If you think that you can get two potato crops a year only in overseas countries, we hasten to dissuade you. In many regions of Russia, this method is quite successfully used.
The main thing is to carry out all stages on time and in science, as well as choose special varieties. About the secrets of planting young potatoes for the second time, its properties, benefits and harms, stages of preparation and selection of varieties, read our article.
Content
Description and characteristics of young potatoes
Young potatoes are considered to be unripe tubers that are dug when the tops are still green. Such potatoes are distinguished by a thin peel that can not be peeled, but scrubbed, juiciness, a lighter shade, a delicate taste. This potato can be cooked even in its peel and as a whole, since the tubers are smaller than those of ripened potatoes.
Advantages and disadvantages of young potatoes
The benefits of new potatoes are obvious. It has many antioxidants that rejuvenate the body's cells and help in the prevention of cancer. Such potatoes are much healthier than the old. It has three times more vitamins (B, C, E, K). It is also rich in vegetable protein, fats, fiber and trace elements. It contains potassium, which strengthens the heart and blood vessel walls and helps rid the body of excess fluid. It is best to eat boiled potatoes.
Whether young potatoes can harm is a moot point. Potatoes of any kind under the peel contain the substance corned beef, which is considered poisonous. But its quantity is insignificant. If you eat this dish, peeling off the peel, you should not be afraid of poisoning.
What is the benefit of juice of young potatoes?
Young potatoes, including its juice, are used for medicinal purposes. It is important that only raw potatoes are consumed, since all useful substances are stored in it.
To prepare the juice, rub two or three tubers on a fine grater and squeeze the juice. In order for donkey starch, wait a few minutes, after which the juice is ready for consumption. Do not wait more than ten minutes, otherwise the juice will lose its beneficial properties. The first time you should not drink more than half a glass. The dose is increased gradually, bringing it to a full glass. The course lasts 20 days.
For medicinal purposes, juice is used by those suffering from diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, and stomach ulcers.
How to sprout young potatoes for a second planting
In order to get a second potato crop, you need to carry out both plantings on time. It is better to germinate potatoes after processing it with a special solution. For this, you can use a solution of thiourea or epin. Sprouting can also be accelerated by slightly scratching the tubers, then the sprouts on them will appear faster.
We plant potatoes for the second harvest
Tubers should be planted for a second crop in loose, sufficiently moist soil, cleared of weeds.
It is best to plant young potatoes in early July. In this case, the second crop can be harvested by the end of September.
Tubers should be immersed in soil at 8-12 cm. The soil should be well watered in the morning or in the evening. After the soil dries, it needs to be loosened.
When to harvest and how to prepare it for storage?
After waiting for the tops to dry, you can start harvesting potatoes. Before storing the tubers for storage, they must be dried in a place closed from the sun.
Experts recommend using a second crop for planting next year, since such potatoes rarely suffer from viral diseases and stem nematodes.
What varieties are suitable for the second planting
As you know, not all varieties are suitable for the second harvest. We will talk about varieties that are best suited for these purposes.
- Alyona. This is an early variety that brings a stable crop, adapts well to different soil and climate, and is drought tolerant. Tubers ripen in 60-70 days. The resulting crop pleases with good taste, moderate digestibility, does not darken during heat treatment.
- Ariel. This variety belongs to table and early ripening. After germination, the potato ripens in 65-70 days. You can try to dig up the tubers after 45 days. Ariel is distinguished by productivity. Under good growing conditions, you can collect 220-490 centners per hectare. This variety is also well kept.
- Bellarose. The variety has proven itself in almost all regions of Russia. It is good in early maturity (harvest can be obtained 50-60 days after planting), drought tolerance, productivity (200-350 centners per hectare). It has a delicate taste. When cooking, it becomes friable.
- Impala. Bred by Dutch breeders. Belongs to an early ripe table grade. It is valued by farmers for their high productivity (more than 180 centners per hectare) and resistance to disease. Potato tastes good, moderately boils, does not change color when cooking.
- Zhukovsky early. The variety was bred in our country, and now it is grown everywhere. It belongs to the early varieties that yield a crop two months after planting. Unpretentious to soil, drought, cold temperatures, resistant to disease. However, the taste is considered average.
Reviews
What do gardeners themselves think about the possibility of planting young potatoes a second time?
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Leonid Ivanov, Primorye:
- Sure! But it must be borne in mind that in order for the young potatoes to sprout, after harvesting, you need to process it with thiourea. After such stimulation, the eyes on the potatoes appear in two weeks.
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Marina Labodaeva, Brest:
- Planting new potatoes is possible and necessary, if the climate allows. For several years I practiced harvesting two crops a year. I chose special early varieties, such as Ariel and Impala. Used seedling method. Already in mid-June she was harvesting her first crop.
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Victor Semenov, Krasnodar:
- In recent years, I regularly plant potatoes twice. The first time - in mid-April, and the second time - in late June. Buy super early grades. The potato of the first crop goes to food, and the second to seeds.
Are you still in doubt? Try, experiment and enjoy two potatoes a year!
Description and description of varieties in Belarus with a photo
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