How potatoes are grown in Germany
Germans are famously meticulous in everything, even when it comes to planting potatoes. Even a simple potato planting in Germany seems like a complex, pre-planned operation. But the results of such labor are quite impressive. We present to you the technology for growing potatoes in Germany. Let's get started.
Immense attention is paid to soil preparation: it is thoroughly shaken to remove any possible weeds. Ridges ensure faster soil drying, better warming, and longer-lasting soil looseness. Large gaps are left between rows, but the trench itself for the tubers is kept as narrow as possible. Inter-row cultivation is also particularly effective: the potato plants are covered with soil from between the rows. This ensures that the roots remain in the lower layer, while the tubers themselves remain on top, without excess moisture that they do not need. Potato varieties are primarily fertilized with mineral fertilizers. Pre-sprouting allows for earlier planting, which accelerates tuber formation, shortens the growing season, and increases yield by up to 15 percent. In Germany, the following planting pattern is generally accepted: 25-30 cm between holes in a row. It's also worth noting that German farmers use only healthy, certified seed potatoes, purchased from reliable suppliers. Potato seeders mechanize the planting process, and the productivity of these machines provides an excellent opportunity to plant potatoes quickly, which is critical during sowing. Given that the area allocated for planting is not much smaller than wheat fields, efficient and rapid harvesting is only possible using specialized equipment. A potato harvester is an excellent choice for this task. It's important to note that potato harvesters come in two types: trailed and mounted. The former is larger in size and, consequently, more productive. Therefore, they are well suited for large farms. Both varieties operate on the same principle.