Natasha Potato: Description and characteristics of the variety, photo

The description, photos, and reviews of the Natasha potato variety are of interest to many Russian gardeners, as this information allows them to expect early potatoes with minimal starch content. Proper care ensures a high-quality harvest in the shortest possible time. The description of the Natasha potato variety, photos, and reviews indicate that potatoes with minimal starch content may be increasingly popular in Russia. The most important thing is to follow basic care guidelines and consider the specifics of potato cultivation.

Description and characteristics of the Natasha potato

Natasha is a variety distinguished by oval tubers with smooth yellow skin and shallow eyes. The potatoes have yellow flesh and a starch content of 12-13%. It's worth noting that these potatoes grow on medium-sized, semi-erect plants.

Productivity

Natasha is an early table potato variety developed by German breeders. It boasts impeccable flavor and is virtually untouched.

It takes 65 to 80 days to mature. Each plant can produce 9 to 16 potato tubers, each weighing approximately 100 to 130 grams. The overall yield is 132 to 191 centners per hectare.

Advantages and disadvantages of Natasha potatoes

The Natasha potato variety has not yet become popular, but it has many positive aspects:

• the possibility of obtaining an early and rich harvest;
• pleasant taste characteristics due to high-quality potato pulp;
• the optimal marketability indicator, which is 76 – 93 percent;
• increased resistance to most potato diseases and parasites;
• the possibility of long-term storage of most potatoes (storability reaches 93 percent).

Many gardeners can confirm that Natasha is an ideal potato variety that can be grown for home use and private sale.

Growing rules

Seed preparation

The first essential step is planting potatoes for seed. It's best to store seed potatoes separately from your main supply, removing them from the cellar about a month before planting. The seeds need to warm up, and the buds need to sprout. Warming the seed potatoes will ensure a successful harvest. The germination stage is carried out in a warm, well-lit room.

Seed potatoes must be in perfect condition, as even the slightest defects prevent them from being used in the garden.

Soil preparation

It's best to begin soil preparation in the fall, after the previous harvest. Weeds must be removed, fertilizer applied, and the soil must be dug and leveled. To improve yields, add humus or compost.

Landing rules

Planting can be done by hand or using modern specialized equipment. The distance between potatoes should be approximately 35 centimeters, and between rows, 70 centimeters. This spacing is essential for the Natasha variety, as the soil needs to be well-lit and warmed, and the plants need space to grow.

When planting, add 5 tablespoons of stove ash and 700 grams of high-quality manure to each hole. Then you can plant the tubers, making sure not to plant them too deeply.

After planting potatoes, the garden is leveled with a rake to remove the surface crust and destroy any weeds. Leveling the soil will improve the oxygen supply to the soil.

Under favorable conditions, potato seedlings appear in about 1.5 weeks.

Care instructions

The Natasha potato is resilient to adverse environmental conditions. However, proper cultivation practices are essential.

1. Clearing the beds of weeds and soil crust becomes essential. Otherwise, the plant roots will not be able to receive the oxygen they need to thrive.
2. Hilling the soil is done after the seedlings emerge. This procedure also eliminates weeds and retains soil moisture.
3. Fertilizers are essential. Two to three applications are recommended, although a single application of foliar fertilizers is permitted.
4. Irrigation promotes successful potato tuber development, but avoid overwatering. Otherwise, the crop will rot.
5. Pest and disease prevention is essential. The use of fungicides and insecticides is permitted, ensuring the elimination of any risks associated with diseases and pests. Comprehensive potato care is essential.

Collection and storage

Proper harvesting is essential. Delaying harvesting is undesirable. Potatoes harvested by hand or with specialized equipment are dried in the sun to ensure they are stable for further storage. It is also advisable to keep the harvested potatoes in a dry, darkened room before storing.

The ideal storage option is underground, using nylon bags or wooden crates. Potatoes are stacked in piles. Proper storage ensures the harvest retains its original quality for a long time.

Reviews

Tamara:

"Natasha is a delicious potato, perfect for boiling and frying. I plant it in my garden every year, and this variety always impresses with its excellent characteristics. A bountiful and high-quality harvest can be achieved without much effort."

Oleg:

"I only own a small plot of land. I tried growing the Natasha variety. It requires minimal effort and time to grow potatoes, but the result is a bountiful and delicious harvest."

Lydia:

"Natasha is one of the best potato varieties, boasting high yields and disease resistance. Even a novice gardener can handle the task."