In order for potatoes to grow well and give a rich harvest, it is necessary to first calculate the timing of its planting in open ground. The health of root crops depends on the correctness of the calculations, because planting at the wrong time can lead to their late germination and development. What is the reason for this, and when exactly to plant the most popular vegetable crop, we will examine further.
The effect of the planting period on the crop
Although potatoes are unpretentious, not any period is suitable for planting its tubers, since there are such risks:
- Too early planting in unheated soil is fraught with freezing of tubers that will germinate belatedly. So, the plant will lag behind in development, which will affect its health and productivity.
- Late planting can also lead to the fact that root crops do not have time to germinate on time as a result of moisture deficiency. The fact is that the water that nourished the soil during the melting of snow had already evaporated by the time the potatoes were planted. In addition, with late planting, there is a high probability that tubers will fall under the first autumn frosts.
- With increased soil moisture, potatoes can die from fungal diseases. Planting material is also not protected from decay.
- Planting on days when the soil is overdried can help reduce yield.
Given all the risks, it becomes obvious why it is important to calculate favorable days for the source material to land. This will help both the Lunar calendar and folk signs.
When to plant according to the lunar calendar?
Plants and many living organisms depend on the phases of the moon. Potato is no exception. Even experienced gardeners take this moment into account, since by many years of observing the behavior of the culture it was established how each lunar phase affects the sowing:
- Waxing Crescent. They contribute to the active formation of plants planted during this period, so they become stocky and strong.
- Waning moon. She, on the contrary, “sucks” all the forces from the cuttings and shoots. Potatoes planted during this period may not rise at all. If the seed is of good quality, then it may rise, but you will not see the fruits.
- The phases of the new moon and the full moon. Unfavorable for planting potatoes, since the crops planted at this time do not give a good crop.
In addition to the phases of the moon, the passage of the celestial body through various signs of the zodiac also affects the germination and yield of crops. So, the most successful are the days of passing through:
- Cancer Constellation. Root crops planted during this period are well stored.
- Signs of Taurus and Aries. Planting material planted during this period quickly emerges, is not susceptible to diseases and pests.
Given these recommendations, each year you can determine the most suitable days according to the lunar calendar. In that year, these are the following periods:
- March 27, 28 and 29;
- April 9, 18, 22, 27, 29;
- May 4, 7, 9, 19, 24, 31;
- June 1, 6, 7, 15, 16;
- July 15, 18, 19.
You can work on the site in the summer months only if early-ripening potato varieties are planted in open ground.
What should be the climate?
The temperature of the topsoil (depth about 10 cm) should be at least + 8 ° C. When the soil warms up to such an indicator, it means that severe frosts have already passed, which can adversely affect germination.
In different regions, the soil warms up at different times, so often planting is carried out at different times. In addition, there is a fact of weather instability, which affects the "ripening" of the soil. So, this point also needs to be taken into account when determining landing periods.
As a rule, the time for planting seed falls on the period from the second decade of April to the third decade of May. However, it all depends on the variety and weather conditions, so the timing can vary from 2 weeks to a month.
To roughly determine when the final warming will come and real spring will come, you should follow the weather forecast for a few days in advance.
When to plant in different regions?
Since soil heating in different regions takes place differently, the planting period falls on different dates. When to plant potatoes in different climatic zones, we will find out further.
In outskirts of Moscow
For the Moscow region, the time for preparatory work begins already on the 20th of March. It is then that the tubers are germinated. At the same time, the air temperature should be + 20 ... + 24 ° C. After the emergence of seedlings, the seed is transferred to a cool room for hardening.
For the Moscow region, the most successful dates for planting potatoes in the open ground are May 8-17.
Many inexperienced gardeners begin to plant early varieties at the end of April, but since return frosts are characteristic of the Moscow Region, it is recommended that you adhere to the indicated planting dates.
Read more about growing potatoes in the Moscow region - read here.
In the Primorsky Territory
The optimal start dates for spring field work in this region are:
- the end of the first decade of April - in the western and coastal areas;
- the second half of April is in the central regions.
So, in the fields of the western regions, potato planting will be possible already in the third decade of April, and in the central regions and on the coast only in early May.
On South
The south of Russia is a wonderful region for growing potatoes, since there are all conditions for obtaining a rich harvest. So, in southern cities, potatoes can be planted already in the first half of spring: from late March to mid April. By this time, you no longer need to be afraid of the return of frost, and the temperature of the soil allows you to engage in planting seed.
In the Volgograd region, the landing is carried out in late April and early May, and in the Krasnodar Territory from the very beginning of May.
In the Urals
Late soil frosts in this region are a frequent occurrence, sometimes they are observed even in June. In this regard, it makes no sense to plant potatoes early, since it will begin to emerge just in the period of possible frosts.
Guided by optimal temperatures and weather conditions, root crops are planted in the Urals after June 10-12. It was at this time that the optimum ratio of temperature and soil moisture was observed.
In Siberia
Potato planting time in the northern regions comes much later than in the central zone of Russia. So, in the western regions of Siberia, you can start landing already in early May, and in the eastern - only after two weeks, that is, in mid-May.
In what month to plant seedlings?
In some regions, planting early potatoes in open ground does not bear fruit, so gardeners resort to a method of planting root crops with seedlings.
Already at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, they begin to plant potatoes for seedlings. To do this, be sure to pick. In the southern republics, beds are broken in open ground after cold weather, and in the north potatoes are planted in April, but in greenhouses. In the Moscow Region, greenhouse work has been going on since February, which allows you to get an early potato crop.
Do not plant the root seedlings in open ground in the summer (for example, in mid-June), as it simply does not have time to bear fruit.
It is worth noting that potatoes can grow seedlings and immediately in the open ground. In this case, the seeds must be sown in pre-prepared beds. Their cultivation can begin in early April. Then a transplant into the ground should be carried out in June. An exception are only the southern regions, where the landing can be carried out in early May.
Omens
Long-term experience of gardeners shows that not only the Lunar calendar and climatic indicators allow you to set the optimal timing for planting potatoes. Another significant method are folk signs, namely:
- If the first leaves appeared on the birch, it means that the temperature allows you to start the process of planting the root crop. Other factors also testify to this: flowers on the bird cherry blossomed, dandelions open, elderberry blossomed.
- The water in the reservoirs warmed up to a comfortable temperature, and the birds sing and play mating - it's time to start planting potatoes.
- One month (30 days) after the flowering of coltsfoot, early potatoes can be planted.
- It is not recommended to plant potatoes on Saturday or Wednesday and Palm week, as the crop will not be stored for long.
According to popular beliefs, if the earth crumbles under a shovel, but does not stick together, it means the harvest will be rich!
So, the timing of planting seed is of great importance, because only their observance will allow to achieve maximum yield and improve the quality of the resulting fruit. Experienced gardeners advise how to adhere to the recommendations of the lunar calendar, and take into account the features of the climate zone. Accurately verify the correctness of the selected planting days will help folk signs.