Growing Potatoes Under Straw: A Simple and Effective Method
Growing potatoes under straw is a straightforward and effective technique that helps protect potatoes from pests and increase yield. Here are the key steps for growing potatoes under straw:
- Prepare the Bed: Dig a deep and wide pit, approximately 1.5 meters long and 1 meter wide. Remove all weeds and mix the soil with compost or manure.
- Planting: Place potato seeds along the bed at a distance of about 30 cm from each other. Then cover them with a layer of soil about 5 cm high.
- Covering with Straw: When the potato plants reach a height of about 15 cm, cover them with a layer of straw about 10 cm high. This helps protect the plants from pests and retain moisture.
- Maintaining Moisture: The straw will help retain moisture in the soil, beneficial for potato growth. However, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out, so regular watering is necessary.
- Care: When the plants reach a height of about 30 cm, you may need to stake the stems to prevent them from falling. It’s also important to remove flowers to enhance tuber growth.
- Harvesting: When the potato tubers reach the desired size, you can start harvesting. Carefully dig out the tubers without damaging them.
Before planting, make sure to prepare the straw and choose a good variety of potatoes. Do not expect a high-quality yield if you use poor, old, and degenerated seed material. With straw, it’s much simpler – any type can be used, but make sure to have plenty of it.
Tips from Experienced Gardeners
In addition to covering potatoes with straw, experienced gardeners also place boards on top to prevent the straw from being blown away by strong winds.
Harvesting is the most enjoyable part of growing potatoes under straw. Simply remove the straw layer and collect the potatoes from the ground. No tools are required, and it’s easily done by hand. Moreover, disposing of the straw is not necessary. It can be set aside and used again the next year.
Some gardeners, keen on experimenting, lay a layer of peat, about 10-15 cm thick, on the ground before planting potatoes. They then place seed potatoes in small depressions on this “bed” and cover them with straw. They claim this method allows potatoes to grow better.
The main downside of this method is pests, such as slugs, which must be eliminated. Sprinkle crushed eggshells around the potato tubers when planting to deter them.
Growing potatoes under straw is a simple and efficient way to increase yield and protect plants from pests. Following these steps, you can achieve a good harvest of quality potatoes. Remember to treat the plants periodically for diseases and pests, using organic or chemical means. Also, maintain proper levels of watering, nutrition, and fertilization. Good luck in your gardening endeavors!
