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Siberia is a northern region with a rather difficult climate. Everything is possible in it: sudden spring or autumn frosts, intense heat in July, heavy rains in August - and this is not the whole list of weather surprises in this region. Such a Siberian climate seems very harsh to many vegetable crops. But this is not a reason not to plant anything. It's just that for growing in such difficult climatic conditions, it is necessary to select more resistant varieties that can withstand such a climate. In this article we will look at potatoes, or rather, the best potato varieties for Siberia.
The timing of planting potatoes in Siberia
Siberia occupies a fairly large area: it will make up about 57% of the entire territory of Russia. All Siberia can be conditionally divided into the Western and Eastern regions. The climatic conditions in them are slightly different, which means that the timing of planting potatoes is also different.
The eastern regions are distinguished by their harsh, long winters and short but very hot summers. It is in these regions that the weather has a wayward character: frosts, uneven precipitation, most of which falls in late summer or early autumn. Considering all these factors, the timing of planting potatoes in this region begins in mid-May, when the weather stabilizes a little.
But the western regions were a little more fortunate. Their climate is a little milder, so you can plant potatoes in the West of Siberia in early May.
According to these folk landmarks, potatoes can be planted only after the first buds begin to bloom on the birch.
Potato varieties for Siberia
Despite such a harsh climate, quite a few varieties of potatoes can be grown in Siberia. The State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation allows planting 53 different varieties of potatoes in the Siberian climate. In addition to these varieties of Russian selection, in the climatic conditions of Siberia, some Dutch, Ukrainian and German varieties can also be planted. Below we will arrive at a description of the very best of them, grouped by:
- popularity;
- yield.
Most Popular
For several years these varieties have been occupying leading positions in cultivation in the vastness of Siberia.
Adretta
This German potato variety is perfect for growing in our Siberia. It has an average ripening period, so it makes no sense to dig in the potatoes before 60 days. The bushes of Adretta's potatoes are more compact than those of the varieties of our selection, but they are often not worth planting.
This table variety with smooth yellow tubers has earned its popularity for its excellent taste. Small potatoes with an average weight of 100–150 grams are perfect for boiling and roasting. Their light yellow pulp keeps its shape perfectly, and the starch content in it will not exceed 17%.
But Adretta is famous not only for her taste. Her bushes and root crops are not at all afraid of potato crayfish and stem nematodes. In addition, they are not susceptible to late blight.
Alyona
Potatoes of this variety will ripen quite early - within 70-75 days from the moment of germination. Alena's potato bushes are quite sprawling, so when planting, you should adhere to the 60x35 cm scheme.
Alena potatoes have a smooth red surface with small eyes.It is not very large. Most often, its weight will be no more than 150 grams. She has good marketability and taste. The white pulp of this variety contains 15-17% starch. Alena is perfect not only for frying and mashed potatoes, but also for making French fries.
This potato variety is distinguished by its high and stable yield. In addition, it is immune to the most common potato diseases and has excellent drought tolerance. It is also important that Alena's potatoes can be harvested mechanically, which means that it is suitable for growing on an industrial scale.
Zhukovsky early
This early-ripening table variety can be started to undermine on the 50th day from germination. He has rather large, strongly branched bushes. Smooth surface Zhukovsky's potatoes early can be painted pink or red. The weight characteristic of the variety will be between 122 and 167 grams.
Many gardeners love early Zhukovsky potatoes thanks to its white flesh that does not darken after cutting. The starch content in it will be from 10 to 15%. The excellent taste and commercial qualities of this potato variety are complemented by good resistance to potato crayfish and nematode.
Luck
This early variety of table potatoes has earned its popularity due to its excellent taste. Its tubers, which can be dug in after 55 days from the first shoots, have a thin and very smooth skin. On its light beige rounded surface, small and rare eyes will be visible. Weight parameters of potatoes will be 100-130 grams. The starch in the white pulp of Luck will not exceed 15%.
Luck potatoes are extremely drought tolerant, which is why they are often used for growing in large areas. In addition, the variety has good resistance to viruses and late blight, but can be attacked by common scab.
The most productive
In the harsh weather conditions of Siberia, not many varieties can boast of high yields, even if such is laid down in them at the selection level. Below we will consider 5 varieties, the productivity of which is not afraid even of the harsh Siberian climate.
Impala
This Dutch potato variety in the vastness of Siberia shows simply incredible results: up to 360 centners per hectare of land. The first crop of tubers under the tall and dense bushes of the Impala will ripen within a month and a half after planting.
Like all early varieties, Impala cannot boast of a large tuber size. Their weight will be between 80 and 150 grams. But this does not affect its taste and marketability in any way. The surface of Impala potatoes is smooth and yellow. Small eyes are expressed on it, and light yellow flesh is hidden under it. The starch in the pulp will be about 15%.
Impala is one of those varieties that are resistant to all types of nematodes. But at the same time, it can be affected by late blight and rhizoctoniasis.
Lugovskoy
Lugovskiy variety of table potatoes is a pearl of selection in Ukraine. It is actively grown throughout Russia, including Siberia.
The first crop of Lugovsky potatoes can be harvested in 75 days from germination. Its tubers are not so large in size, and their weight will be about 85-125 grams. Lugovsky's rind is smooth to the touch. There are small eyes on its light pink surface.
The white flesh of these small potatoes has a high starch content of about 19%. The taste and consumer characteristics of this variety are excellent. In addition to the standard blackfoot resistance, scab and potato crayfish, Lugovskoy has resistance to late blight. But in front of some viruses, he can pass.
Lyubava
When grown in the climatic conditions of Siberia, the Lyubava potato variety shows almost record yields.When grown commercially, this variety will yield between 288 and 400 centners per hectare of land.
Potatoes Lyubava can be attributed to early ripening varieties, the fruiting of which occurs in 65–70 days. Tubers of this variety have a rather rough red skin, on which eyes of medium depth are visible. The mass of one potato will be 109-210 grams.
Lyubava potatoes have good taste characteristics and a very high keeping quality. The starch in its pulp will be between 11 and 17%.
Scarlet
An early ripe table potato variety that shows itself perfectly when grown in Siberia. When landing in May, you can dig it up in late June - early July.
Scarlet tubers have a smooth red skin with small eyes. The average weight of potatoes will be 80–150 grams. Scarlet pulp is yellowish in color. The starch in it is at an average level, not exceeding 15%.
Scarlet has good resistance to potato cancer and tuber late blight.
Timo
Finnish high-yielding potato variety with early ripening periods of 60 to 70 days. With early harvesting potatoes Timo can get up to 240 centners per hectare, and with a late one, even more - about 320.
Timo has small, neat, rounded tubers. Most often, their weight does not exceed 100 grams, but potatoes weighing 120 grams can also come across. On the smooth skin of Timo, eyes of medium depth are distinctly expressed. The skin itself, as well as the pulp hidden behind it, are light yellow in color. The starch content of Timo's pulp will be about 12-14%.
The sustainability of this potato varieties disease is not as good as her taste. Timo will not get potato cancer, but he can easily pick up late blight and scab.
All considered varieties show excellent results when planting in this climatically difficult region. But when growing them, it is worth remembering that planting potatoes in Siberia is different from planting in more favorable territories. Therefore, before disembarking, we recommend that you read the video:
In addition, the reviews of people who have already planted it can help in choosing a variety of potatoes for Siberia. We will present some of them below.
