The size of the tubers is set immediately after seedlings appear. Experienced gardener Veronika Polivkina spoke about 2 actions that need to be done at this stage: hilling and ash fertilizing.
Secrets of proper hilling
As soon as the sprouts have reached 10-15 cm in height, the plant begins to form a root system and stolons – underground shoots on which tubers will appear. In order for potatoes to grow large, juicy and numerous, it is important to loosen the soil and saturate it with oxygen – this way there will be even more stolons.
Hilling up each bush is carried out as follows:
- Carefully rake the soil towards the potatoes;
- make a small mound;
- loosen the rows.
The soil should become loose and without lumps. It is impossible to completely cover the leaves.
How to feed potatoes
It is important to feed the plants with potassium and phosphorus – the size of the tubers depends on them. But nitrogen is prohibited, otherwise the plant will throw all its energy into the tops.
The ideal fertilizer is made from wood ash. Prepare a nutrient solution in the ratio of 1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water and leave to infuse for 6 hours. As soon as you have dealt with the hilling, water the soil with plain water, and then with the ash solution.
The tubers will not only become dense and numerous, but the ash also strengthens their immunity.
