Potatoes used to be a crop that you needed a lot of rows and a lot of space to grow a large harvest. But did you know you can grow over 100 pounds of potatoes in just four square feet of awesome gardening space? The secret is instead of growing out in rows is to grow vertically up in mounds. Here is how to grow potatoes in tiny spaces. I am using these black potato grow bags on my deck this year.
Mound It Up
Start with a base layer of top-quality potting soil. Source good seed potatoes and either plant the whole thing or cut the potato eyes out in 1-2 inch pieces. On this base layer of soil, place 2-3 seed eye pieces with the potato eye facing up. Place four inches of potting soil on top of the seed potatoes.
Certified Organic: Red Pontiac Seed Potatoes
Now, you can do this mound without any sort of container, but it is easier if you use one. You can use a potato bag, a Lutovsky box, or even used pallets.
As the potatoes send roots down and stems and leaves up, it is time to add the next layer. Once the stems are 12 inches tall, add three more seed potato pieces and repeat the process over again. You can grow vertically 5-6 times by continually mounding on more potting soil.
Gardeners Grow Bags – Potato Planter
Tips and Tricks
Growing potatoes vertically takes a lot of water. Make sure that the soil never dries out or you will have rotten potatoes in your pile. Once you have grown or mounded up at least four times, you can start to harvest the potatoes on the bottom. Remove the bottom board in your pallet or Lutovsky box and harvest the potatoes that are the oldest in the pile. After you have harvested the ripe potatoes, replace the soil and board. In 10-14 days, you can harvest the next row. What’s awesome about planting potatoes this way is that you have created a succession garden, giving you homegrown potatoes each week.
You can overwinter these potatoes by storing them in straw in a cool dark place.
I’d love to hear from those of you who have done this and your experiences with the grow bags or boxes in the comments below!
Could someone please tell me what time of year can I start growing trash can potatoes?????
Depends what zone you live in…your last frost and such. What zone are you or where do you live?
I never saw anything like this before – it looks fun and I’d love to try it!
I will be growing potatoes again this year. I did some in a container I had and they actually did great.
We’re just getting ready to plant some potatoes this summer, we’ve been thinking about going vertical. This post is great! I don’t like the idea of the bag because even if it is BPA free and all that jazz I just don’t want to grow my food in plastic, I still don’t trust it. Have you ever seen or tried purple potatoes? They are AMAZING!
We will have to grow some potatoes like this. I wish I had known earlier this yr. So glad someone figured this out. Something new to look forward to next yr.
The garden grow bags sound great for small areas. I would love to try these next year to grow potatoes
I am going to try this! Thank you for sharing!
This is great! I’m going to have to try it! Thank you so much for linking up with our Living with Style Linky Party! Come back next Wednesday!
Lisa @ http://www.harmonyandhappiness.com
I am been wanting to do something like this. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Roundup
Wow. I never thought that I could grow potatoes in a gardener’s bag. I’ve bookmarked this post and will definitely be trying it.
I know Wen! I have 4 bags going right now on my deck! Saved the raised beds for more Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli!
nice
I have been wanting to try this! I think it would be fun! It would also save on having to buy potatoes at the store!
Oh anything grown in your garden tastes miles above what you can buy!