It is not a secret that potatoes are a very important agricultural crop, which was rightly called the second bread. But not many gardening amateurs can confidently say: whether it is necessary to water the potatoes after planting, and whether it should be done at all. Opinions on this subject are completely different.
Potting water directly depends on what kind of climate you have in the region and how often it rains.
In order for the potato planted by you to yield a decent harvest, it will require proper care. When you need to water the potatoes after planting, we'll figure it out now, because that's what you need to pay special attention to.
When and how much to water the potatoes?
At the very initial stage, after planting, before shoots appear, the root system develops, which, with moderate moisture, grows deep into the soil and branches. If in this period the soil is too moist, then the root system lies almost beneath the surface, which in the future will complicate the plant production of moisture. From this we conclude that immediately after planting, water the potatoes should not be.
The greatest need for watering occurs in June-July, during the period when budding and flowering takes place. If at that time the weather does not spoil you with rain, then it is necessary to resort to watering, otherwise there is a possibility that the crop will be the size of peas.
If you live in regions where rain is rare, then the next watering should be in August. To do this it is necessary to prolong the vegetation period as long as possible, moisturizing and lowering the temperature of the soil, thereby increasing the yield.
How correctly to water potatoes in the country?
If we talk about the rules of watering, then they are quite simple, you should follow some rules:
- water for irrigation should not be cold, as people say "summer temperature";
- water only in the morning or evening;
- after watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil, preventing crust formation;
- when spraying from a hose, put a sprayer and do not direct the jet directly to the potato bush;
- light soils should be irrigated more often, and heavier - less often, but it is worth remembering that everything is good only in moderation.
The usual loosening among agronomists-gardeners is called dry watering. Therefore, if you live in a region with a humid climate, watering can and even needs to be replaced by loosening. Moisture is retained in the ground, air flows more easily to the roots, which contributes to the ideal development of the plant.