How and when to water potatoes

Potatoes are a crop sensitive to under-watering. To ensure a bountiful harvest of healthy tubers, learn how to water your potatoes properly throughout the growing season.

How to water potatoes after planting them in the ground

Immediately after planting in open ground, the crop does not require watering. The soil is still sufficiently moist from the spring snowmelt and there is no need for additional moisture. Until the tops reach 12 cm, the potatoes have sufficient moisture from the soil and air.

Potatoes begin to require increased water approximately five weeks after planting. At this time, the first watering is performed at a rate of 4 liters per plant. Subsequently, watering is reduced to once every ten days until flower buds appear.

Rules for watering before and after flowering

When the first flower stalks appear on the potato plant, it means tubers are already actively forming underground. From this point on, the watering rate per plant increases to 10–12 liters. To improve soil absorption, water is poured into pre-prepared furrows along the potato rows. A drip irrigation system can be installed in the field, which will save water and time. Drip tapes can also be used for liquid fertilizer application.

Watering rules during active tuber growth

Once the plant has finished flowering, the formed tubers begin to grow rapidly. It's important to continue watering and increase the amount to 18 liters per plant.

The signal to begin reducing watering is when the potato tops dry out. This means the tubers are beginning to ripen, and excess moisture can damage them. Watering should be stopped completely 10 to 14 days before harvesting.

Watering potatoes in hot and dry conditions

In conditions of high temperatures, strong winds, and lack of rain, the soil loses precious moisture especially rapidly. Therefore, potatoes require frequent watering, at least once every 5-6 days. It's advisable to spray the tops with warm water in the evening (i.e., sprinkler irrigation). This will refresh the plant, wash dust off the leaves, and provide the necessary humidity.

How much water does a potato plant need? You can check the exact watering needs of a potato plant by dipping your hand into the soil near the plant. If the soil is dry at a depth of 12–14 cm, it's time to water.

During dry seasons, it's a good idea to mulch your plants. This will reduce soil moisture loss through evaporation and help your plants weather the harsh weather more easily.

How to properly water early potato varieties

If a gardener decides to plant early potatoes, they should keep in mind that early potatoes grow quickly and require special care. They are particularly sensitive to lack of moisture, sharply reducing the number of tubers per plant. It's important not to miss the initial tuber formation phase, which is the beginning of flowering, and to provide the plants with the required moisture.

Creating comfortable conditions for potato growth

It's preferable to water in the evening. This will help prevent sunburn from wet potato leaves.

When maintaining watering rates, consider not only the potato growing season and weather conditions, but also the soil type. Sandy soils, for example, require more moisture than loamy soils.

Watering should not be cold. Use only soft water at a comfortable temperature. Avoid interruptions in watering. A sudden influx of water after a long drought can cause cracks in the tubers.

Signs and consequences of improper watering of potatoes

Lack of water affects the overall development of the plant and the level of yield:

• the bushes look depressed;
• noticeably fewer tubers are formed in the nest, and they are smaller;
• If watering is irregular, the tubers grow in an ugly shape, with cracks.

Excess moisture is no better than its lack.

In waterlogged soil, diseases (late blight, rot) develop, the roots experience a lack of oxygen, and the potato crop does not store well.

Reviews

Marina.

I always thought potatoes didn't need watering; they'd grow just fine. When I read recommendations about the need for watering, especially during flowering, I was very surprised. I decided to give it a try. The results were very pleasing: I harvested a third more potatoes than in previous years! Now I know for sure: potatoes need watering.

Vladislav.

I'm inclined to believe that you need to focus on the climate and soil conditions. For example, I live in the Astrakhan region. In our hot summers, without watering, you might not even see potatoes. And my relatives in Yekaterinburg have to raise their potato beds 30 cm to protect the tubers from excess moisture. Rain is frequent there, so watering is a big no-no. I'm against blindly following instructions!