Growing potatoes in containers is an efficient way to save space. Garden pots, plastic grow bags and repurposed buckets all work well – just avoid those made of materials which release chemicals into the soil, such as old tires.
Hilling will increase your yield of tubers. As your potato plants develop, cover their foliage part with more soil and compost to increase yields of tubers.
Containers
Any container designed for cultivating vegetables can be used to cultivate potatoes, although garden soil is generally preferred over any well-draining medium such as perlite. When growing potatoes in containers, ensure there is ample space between plants as crowding leads to lower harvests and fewer tubers produced; additionally, plants may need to be hilled periodically in order to provide shelter from direct sunlight and promote more tuber production.
When selecting a container, it is ideal to choose one with drainage holes at its base and large enough for your plants to thrive – possibly four feet or deeper in depth! Incorporating organic matter such as coconut coir into the soil mix may also help retain moisture levels and enhance quality.
Though any type of potato can be grown in containers, it is best to choose varieties specifically tailored for this task. Early maturing varieties are especially advantageous because they will be ready to harvest sooner and won’t be susceptible to disease as much as late-season varieties are. Furthermore, certified seed potatoes should always be used – using non-certified starter potatoes may expose your crop to diseases that could threaten its success.
Once plants begin flowering, harvesting should begin. Simply reach down into your container and pick out several young, unformed potatoes from underneath it to pull up. Later in the season when your plants have turned yellow and begun dying back, simply tipping over your container onto a tarp will harvest all remaining tubers.
Soil
Potatoes need to be planted in soil that’s deep, loose, well-draining and acidic – with a pH between 4.8 and 5.5 (lower is better) – in order to prevent tuber rot. Container-grown potatoes also benefit from having some humus mixed into their container mix which increases resistance against disease and insects. Ideal potting mixtures include soilless potting mixes or quality compost, which are available from garden centers; garden soil can compact easily, dry out rapidly and often contain seeds which would damage container grown plants grown within their containers compared with container grown ones.
Assemble growing containers by adding 6 inches of potting mix and seed potatoes spaced six-inches (15 cm). Cover them with additional potting mix and water regularly as the plants develop; water every two weeks after plants reach 6 inches (15 cm). At this stage it might also be beneficial to supplement their growth with liquid fertilizers for best results.
As the season advances, watch for signs that your potatoes are ready to be harvested. As soon as their foliage starts turning yellow, stop watering completely to allow the plants to dry out and mature properly; once this occurs, stop giving the plant any nourishment – sweet and delicious potatoes await harvest! Alternatively, wait until their full height has been reached before harvesting begins once top-heavy plants appear; harvest prior to frost for best results; otherwise cover containers with light blankets or plastic to protect the plants.
Light
Potatoes require at least six hours of sunlight each day in order to produce large and nutritious tubers. While other vegetables such as lettuces, spinach and most herbs can withstand partial shade sites, potatoes require direct sunlight.
Potatoes require sturdy containers with deep enough soil that allow their roots to spread out fully. While 5-gallon buckets, plastic bins, and stacks of tires all work, the ideal container would be one with drainage holes – if your planter does not already come equipped with one create one by covering its bottom with small stones or pebbles for drainage holes; use only organic matter (no sand or soil!). Sand and soil may cause blockages which damage containers causing crops to die off early.
As container plants lack protection from surrounding vegetation, they dry out more rapidly than plants grown in the ground. Therefore, an effective watering regimen is key to their success; in particular for potatoes which tend to rot if overwatered so be sure to monitor soil moisture and use only light and well-draining potting mix when planting veggies in containers.
If the soil is heavy or clay-like, amend it with organic matter such as compost and finely chopped leaves before planting. If your container is too large for this approach, an alternative such as using layers of shredded newspaper or fabric to retain moisture may help.
When planting potatoes, hill the soil to an approximate depth of 10 inches until vines start trailing from the container’s lip. After your potatoes have established themselves, consider applying two or three seaweed extract sprays or liquid fertilizers twice during each growing season to improve tuber health and reduce greening and fungal diseases.
Water
Potatoes need plenty of water when grown in either a 5-gallon bucket or window box, as well as regular applications of balanced soluble fertilizer to promote healthy tuber development and ensure they grow optimally. Given that potatoes tend to grow in loose soil environments, proper drainage must be ensured so as to prevent their roots from becoming waterlogged and becoming waterlogged themselves.
Containers designed specifically to grow potatoes should feature an ample bottom space where their roots can flourish, such as old wood barrels. Urns, watering cans or even metal wheelbarrows also work great as containers for your potatoes. When choosing wooden containers as their host for planting potatoes, drilling holes at the bottom for drainage holes is recommended in order to provide ample access to water during growth.
Once planted, containers should be watered daily to maintain consistent soil moisture levels. To measure moisture levels accurately, stick your finger in the soil up to the second knuckle and feel for dampness – containers tend to dry out faster than land so frequent monitoring may be required.
As your plants continue to develop, it’s advisable to hill them periodically. Once vines reach approximately one foot tall, add additional potting soil on top to protect the young tubers from direct sunlight and aid their production of more tubers.
Many websites provide tutorials on how to cultivate potatoes in buckets or garden beds, but experience is the ultimate teacher. Begin growing some potatoes yourself and see how well they do; that way you’ll gain a greater insight into what it takes for successful cultivation in your own backyard – you might just be amazed by the outcome and it could make it well worth your while to try something new!
Care
Care tips for successful potato cultivation in limited space include keeping soil consistently moist and fertilizing regularly. Watering should take place whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry; and light applications of diluted liquid fertilizers (fish or kelp emulsion) should be made every few weeks to promote tuber formation.
Potato plants can quickly become top-heavy as the season progresses and may topple over in strong winds, necessitating containers being placed in protected locations or secure with heavy objects (Figure 2). A trellis may also help facilitate vine growth while providing additional support for your plants.
Containers can be placed throughout a garden to enhance its design, from formal front doors or driveways to intimate patio settings. A pair of identical potato towers may create a formal aesthetic while several smaller buckets in one corner help create a more informal aesthetic.
Potato bags and towers can be used for growing potatoes; however, any opaque container with drainage holes – from barrels, garbage bins, plastic storage containers and even chimney flues – is suitable for this task. However, selecting an appropriately tall container is key as too tall a height could make water distribution harder and lead to the top portion drying out before the bottom, possibly leading to the plants rotting over time. A general guideline suggests choosing containers of at least 10-15 gallons capacity as an optimum size.
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