Potato fertilizing: how to properly fertilize potatoes and what to use

Fertilizing potatoes before flowering or during budding has a positive effect on the taste and quantity of the harvest. Based on the specific problem, it is necessary to determine a fertilization strategy: a one-time application during the flowering period, repeated during the growing season, multiple applications immediately after planting, for tuber growth in the middle of the season, and just before digging for pest control.

The right approach to fertilizing

Fertilize potatoes according to guidelines to ensure their effectiveness. Any fertilizer has a short-term effect. The plant quickly absorbs nutrients, so multiple applications are necessary. This requires more fertilizer, which increases costs.

It's important to consider the plant's appearance. If the tops of the plants have yellowed or purple leaves, or if flowers appear and then immediately wither, these are signs of a vitamin deficiency. In this case, additional feeding will definitely be needed for a good harvest.

Fertilizing potatoes with a standard set of fertilizers isn't possible. This vegetable crop has specific requirements for optimal fruit development. However, fertilizer isn't the only factor that determines how quickly the crop grows:

1. Before planting, potato tubers need to be thoroughly warmed. Warm tubers will revive them after winter dormancy, and they will produce a harvest faster.
2. The soil also needs to be warm. No amount of care will save the harvest if the soil isn't warm enough to transfer heat to the tubers.
3. Loose soil. Planting in hard, unheated soil is a mistake. Young potato sprouts won't be able to break through the dense soil and will die. Loose, soft soil has plenty of oxygen, making it easier for the plant to grow.
4. Hilling. Stem breakage, caused by the weight of the tops, deprives the young potatoes of oxygen, causing the plant to wilt, and with it, the harvest.
5. Timely insect control. Colorado potato beetles attack potatoes during the budding period and are a serious problem. Timely control of these pests reduces the need for certain types of fertilizers. Herbicides and insecticides reduce the insects' absorption of vitamins and reduce the need for additional plant nutrition.

Fertilizing potatoes with mineral fertilizers must necessarily include the following elements:

• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• nitrogen;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• molybdenum;
• magnesium;
• pine forest.

It's optimal to combine all minerals and vitamins at once, but combining at least three of them will have a better effect on the vegetable than using just one component. By feeding potatoes, you're taking care of your health: having accumulated enough vitamins and minerals, the potato will release the best of them.

Types of fertilizers

There are two main types of fertilizers: foliar and root. It's best to use both types when feeding potatoes. Foliar feeding Use after the growing season has ended. This way, spraying the leaves and stems will not damage the plant's vegetative system.

Another classification by season:

1. Spring. Treat potatoes with foliar and root sprays immediately after planting in the spring before flowering.
2. Summer. Fertilize potatoes in July. When the leaves have already formed, the potatoes are flowering. Helps get rid of harmful insects.
3. Autumn. Fertilizing potato fields. Increases yields the following year.

By composition:

1. Manganese. A manganese-rich supplement improves the flavor of potatoes. It's best to apply it to potatoes before hilling during the growing season. This allows the manganese to penetrate deeper and fill the cavity inside the potato. Potatoes grow larger and have a richer flavor.
2. Phosphorus. If potatoes were planted late, in late June or later, use a special fertilizer that stimulates rapid growth. This ensures potatoes grow on time, resulting in a timely and delicious harvest.
3. Boron. Adding boron to potato fertilizer during flowering increases the starch content of the potato's interior. The resulting potato is dense, firm, and delicious.

Fertilizing potatoes in spring

Fertilize potatoes Fertilizing is essential immediately after planting. Spring feeding is one of the best investments in seedling care. Potatoes can be fertilized after planting in two ways: with potassium fertilizers and organic fertilizers.

Potassium fertilizers contain minerals. Potatoes are potassium-loving plants. For optimal development, apply potassium directly to the roots in the spring. To provide tubers with additional nutrition early in their development, apply potassium along with nitrogen. This ensures better absorption of nutrients.

When hilling and planting, use a chlorine-free fertilizer, otherwise it will affect the potato's flavor. Highly concentrated fertilizers do not harm young tubers.

Nitroammophoska is a universal fertilizer that provides potatoes with a whole range of nutrients. Although potatoes are easy to care for and don't require additional fertilizer, supplementation to ensure uninterrupted growth does not cause harm.

Phosphorus fertilizers should be applied in the spring, even during autumn plowing. This ensures long-term soil nutrition and improves the yield of potatoes and other garden crops. Fertilizing potatoes after emergence will guarantee a good harvest.

