hilling. By the way, loosening is often called "dry watering".

If the climate in your area is humid, it is better to replace watering the potatoes with loosening - the benefits will be much greater: moisture is retained in the soil, and the air supply to the roots improves, and the plant gets enough of everything it needs for development. But on sandy soils, and even in hot, dry weather, you can’t see the crop without watering.

In this last year I was convinced by my own sad experience. As usual, potatoes were planted in several stages - from the beginning of May until the beginning of June.

This method has never let me down - all the potatoes ripened in due time, and the harvest from early and late plantings did not differ. But not this time… June potatoes got into the soil, from which the spring moisture had already left.

There was little rain, and the weather was warm, and despite the fact that germinated tubers were planted, as always, shoots did not appear for more than a month! Then the tops began to grow, the bushes bloomed, but ... When it came time to dig potatoes, all that remained was to shed a tear: from the ridges late boarding there was practically no harvest, but I received good lesson: do not blindly rely on own experience if conditions change...

So it turns out that there is simply no universal answer to the question of whether potatoes should be watered, common to all. Some need it, others don’t need it, and still others shouldn’t do it at all - the solution to the problem must be sought based on local conditions.

And here's what else is important: soil moisture should be uniform. Like many other crops (for example, tomatoes or cabbage), potatoes are sensitive to sudden changes in humidity: if heavy rains replace a drought, we are very likely to get a crop of deformed, ugly tubers.

Therefore, if you notice that the shoots are drooping, the leaves are curling or withering, and the soil has dried out to a depth of 5-6 cm or more, you need to water it exactly.

How to water potatoes

Generally speaking, how many people - so many opinions in this matter)) And probably this is right: practice allows you to find those methods and norms that are right for you and your plants.

But since for the first time you still need to start from something, I will give general recommendations watering. The best watering time- evening hours.

It is clear that no one waters in the heat of the day, but the morning is not the most good option: moisture on the leaves may not dry out before the sun starts to bake, and burns appear. Minimum water consumption- 3 liters per bush.

The actual consumption will depend on the soil (sandy and sandy loams absorb more water than loams or peat soil), the degree of its drying, the plant variety and its age. Regarding how to water, there are different opinions: acceptable and watering under the root, and furrow irrigation.

In the dry season, irrigation of plantings is also effective (this is especially true early varieties potatoes). The next day after watering, it is recommended to loosen the ground to retain moisture in it.

That, in general, is all ... But it would be very interesting to know the opinions of our gardeners: do you water potatoes? If yes, how often, what techniques do you use? If not, why not?

We will try to answer these questions so that you can properly water the potatoes, which means more harvest of this second bread. First, let's answer the question of how often the potatoes should be watered and how much water is needed. It must be understood that at different stages of potato growth, a different amount of moisture in the soil is required.

The first increase in water consumption occurs 2 weeks after germination, as at this time there is active growth tops. The next increase in water consumption occurs in the phase of flowering, tuberization.

But if you overdo it with water during this period of time, then the tubers may suffocate and you will lose your crop. In dry, sunny weather, water every 4-5 days. If the days were not very hot, then watering is carried out every 8-10 days.

Also, one should not forget that in addition to watering, it is required to loosen the soil. Unsystematic watering is very bad for potatoes when you leave the garden without watering for a long time. As a result, tubers are formed crooked, ugly, affected by scab.

Therefore, if you can not regularly water the potatoes, then take care of the mulching of the beds. In general, you need to take care of mulching, even if you water regularly.

Because this will not only reduce the need for loosening, will not form a crust on the surface of the soil, but will also allow it to stay moist longer. And not like this: they watered it - the earth stands in water for 1 day, and then the earth is dry again for 5 days. The drip method is best for organizing good watering of potatoes.

