Growing potatoes in containers is a great for anyone who lives in a small space. They are super easy to grow and perfect for anyone who is new to gardening. I will show you different kinds of containers to grow your potatoes in and all the supplies you will need to get started.
This guide is all about how to grow potatoes in containers. Potatoes are such an important vegetable to have in your kitchen. They can be made into so many things and can be added to almost any meal to bulk it up. Some of my favorite things to make with potatoes are potato soup, beef and potato stew or last but certainly not least added to a craw fish boil.
Why grow in containers?
Potatoes need a lot of sunlight and loose soil with good drainage. If the soil becomes too moist and there isn’t enough drainage, then the potatoes will mold, rot, or become diseased. The container also gives you the freedom to move the plant around if where its located isn’t ideal.
What to type of container do I use?
You can use any large container that has some kind of drainage. I like to use 10 to 20 gallon grow bags because they are affordable and have really good drainage. I have also used large whiskey barrels, raised beds and even buckets with holes drilled at the bottom. The deeper the pot, the better, but it should be at least 15 inches deep.
What are seed potatoes?
Seed potatoes are just potatoes that have sprouted or “chitted”. Sprouts will grow from the eyes of the potato if it has been exposed to light for an extended period of time. This is why grocery stores spray a sprout inhibitor on them to extend their shelf life. You can purchase seed potatoes from most feed or garden supply stores.
If you wish to make your own, you can buy organic potatoes and sprout them yourself by leaving them by a window or a room with a lot of natural light for six weeks. They will be ready to plant with the sprouts are about a quarter to a half inch long.
When to plant potatoes
Potatoes don’t like extreme heat or cold so they are best to plant right after your last frost date. For most people in the United States, this is usually around march or April. I live in southern Louisiana so I actually plant mine in January or February because by April my climate can be too hot for them to thrive.
How to plant potatoes
First pick the container that you want to use and make sure that there is holes at the bottom for drainage. If you are using grow bags then you wont need to worry that step since the bags are made from material. The bigger your container is, the more room the tubers have to grow potatoes.
Get some raised bed soil and compost, mix them together and fill the container up half way. Grab your sprouted potatoes and place them with the sprouted eye up into the soil. Place each potato about six to ten inches apart from each other then cover them with about five to six inches of soil. Make sure the potatoes are completely covered and are not exposed to light. If they are exposed to light while growing, they will turn green and will become inedible.
Water them just until the soil is moist making sure not to over water. Potatoes can rot if they are over watered or are in soil that has poor drainage. Once the leaves of the plant start to grow above the soil start to pile more soil on top of the potatoes leaving a few inches of the leaves exposed to the sun.
Continue to pile soil until the container is full, then put some type of mulch around the plants to retain moisture and keep the soil from drying out. I like to use seeding straw but you can use pine needles, leaves, or wood mulch. Potatoes take about Three to four months to grow once planted.
How to harvest potatoes
You can harvest potatoes once the tops of the plants start to die back and turn a yellowish color. I always pull up one plant just to see how big the potatoes are so I can judge whether or not they need a little bit longer to grow. Don’t leave them in the ground too long because they can get eaten by bugs and pest or begin to rot.
Once you have harvested the potatoes wipe off any excess dirt. Spread them out on a shallow box or large baking sheet and let them “cure” in a dark well ventilated area for about a week or two. This will allow the skin to dry and harden around the potato making them better for storage. Store potatoes in a dark cool room away from light.
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