The essence of the Dutch methodology for growing potatoes is not something new. However, emphasis is placed on the competent execution of long-forgotten rules and conditions. The meaning is the most responsible adherence to deadlines and the completion of certain cultivation procedures. Domestic gardeners have not even heard of many of them.
Key Features
The Dutch technology for growing potatoes is distinguished by the fact that when using it, emphasis should be placed on soil aeration. Its good loosening and planting of potatoes with the comb method will significantly increase the amount of yield. Moreover, the Dutch make a very wide distance between the rows (from 70 cm).
Yes, because of this it will be possible to plant fewer plants, but if with this method of growing from one bush you can get 2 kg of tubers of excellent quality, is that a minus?
In order to get the same luxurious harvest as the Dutch, it is important to approach the process of growing potatoes with the greatest possible responsibility:
- for planting, potato plants of specific varieties are used;
- planting material should be of perfect quality - the second reproduction (and there are no exceptions to this rule);
- potatoes can be planted in one place no more than 1 time in 3 years;
- the soil is constantly fertilized, and this is done according to a special technique;
- planting potatoes must be treated with various chemicals, the purpose of which is the destruction of infectious diseases and various pests;
- tillage (in spring or autumn) is carried out in a fairly strict timeframe, always in accordance with a clear set of rules and requirements.
The main rules of Dutch technology
So that there are a lot of potato tubers, and their quality is impeccable, it is important to strictly observe the basic requirements and conditions. The basis of the technology is the rigorous execution of all steps, the use of the highest quality products and long, painstaking work.
All this is of such great importance that if there is even the slightest doubt about any aspect of cultivation, it is better to refuse to implement the technology. This will not bring the expected results, and the expenditure of effort, time and money will be extremely serious.
What varieties are allowed to use?
To obtain Dutch-level potato yields, only the best potato varieties with a high yield and tuber quality are used. Those with even standard indicators speak of 40 tons of crops per hectare, which in itself is a very good result. And with the right technology, this volume can be doubled and even more so.
Of the most common varieties that can be used, the following are especially notable:
- Impala
- Red Scarlett
- "Mona Lisa"
- Romano
- Sante
Grade "Impala"
Grade "Red Scarlett"
Potato variety Mona Lisa
Potato Variety "Romano"
Variety "Sante"
However, these are far from the only potato varieties that can be grown using Dutch technology. With a thorough study of the characteristics, the use of other varieties is allowed, but you must always remember that the indicators must be impeccable.
Planting material
Without a doubt, it must be:
- extremely healthy, that is, do not be a carrier of scab, late blight and other diseases;
- critical is the need to change the variety of potatoes grown every 4-5 years;
- not have damage from exposure to various pests;
- planting tubers should be no more than 5 cm (and at least 3 cm) in diameter;
- their germination should be higher than 95% (only such a quality of planting material is suitable, deviations are unacceptable).
Conditions and landing pattern
Of great importance is the special scheme for the placement of tubers, and especially - protection against a variety of pests and diseases. We can safely say that this item is critical for obtaining a good and high-quality crop.
The use of fertilizers is also carried out in strict accordance with the selected potato variety and its individual needs. Moreover, the technology clearly regulates the timing and frequency of hilling, as well as the height of the formation of ridges.
Timely harvest
The process contains a key nuance: if the harvest is carried out in order to obtain seed, then this is done almost a month earlier (regarding harvesting for food purposes).
This collection rule is extremely important, because thanks to it you can count on very good germination results in future plantings.
This is just a superficial description of Dutch technology. Next, we will consider the main process of growing potatoes in detail.
Soil requirements
It is known that loose soil is best suited for growing potatoes. It is on this that the emphasis is made when using the Dutch growing technology:
- even before the tubers are planted in the ground, it undergoes thorough processing (plowing and milling the soil as responsibly as possible);
- the width between the beds should be from 70 cm;
- you can grow potatoes within one plot of land no more than 1 time in 3 years;
- the soil should receive rest: during the time when the potatoes will not be grown, they only mow the weeds and use various means to combat them;
- potatoes are planted in those places where rye, oats and legumes previously grew; it is recommended to sow a plot of oats in the autumn, and dig it in the spring and prepare for potato cultivation (it is important not to forget the 3-year rule);
- the Dutch mainly use a large number of mineral fertilizers / herbicides, but in a small garden area, you can do with the use of only organic fertilizers.
The plot is fertilized in the fall / spring right before planting. The soil must be thoroughly dug up or shallow (22-27 cm) plowed using a reversible plow. After that, the earth is fertilized with humus or compost. It is allowed (and for some varieties recommended) the use of superphosphate, potassium chloride and other fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.
These rules apply only to autumn cultivation and flat areas. If potatoes are planned to be planted in areas located on the slopes, then in autumn they cannot be dug up and fertilized: spring waters will wash away all useful substances and the soil will be unsuitable for growing potatoes.
Humus plays a huge role for a high potato crop. Its presence is extremely important, and the amount should be at least 2%.
Planting Material Requirements
When growing potatoes by the Dutch method, great importance must be given to planting material. The final crop and its quality will depend on how responsibly this issue is addressed.
If the tubers are affected by diseases or have a poor germination rate, then regardless of the work done, the crop will be poor. Therefore, it is important not only to engage in soil, but also to use first-class planting material.
The most important criteria for seed planting material are:
- tubers, the diameter of which is not less than 3 cm and not more than 5 cm (an error of even 0.7 cm is unacceptable);
- germination of the material - more than 95%;
- varietal purity, due to which the probability of the manifestation of the qualities of other varieties of potatoes is completely eliminated;
- the use of only the second reproduction of potatoes.
