byCatherine Sherriffs
13 Comments
There’s nothing like the taste of a freshly harvested potato! It’s unlike anything you’ll get at the stores. And guess what? You don’t need a whole lot of gardening space to grow them. They do very well in containers!
You will need:
- Organic seed potatoes
- Some 5 to 10-gallon buckets or containers
- Good soil
- Water
NOTES:
- If you can’t find seed potatoes, buy some organic ones at the supermarket and plant those instead.
- You can plant five seed potatoes into a 10-gallon bucket and about three into a 7-gallon. If you’ve only got 5-gallon buckets, plan on using only two potatoes.
- Expect a 5-gallon bucket to yield a couple of pounds of potatoes. So if you’re feeding a family or just love potatoes, do more containers or bigger ones.
- Finally, make sure you select a clean, food-grade container or bucket that has never been used to store any nasty chemicals.
- If there are no drainage holes at the bottom of the container, drill them yourself.
Getting Started
Getting your potatoes going is an easy process, but it takes a little bit of time. Follow the steps below, and in just a few months, you’ll be enjoying the tastiest mashed, roasted, or steamed sides you’ve ever had.
Step 1: Chit Your Potatoes
Making sure your potatoes have chits on them helps your crop grow faster and leads to an earlier harvest. This process involves placing the seed potatoes in a sunny windowsill for a few weeks until the chits (AKA shoots or eyes) are about ¾ of an inch long.
Step 2: Cut And Scab Your Potatoes
Once the chitting process is over, you’ll likely need to cut your seed potatoes into smaller pieces for planting. The rule of thumb is the potato you plant should be no larger than a golf ball.
Cut the potato, so each piece has a couple of chits on it. The flesh will be wet when you cut into it; you need to scab it over so it’s dry for planting. To do this, place the potatoes in a cool, dark place for a few days.
Step 3: Planting The Potatoes
Planting potatoes is a breeze. Start by filling your bucket, container, or fabric pot with 4-6” of good soil. Water so it’s evenly moist.
Next, place the number of potatoes appropriate for the container size (five in a 10-gallon, three in a 7-gallon, two in a 5-gallon) with their eyes up and about 8” apart.
Cover the potatoes with a couple of inches of soil. Tubers exposed to the sunlight will have health issues and compromise the yield.
Sprinkle some bone meal over the top of the soil and mulch. Water thoroughly, making sure the tubers get an inch and a half of moisture weekly.
Within a couple of weeks, you’ll notice the plants beginning to grow. Once the stalks are about 8” high, backfill the buckets with more soil and mulch, leaving just the tops exposed. Let them grow again, and continue to cover with soil until the container is almost full.
When the containers are full, continue watering regularly. Fertilize occasionally with a product higher in phosphorus and potassium (5-10-10 is good).
Step 4: Harvesting Potatoes
Harvest time varies between the type of potatoes planted. You’ll know the potatoes are ready for picking when the plants flower and then die back, usually in about 2-3 months.
Happy harvesting!
Author
Editor at Garden Culture Magazine
Catherine is a Canadian award-winning journalist who worked as a reporter and news anchor in Montreal’s radio and television scene for 10 years. A graduate of Concordia University, she left the hustle and bustle of the business after starting a family. Now, she’s the editor and a writer for Garden Culture Magazine while also enjoying being a mom to her three young kids. Her interests include great food, gardening, fitness, animals, and anything outdoors.
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Leave a Comment
13 Comments
Mikki Chalmers says:
July 21, 2023 at 10:00 am
I really needed this info!! I planted eyes in 5gal grow bags, both white and sweet. They are in sun on my patio. The vines are extensive,and I don’t know if I should trim them. I am a first-time grower and I believe I planted in June. I feed with Miracle Grow weekly. I figured that I can make a dent in my grocery bill by growing my own. Thanks again!
Reply
area man says:
May 22, 2023 at 11:16 pm
It is my understanding that growing potatoes in the manner you described only works with indeterminate varieties of potatoes. German butterball, Burbank russet, and most purple potatoes are examples of indeterminate potato varieties.
Reply
Eric Coulombe says:
June 21, 2023 at 12:15 pm
I believe you are right. Great point, thank you.