This will reduce water consumption, and the earth will always be wet. On average, it is estimated that one bush loses 10-15 liters of moisture per day in hot weather. Therefore, it is recommended to water 15-20 liters of water at a time for 1 square meter at least every week. The plant can get the rest of the moisture by condensing moisture on the soil surface and by storing it in the ground with the help of mulching.

Foreword

Drip irrigation of potatoes is convenient system irrigation, which saves you time and effort to carry out this routine procedure. To organize a convenient and durable irrigation system on your site is quite simple with your own hands. We will share with you the answers to the main questions - how often, when and with what water to water potatoes in order to get a quality crop.

Potatoes require balanced watering, which directly depends on the stage of its development. Experts say that after planting and until the first shoots of tops appear, it is not necessary to water the culture. During this period, the root system actively develops in potatoes. Excessive moisture will cause surface germination of roots, which may further affect the supply of food. Waterlogging always leads to the formation of mold and rot.

Manual watering of potatoes

But with the advent of the first shoots and bushes, the need for moisture increases dramatically. However, there is no need to be zealous either. Water moderately, and as soon as you notice that the lower leaves of the bush have leaned towards the ground and have begun to wither, feel free to water the potato bed. Potatoes need intensive watering in the summer from the beginning of June to the end of July. It was then that the culture begins a period of budding and abundant growth. If the potatoes are poorly watered during this period, the tubers will shrink due to a lack of moisture and nutrients. As a result, you will get a small crop the size of a pea and with other reduced consumer qualities.

August is a changeable month. It can be both dry and very rainy. The amount of moisture should be adjusted independently, focusing on the condition of the tops. If it starts to dry out and wilt, water more often. As for the minimum watering rate per potato bush, it should be at least 3 liters. The final consumption will depend on the type of soil on which your crop grows and its variety. Remember, sandy and light soils absorb moisture much faster than heavy loamy and peaty soils. Remember to irrigate vigorously during the dry weeks of growth. This rule is especially true for early varieties of potatoes.

The most important rule of watering is a complete exception cold water. Use for irrigation only "summer" water, preheated in the afternoon in the sun in barrels or buckets. Unfavorable hours for saturating potatoes with moisture are the period from noon to six in the evening. At this moment, an active stream of ultraviolet radiation will contribute to the rapid evaporation of moisture from the heated surface of the earth, it does not have time to penetrate deep into the root system. Early morning is also not the best the best time for watering. Moisture may remain on the leaves. In the interaction of moisture and ultraviolet radiation on sheet plates soon there will be sunburn.

Irrigation of potatoes by sprinkling

Therefore, the most the best option there will be watering after seven in the evening. At this point, the sun is almost hidden behind the horizon, and the soil is gradually cooling down. So you will ensure deep penetration of moisture to the root system, contributing to saturation with nutrients. Two weeks before harvesting, watering is completely stopped. Light sandy soils need to be watered more frequently than heavy clay soils. After watering and heavy rains, do not let moisture form a dense crust on the surface of the soil, blocking the flow of air to the roots. Carry out loosening, which many call "dry watering".

June or July are the hottest and most important months for the productive growth of potatoes. Humidification during this period is carried out twice - at the beginning and middle of the month.

But in August it is enough to water once in the middle of the month. The recommended number of waterings for the entire season should be at least 5 or a total of 10-16 liters of water per bush. We add about 4 liters of water per planting. Moreover, in a drought, moisture is different from the usual. Water is introduced into the soil in several passes, one liter each. At each stage, it is necessary to wait until the moisture is slightly absorbed into the soil, and then pour the next batch. For convenience and even distribution of liquid, use measuring scoops or a glass jar.

Irrigation of varietal potatoes can be carried out from different irrigation systems. When watering with a hose, avoid hitting large streams of water on potato bushes. This can lead to the formation of late blight and the development of fungal infections. Suitable for potatoes and drip irrigation. Thanks to the local water supply, you will significantly reduce costs, and using inexpensive and reliable materials, you can build the system yourself.