Planting material is divided into several stages: mini-tubers, super-super-elite, super-elite, elite, 1 reproduction, 2 reproduction, etc. That is, it is necessary to use only the ideal material bred after 6 growing seasons.
The cost of such material will be significant, but the result will be able to cover more substantial costs. Moreover, the purchase of expensive and high-quality planting material is a key condition for growing potatoes using Dutch technology.
One of the tricks that the Dutch use is planting potatoes with 100% germination. But according to laboratory studies, not a single potato variety has (and cannot, in principle, possess) a germination rate of more than 99%. How do they succeed?
Everything is very simple, but which is not done by any of the domestic producers: planting potato tubers that have already been sprouted. To do this for the industrial scale of the plots is an extremely difficult task, and nevertheless, tubers with existing sprouts will have sprouts with a 100 percent probability. And the use of high-quality fertilizers and more will only help the process.
Before planting, the following conditions for germination and selection should be met:
- it is impossible to use tubers smaller than 3-5 cm - the shoots will be very weak;
- the average weight of each unit of planting material should be within 50 grams;
- on each of the tubers 5 eyes (minimum);
- tubers are suitable for planting, the sprout length of which is 0.5 cm.
It is important to understand why tuber sprouts should not exceed half a centimeter: this is because of the mechanical way of planting. The fact is that longer sprouts are trite to break off, but sprouts up to 2 cm long are suitable for manual planting.
Exactly 30 days before the planned planting, existing tubers must be germinated. This is done in a dark room where the temperature is kept at 16-18 degrees above zero. Previously allowed to place them in a single layer on newspapers or fabrics on the floor.
Planting tubers should be bought in specialized stores, but not at agricultural fairs and, moreover, not with hands. Trying to save in this way will certainly come sideways (there are no quality guarantees), and the avaricious pays twice.
Features of the landing process
In Holland, great emphasis is placed on correctly selected dates for planting tubers:
- in no case should you do this early, otherwise the seedlings will suffer from frost;
- A good guideline will be planting in the soil, which warmed up to 8-10 degrees above zero.
Also, additionally check the ground in the following way: a handful of soil is taken in the palm of your hand, slightly squeezed and thrown down. If a lump crumbles into components from an impact, you can start planting potatoes. And if you keep the form, then it’s too early.
Following the general concept of Dutch technology, potato planting begins as soon as the preparation of the site is completed. Even a slight delay will result in drying out of the soil and a significant decrease in its positive qualities.
A person who grows potatoes for the first time according to the Dutch method will ask a reasonable question: “Why lose so much space where you can plant more tubers?”. However, Dutch agronomists perfectly calculated everything:
- after placing 6-8 tubers per 1 square. sprawling plants with very strong roots will grow;
- because of this, it is best to allocate as much free land as possible so that they have enough space and minerals;
- due to the large width of the rows (75-85 cm) and constant hilling, the roots of the potato will receive a lot of oxygen - vital to them for proper development and high yield;
- also a large width between the rows will allow the sun to warm the soil well;
- for the same reason, plants will have enough nutrients (plants will not fight each other, whose roots will receive the necessary minerals).
The planting area should have a deep arable layer, and the tubers will be placed 10 cm in depth. When seedlings appear, they are sprinkled with earth. This is important to repeat every time new seedlings reappear.
When planting potatoes with this method, the space between the rows will be 75-85 cm. And the distance between the bushes in the same row should be 30-40 cm:
To place the tubers in the holes is the shoots up, then they are covered with soil 4-6 cm. It is also important to remember that somewhere in a week the first weeds will appear. They must be destroyed immediately before they have time to give root.
Potato care
According to Dutch technology, planted potato tubers are bunched up (after the first sprouts) so that the height of the ridges rises to 8-12 cm and their width is 30-35 cm. Prior to this process, it is critical to destroy all weeds.
4 weeks after this procedure, the soil near the seedlings is carefully weeded and raked the soil from the row-spacing so that the height of the ridges is 23-30 cm. Near the base, they should have a width of 70-75 cm.
According to the rules of Dutch technology, weeding should no longer be carried out. But to remove weeds is important constantly, using high-quality herbicides. Good examples are Roundup, Gezagard, and Centurion.
You can not water the site more than 3 times:
- the first watering is carried out until flowering;
- the second - 10 days after flowering;
- the last watering - at the end of flowering (at this time tubers begin to grow).
Also on the site, preventive treatment with pest drugs is constantly carried out. A huge danger for the Dutch varieties is late blight, which should be controlled exclusively with preparations of biological origin. In this regard, Thanos and Ridomil have proven themselves well.
Another threat to the crop is the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm, which can be eliminated by the mentioned insecticides. However, this is allowed only before flowering, otherwise it will greatly affect plants and tubers.
Harvesting
Another key condition for Dutch technology is the timely harvest. Even for a short time, the tubers left on the site will begin to lose their taste, and their shelf life will be significantly reduced.
The collection of tubers is carried out according to the following rules:
- 10-15 days before the start of the harvest, the tops are removed from the potato bushes, leaving only bare “stumps” (5-7 cm high);
- after this, the tubers must still be kept in the soil for as long as they ripen, and they have a strong peel;
- Thanks to this procedure, tubers are less damaged and better stored.
Commercial tubers are harvested in late August and early September, and seed tubers are harvested much earlier in July-August.
This is the cultivation of potatoes by Dutch technology. An excellent harvest is influenced by strict observance of the rules, the use of high-quality materials, preparations and a responsible attitude to the process of caring for plants. Yes, you will have to spend a huge amount of energy, but the end result will please any person without exception.