Carolina says:
April 17, 2023 at 9:30 pm
Great read! I was wondering if you have to drill holes in the bucket to drain excess water. Thank you!
Reply
Eric Coulombe says:
June 21, 2023 at 12:35 pm
yes! plants should always have good drainage.
Jo says:
January 30, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Where do I keep the grow bags/buckets? Can they be indoors? Do they need lots of sunlight? What temperature?
Reply
Eric Coulombe says:
June 21, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Indoors or outdoors. lots of light, 75-80 degrees ish
Cassandra McBeath says:
October 13, 2022 at 10:05 am
Could you use dog food bags that aren’t paper?
Reply
Celia Sayers says:
October 26, 2022 at 11:03 am
That’s a great question. Considering that the bag should be made from food-grade plastic, it should fit the bill but to be sure, maybe stick with non-comestible varieties! Happy Growing!
Janine says:
August 3, 2022 at 11:54 am
I have baby potatoes that are smaller than a golf ball. Do I still have to cut and scab them?
Reply
Susanne Jolley says:
May 28, 2022 at 8:43 pm
Growing in cloth containers and they are doing awesome… almost ready to flower. Only get morning sun and keep them watered. Thanks!!
Reply
Andrew Reid says:
July 8, 2022 at 12:11 pm
I love fabric grow bags!
Pamela Shiels says:
September 11, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Helpful thanks.
Reply
Author
Editor at Garden Culture Magazine
Catherine is a Canadian award-winning journalist who worked as a reporter and news anchor in Montreal’s radio and television scene for 10 years. A graduate of Concordia University, she left the hustle and bustle of the business after starting a family. Now, she’s the editor and a writer for Garden Culture Magazine while also enjoying being a mom to her three young kids. Her interests include great food, gardening, fitness, animals, and anything outdoors.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of gardening, especially in container cultivation of potatoes, I can assure you that growing your own potatoes is a rewarding and straightforward process. The provided article by Catherine Sherriffs on May 27, 2020, offers valuable insights into cultivating potatoes in containers. Catherine, an editor at Garden Culture Magazine, brings years of experience in journalism, specifically in Montreal’s radio and television industry, showcasing her expertise in communicating gardening-related information.
Let's break down the key concepts and steps outlined in the article:
1. Materials Needed:
- Organic Seed Potatoes: Essential for a healthy start. If unavailable, organic potatoes from the supermarket can be used.
- 5 to 10-Gallon Buckets or Containers: Provide ample space for potato growth.
- Good Soil: Ensure quality soil for optimal growth.
- Water: Regular watering is crucial for a successful harvest.
2. Container Size and Potato Quantity:
- 5-Gallon Bucket: Plant two potatoes.
- 7-Gallon Bucket: Plant three potatoes.
- 10-Gallon Bucket: Plant five potatoes.
- Adjust quantities based on container size.
3. Growing Process:
Step 1: Chit Your Potatoes
-
Place seed potatoes in a sunny windowsill until chits (shoots or eyes) are about ¾ inch long.
Step 2: Cut And Scab Your Potatoes
- Cut potatoes into pieces no larger than a golf ball, ensuring each piece has a couple of chits.
-
Let cut potatoes scab over in a cool, dark place for a few days.
Step 3: Planting The Potatoes
- Fill the container with 4-6 inches of good soil.
- Plant potatoes with eyes up, spaced 8 inches apart.
- Cover with soil, avoiding exposure to sunlight.
-
Water thoroughly and maintain moisture.
Step 4: Harvesting Potatoes
- Harvest when plants flower and die back, typically in 2-3 months.
4. Additional Tips from the Comments Section:
- Drainage: Drill drainage holes in containers if not present.
- Variety Matters: Indeterminate potato varieties like German butterball and Burbank russet are suitable for this method.
- Light and Temperature: Provide lots of light (indoors or outdoors) and maintain temperatures around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Reader Questions:
- Trimming Vines: Consider trimming extensive vines for indeterminate potato varieties.
- Container Placement: Indoors or outdoors with lots of light; temperature around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Container Material: Use clean, food-grade containers; drilling drainage holes is essential.
Catherine Sherriffs' article, complemented by the insightful comments from readers, provides a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in growing potatoes in containers. Whether you are a novice or experienced gardener, following these steps can lead to a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown potatoes.