There are several varieties of drip irrigation systems for potatoes, which differ in row spacing (0.7, 0.9 and 1.4 m). Rollers are installed on the bed formers, which are laid to a depth of up to 3 cm. Every 20-30 cm of such an installation, under a pressure of 0.5-0.7 atmospheres, water circles are created, which are pushed out of the holes under pressure. Thus, the bed is slowly and gradually moistened along the entire length. After harvesting, the drip irrigation system is disposed of. According to gardeners, thanks to such moisture, the potato yield increases by about 60-80 tons per hectare of the garden.

Watering potatoes with drip irrigation

To design a drip irrigation system with a row spacing of 1.4 m, we connect two rows of 0.7 m each with a single tape. To obtain early varieties, in parallel with the use of drip irrigation, we use agrofiber or lay a mulch layer. First of all, we make beds of 140 cm each, cover them with a dark film and lay a drip tape under it. We plant potatoes in separate holes manually or using a special planting machine. Such a system has several main advantages: it provides good soil heating, prevents the formation of weeds, and also provides high-quality watering to each bush.

It has many advantages over other systems, which makes it the most popular among gardeners. First of all, such irrigation provides uniform moisture, gradually saturating the crop with moisture. The root system of the plant develops much better. Drip irrigation also provides for the introduction liquid dressings, which come directly to the roots with moisture, so they are absorbed quickly and intensively. Such irrigation has nothing to do with sprinkling, water flows directly under the bush, which means that the likelihood of fungal diseases is reduced. In addition, when the leaves are treated with chemicals, they are not washed off for a long time and have a longer effect.

Local humidification system

The system does not leave behind wet row spacing, which is very convenient for weeding and loosening. A dense crust does not form on the surface of the soil. The drip irrigation system also has no restrictions on its use on the ground. It can be installed both on steep slopes and on flat surfaces. Evaporation of moisture from the surface is minimal. For comparison, at drip irrigation it is no more than 5%, while during sprinkling this figure sometimes exceeds 50% of the initial volume of water. Compared to sprinkling, such an irrigation system provides better warming of the soil, which means it gives a quality crop much faster. The amount and frequency of water application is also reduced, which indicates the efficiency of the method.

We build a reliable drip system from PVC pipes

Drip irrigation system made of PVC pipes will last for many years. It can be installed as small garden as well as over large areas. Plus, it's easy enough to assemble so you can make your own. First of all, we carry out measuring work, measuring the length and width of the section under. This will help you quickly determine the number of PVC pipes to install. For the main line, it is recommended to select pipes with a diameter of 19-20 mm, and for a branched system - 12.5-13 mm. As auxiliary materials for the second system, you also need to purchase plugs and non-threaded tees.

The length of the main tubes will correspond to the width of the garden, and the branched ones will correspond to the length of the garden multiplied by the number of beds. For ease of installation, the second type of tubes can be cut into an equal number of parts corresponding to the number of beds and equal to their length. The second step is to make holes for watering. Lay the pipes for the branched system on a hard surface and make a non-through hole with a drill every 50 cm. Next, we mount the drip network. We lay the main tubes across the beds, and in the aisle we lay drip tubes at a right angle. At the intersection of the main pipe with the auxiliary ones, we cut it. We insert a tee into both ends of the sawn tube and connect to it an auxiliary tube located along each potato bed.

We make the fastening tight and airtight, preventing water from leaking, using mastic for this. The opposite end of each tube with a diameter of 12.5-13 mm is closed with plugs. So we do with all the other tubes in the garden. We put a plug on one end of the main line, and connect the second to the water supply. When the mastic in the joints hardens well, turn on the water and check the system in action. Such drip irrigation is very convenient to use, it will serve you for many years, because PVC pipes do not rot or rust, unlike metal counterparts, and they also do not form kinks and do not crack under the aggressive influence of sunlight, like rubber. The system is quite simply dismantled, and if desired, it can be sent for storage to the barn, using as needed.