Planting potatoes in a greenhouse: in winter, in January, photo

Potatoes can be grown in a greenhouse provided that the temperature is maintained at a stable temperature in the range of 18-23 degrees, as well as backlit. This method is quite laborious, but it allows you to harvest all year round. It also has its own characteristics that should be considered when planning a landing.

Is it possible to grow potatoes in a greenhouse

Growing potatoes in a greenhouse is possible if the right conditions are provided:

• air temperature not lower than +15;
• the temperature of the surface layer of the soil is not lower than +5;
• regular hydration;
• stable illumination (daylight hours at least 14 hours).

Landing is planned for August and March. This allows you to harvest in two waves – by the New Year and early summer. At the same time, the yield of potatoes in a greenhouse is usually higher than in open ground. Due to the observance of the temperature regime, the level of humidity, regular watering and fertilizing from 1 m² You can remove up to 50 kg of tubers.

Features of growing potatoes in a greenhouse

Growing potatoes in a greenhouse allows you to harvest almost all year round. On the other hand, this is a labor-intensive method that can only be applied if there is a well-heated room.

Advantages

Winter cultivation of potatoes has several advantages:

• harvesting even in winter, in early spring and early summer;
• ease of care, planting and collection treatments;
• higher yield compared to traditional open field cultivation;
• the possibility of growing in several tiers using several wooden pallets.

Disadvantages

There are also disadvantages, and they are quite tangible:

• the greenhouse must maintain a constant positive temperature;
• additional illumination is required;
• it is necessary to carry out heating;
• potatoes in a greenhouse require regular watering and fertilizing;
• not all varieties can be cultivated.

In greenhouse conditions, the crop can be grown all year round.

What varieties are best to plant

For planting potatoes in a greenhouse, you should choose only early and very early varieties. Medium and even more late will not work – they have too long a growing season. Therefore, it is best to choose from such varieties:

• Priekulsky early;
• Kharkov early;
• Luck;
• Spark.

greenhouse requirements

To plant potatoes in the winter in a greenhouse, it is necessary to take into account certain requirements for the room. Since they plan to grow it in the cold season, it must be insulated, without gaps. Doors and vents should open freely. The minimum height is 2 m. Additional lighting can be installed.

Also, it is necessary to bring electrical wiring to the greenhouse in order to connect heating devices, phytolamps or other lamps. As for the material, choose different options:

1. The most reliable glass construction. This is a capital greenhouse that allows you to maintain the desired temperature and provides good access to light from all sides. But it costs more than the rest, besides, the construction is laborious.
2. Proper planting and care of potatoes can also be arranged in a polycarbonate greenhouse. This is also quite expensive, but a durable design, popular among summer residents and farmers. Installing it is quite simple, it provides complete tightness, therefore, in the presence of heating, it is also suitable for growing potatoes in winter.
3. In regions with relatively mild winters, plants can also be grown in film greenhouses and greenhouses. These are the cheapest designs, but they are not suitable for a harsh winter.

In what month are potatoes planted in a greenhouse

For growing potatoes in a greenhouse, you can choose two main planting dates:

1. To get a winter harvest in December, on New Year’s Eve, work begins at the end of August.
2. If it is necessary to collect tubers at the beginning of summer, they plan to plant potatoes in the greenhouse at the end of February – the beginning of March.

The first method is convenient because the soil is warm, it does not need to be preheated. However, the daylight hours are gradually decreasing, so in October you will need additional lighting with phytolamps.

Planting potatoes in a greenhouse in early spring is bad because the soil must first be thoroughly warmed up – the room must first be heated for 5-6 days. On the other hand, there will already be enough light. Additional lighting may be needed only in the first month of cultivation.

Planting starts at the end of August and at the beginning of March

How to grow potatoes in a greenhouse

The rules for growing potatoes in a greenhouse are not fundamentally different from agricultural technology in the open field, but there are several features associated with heating and lighting. Practical tips and instructions are described below.

Soil preparation

It is better to start preparing the soil in advance – 1,5-2 months before planting. It is cleaned, dug up and compost or humus is added – up to 10 kg per 1 m². If there is too much clay in the soil, it is heavy, it is recommended to close up sand or sawdust in the amount of 3-5 kg ​​for the same area. For disinfection, you can pour a weak solution of potassium permanganate. But after that, it is desirable to add “Risotorfin” or other bacterial fertilizer.

Seed preparation

To grow potatoes in a greenhouse, it is necessary to select larger tubers than for planting in open ground. Suitable potatoes weighing 80-100 g. They are selected and prepared 4-5 weeks before planting. The main steps are:

1. Dig up and rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Discard patients, spread out in one row to the light in the room.
3. Turn regularly to achieve uniform greening. Thanks to this, the toxic substance solanine will appear in the tissues, which will protect the potatoes in the greenhouse from such dangerous pests as bears and rodents.
4. Germination begins 40 days before planting. The tubers are placed in boxes in two layers and periodically sprayed with water.
5. After the appearance of sprouts, they are transferred to a lighted, but cool place (12-16 degrees) and regularly turned over.
6. When the sprouts reach 1 cm, wet sawdust or soil with peat (1: 1) is placed at the bottom of the boxes. Continue to moisten periodically from the sprayer.
7. When the sprouts appear en masse and are of sufficient length, you can start planting.

Landing scheme

Since there is much less space in the greenhouse than in the open area, planting is planned according to a truncated scheme. An interval of 25-30 cm should be left between bushes, and 60-65 cm between rows. All tubers are placed in rows parallel to each other.

Shrubs grow well at room temperature

There is another planting scheme, when the distance between the rows is 80 cm, and between the holes is also 25-30 cm. But they are already planted in a checkerboard pattern. This is a more thoughtful way, especially if drip irrigation is installed in the greenhouse. Tapes are laid along the center of the beds and with their help they irrigate two rows at once.

The scheme of planting potatoes in a greenhouse in a checkerboard pattern

As for the depth of the holes, it should be small – only 6-7 cm. To successfully grow potatoes in a greenhouse, you can lay compost or humus on the bottom, as well as some wood ash.

When planting, only whole tubers are used. Even if there are few of them, cut in half in order to increase the amount of planting material should not be. Otherwise, the fresh smell of the pulp will attract rodents and insects. Because of this, you can lose part of the crop.

Further Care

One of the most important rules for caring for potatoes in a greenhouse is the creation of a normal temperature regime. Minimum requirements: 15-17 degrees Celsius. If possible, it is better to maintain a room temperature of 18-20 degrees. When the plants begin to give buds and flowers, it is raised to 22-23, and after falling off again lowered to 18-20 ° C.

On the eve of budding, potatoes in the greenhouse are spudded or a layer of mulch is laid out from dry hay, straw, sawdust. Watering is given as needed – it is enough to do this once a week. The first time water is given after the mass emergence of seedlings. Then continue on a weekly basis, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.

To get a good harvest, potatoes must be fed. It is best to use mullein 1:10 or chicken manure 1:15. Watering is given under the root, spending 1 liter on each bush. You can also use complex mineral compositions.

Conclusion

Greenhouse potatoes can be grown in different regions. One of the most important conditions is to maintain a stable positive temperature in the room, as well as regularly illuminate the plantings. Agricultural technology is not simple, but the yield is stable and high.