Fertilizing potatoes during and after planting

Fertilizing during planting is most effective. Nutrients added to the soil during planting reach the young plant more quickly and strengthen it. During planting, add fertilizer to each potato hole. Potato roots don't grow very deep into the soil, but remain on the surface. Add organic fertilizer to the hole. It's important to use manure that isn't too fresh, otherwise, if exposed to direct sunlight, it can begin to decompose and cause the young tubers to rot. Allow the manure to dry slightly before adding it to the hole.

Apply ammonium nitrate at a rate of 3 kg per hectare, while nitroammophoska should be applied at a rate of 5 kg per hectare. Apply 9 g of ammonium nitrate and 6 g of urea per square meter. The hole should be deep enough – up to 20 cm. This will prevent the tubers from emerging prematurely and turning green in the fall. Sprinkle the fertilizer at the very bottom of the hole, place the planting tuber on top, and then cover the entire area with soil.

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After planting, potatoes should be fertilized before flowering to ensure a constant supply of vitamins and minerals to the newborn potato tubers. Foliar feeding after planting is pointless. The nutrients won't be able to reach the root and tuber systems, so there's no need for them. The optimal method for fertilizing under the stake is:

1. In a small planting area, select three plants and place a wooden stake between them. If the stake is removed, a hole will form in its place.
2. Pour a mixture of fertilizers, cattle manure and poultry droppings into this hole.
3. Dilute half a kilogram of manure and 300 grams of chicken droppings in 10 liters of water.
4. Then pour the mixture into the depression.
5. When spread over the entire area, manure and droppings lose their high concentration, and therefore do not harm the delicate root system of young potatoes.

Fertilizing potatoes after germination will bear fruit.

Fertilizing flowering potatoes and applying fertilizers to the roots

The next step is to feed the potatoes during flowering. At this stage, it's necessary to add phosphorus. Dissolve 20 grams of potassium and 20 grams of double superphosphate in 10 liters of water. Pour the mixture into the fertilizer hole and let it spread. This feeding is best done a week after the first buds appear. Superphosphates prevent Colorado potato beetles from eating the plants.

Fertilizing the plant directly at the root is most effective:

• potatoes grow faster;
• the tubers become larger.

The best root fertilizer, according to folk experts, is regular nutritional yeast. It contains:

• zinc;
• iron;
• magnesium.

Dry and raw yeast are equally effective. They are dissolved in warm water. Sugar is added to activate the live and beneficial bacteria. After leaving the yeast for two to three hours, it is applied directly to the roots.

Root and foliar feeding

Foliar feeding includes foliar application. The effectiveness of foliar feeding is confirmed by the absence of Colorado potato beetles and other insects on the potatoes, the quality of the tops, and the firmness of the fruit. Phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium are diluted in water and applied to the foliage using a spray bottle. Each element contributes to the formation of tops and then tubers. Nitrogen is the dominant element. Without it, potatoes will not develop normally. Therefore, it can be diluted and applied to the foliage several times per season. It is safe and effective.

Foliar fertilizers also include biostimulants:

• antistress agents;
• microelements.

They act on the leaves, giving strength to the stem and roots.

Methods of applying fertilizer:

1. Hole. Create a separate hole for fertilizer a short distance from the three bushes. This will ensure even distribution and beneficial results.
2. Root application. Dilute the fertilizer in a watering can and pour it under each plant.
3. Foliar treatment. Treat the leaves, but the vegetative system delivers nutrients to the roots and tubers.

Warnings:

1. Excessive addition of organic compounds such as chicken and cow manure causes rotting and provokes insect attacks.
2. Excess nitrogen slows down bud formation.
3. Excessive watering when using fertilizers causes growth retardation and death.

Reviews

Research shows the importance of fertilizing in the spring during the planting and flowering stages: yields are several times higher. Gardeners' feedback confirms this.

Mira, 32 years old

All my life, I thought potatoes didn't need feeding—they just kept growing. But one day, I used nitrogen fertilizer, and that's the only way I've grown potatoes since. The harvest is timely, large, and delicious.

Valentina, 42 years old

A pit of fertilizer is the most effective potato fertilizer I've ever tried. It uses up the fertilizer more slowly, saving money. It takes very little time to prepare.

The decision on what specific fertilizer to use for potatoes depends on the specific problems that arise. Applying too many additional fertilizers can be dangerous, as it can trigger a number of problems. All potato fertilizers are safe for humans.