Small Space Potato Growing

Potatoes offer a rewarding gardening experience because harvesting them feels like finding a hidden, bountiful treasure. Potatoes are relatively easy to grow and can be grown in garbage bags, sacks, or potato bins. The potato bin is actually a large plastic 20 to 25 gallon bucket.  This type of bin is large enough to accommodate other vegetable projects such as tomatoes, squash and cucumbers! Potatoes can be started in early spring for a late summer harvest.

To start potatoes in a bag or sack, roll the sides down until you have a planting area 8” – 12” deep. Site your project in a sunny location receiving a minimum of 6 hours sunshine. You will need to poke holes in the bottom of the bag for drainage.  Fill the bag with Sloat Organic Potting Soil. Mix in EB Stone Sure Start. Place your seed potatoes 5”-6” apart.  If the potatoes are large, you can cut them in two.  Make sure each piece has at least three eyes.  Allow cut pieces to thoroughly dry before planting (about 3 days).  Cover the “seeds” with 4” of potting soil and water. 

After the sprouts emerge, let them grow 4” high and then bury the stems with EB Stone Planting Compost.  Roll up the sides off the bag to hold everything in place.  Continue to pile compost around the plant stems as they grow, leaving the leaves exposed. In a few weeks, your bag will be unrolled to its full size.  Leave enough space at the top for watering.  You will need to poke some holes in the sides of the bag as well about 12” up the side to improve drainage.  The potato plant will form side roots (where the tubers form) all along its covered stem.  To plant the bin, follow the same method as the bag.  You will need to drill a few ½” holes in the sides about 8” up from the bottom to enhance drainage.

Potatoes require regular watering but it is best to apply fertilizers lightly.  Liquid fertilizer such as Tiger Bloom (2-4-4) can be applied every 6 weeks until June. Give your potatoes a feeding of Grow Big (6-4-4) at the beginning of June and July.  Feed nothing after the July feeding.  Too much nitrogen enhances the top growth and we want the roots! 

New, small potatoes can be harvested anytime when the plant is in flower by reaching into the compost and wiggling them free.  Mature potatoes are ready to harvest about 100 days after planting.  The top of the plant stops flowering and begins to turn yellow. It has to be stated here because it HAS caused confusion- potatoes are formed underground, not where the flower is. You will not want to keep watering once the plant has withered completely.  You can harvest the potatoes by dumping the bag or tub in a part sun area.  Allow the potatoes to “cure” (air dry) for 2 or 3 days before storing.  Do not wash the potatoes as this will encourage rotting.

The pleasure of eating fruits, herbs and vegetables harvested yourself is so sublime that sometimes mere words cannot do this experience justice. These are the fruits of your gardening labors and you should plan for them. Go ahead and dream of backyard strawberries, tomatoes in containers or herbs sprinkled onto the evening salad because now is the perfect time to get ready for edible gardening.

Need help growing your own? Stop by any Sloat Garden Center location with questions. We can help!

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