When to plant and hill up potatoes: favorable dates

The hottest time for gardeners has come - time to plant potatoes. Root crops should be prepared in advance - throw away rotten tubers, break off large sprouts so that all potatoes sprout at the same time. Potatoes with thin sprouts will not yield a good harvest, and healthy and strong sprouts 1-2 cm long will start to develop a root system.

Experienced gardeners often use a sowing calendar. The phases of the moon help determine when it is best to plant root crops. OBOZ.UA figured out when to plant and huddle potatoes in May.

When to plant potatoes

This year, spring warmth came early, so many gardeners have already planted potatoes. May is also the time for hilling potatoes and weeding the beds.

In general, potatoes can be planted when the average daily temperature reaches 8-10 °C and the soil warms up to 7 °C at a depth of at least 10-12 cm. A well-lit area should be selected for root crops. Compliance with crop rotation rules is the key to a successful harvest. The best predecessors for potatoes are winter cereals, pumpkins, cabbage, legumes, and mustard.

When to plant and fertilize potatoes according to the sowing calendar

The most favorable period for planting root crops is the waning moon or a few days at the end of the growth phase.

Astrologers say that it is important that the Moon is in the signs of the earth - Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn. Water signs such as Scorpio, Cancer, and Pisces are also considered favorable.

The most favorable days for planting potatoes: May 3-4, 7, 11-13, 26-27, 30-31.

Within 2-3 weeks after planting, the first fertilizing should be done. At first, the sprouts receive the nutrients contained in the tuber, but during the period of active growth, they become insufficient. At this time, the real summer heat sets in, so you should also take care of thorough watering.

The best time for watering and fertilizing is according to the sowing calendar:

• May 3-4, 7-8, 11-13, 16-18, 21-22, 26-27, 30-31;
• June 3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17-19, 22-23, 26-27;
• 1-2, 5-6, 10-11, 15-16, 19-21, 24-25, 28-29 July.

When to hill up potatoes

The first hilling is carried out when the bushes reach a height of 15-20 cm, and the second - after 2-3 weeks.

According to the lunar calendar, the following dates are suitable for hilling and weeding:

• May 1-2, 5-13, 16-20, 23-29;
• June 1-9, 12-16, 20-25, 28-30;
• July 1-6, 10-14, 15-23, 26-31.

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