Double the yield? Fertilizing before planting potatoes pays off

Potato planting season is slowly approaching. Many of us are already looking forward to planting our seed potatoes and watching the individual plants grow. However, planting is the ideal time to fertilize the potatoes themselves. Various types of fertilizer can be used, often things that you simply have at home. In the following lines, we will focus on how to fertilize potatoes during planting.

A few important facts about planting potatoes

The first is information about temperature. Potatoes should only be planted when the outside temperature is around 6 to 8 °C. Only then will the potatoes grow properly. It is important to bear in mind that at temperatures of 1 to -2 °C, the stem and leaves will freeze and the plant will be destroyed. The ideal temperature for tuber growth is between 17 and 20 °C. At higher temperatures, tuber growth stops completely. As for the soil, lighter, permeable soils that are loose and rich in organic matter are ideal. And the pH of the environment? Potatoes thrive in a pH range of 5.4 to 6.5.

Potatoes in a field: Photo Pixabay

Wood ash as a classic fertilizer for potatoes

This is essentially the cheapest fertilizer, but it is more than sufficient. Ash should be applied in an amount of 100 to 150 g per 1 m2. The ideal method is to dig holes, then mix 30 g of ash with soil and put it in the planting hole. Ash acts as an excellent protective agent, ensuring the proper quality of tubers. However, ash should definitely not be used in conjunction with nitrogen-rich fertilizers. This could be very harmful to plants. It should also not be used in soil with a pH higher than 7.

Wood ash: Photo Pixabay

Nutritious mixture for potatoes with calcareous dolomite

Calcareous dolomite is commonly available in many gardening supply stores. It can be used to make a fairly solid fertilizer that will definitely help your potatoes.

To make it, you will need:

• 1 tablespoon of calcium dolomite,
• 3 tablespoons of fruit flakes,
• 2 liters of water.

The fertilizer production process is not difficult. Just put the calcareous dolomite and oat flakes in a blender. Then pour water over the mixture and let it steep for a whole day. Before planting, dilute a cup of fertilizer in 3 liters of water. Then pour some of this diluted fertilizer into the hole.

Sources of information: Author, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9517293/ ,https://www.csmonitor.com/1984/0117/011712.html

Sprouting potatoes: Preview photo Radek Štěpán