Potatoes are a tasty and easy-to-grow vegetable that you can cultivate at home, even if you don’t have a garden. In fact, growing them in containers offers several advantages. When you plant potatoes in pots, you can control the soil quality and easily keep an eye on pests and diseases. Plus, harvesting is a breeze since you won’t need to do much digging.
Container gardening can be highly productive and helps protect your potatoes from common pests like wireworms and voles. It’s also an ideal solution if your garden space is limited or if the soil in your area is too rocky for planting.
Potatoes tend to take up a lot of room in traditional garden beds, so using containers like trash cans or burlap bags can save space while still giving you a great harvest. You can start planting potatoes in pots in early spring—just wait about two weeks after the last frost.
Ready to try growing your own spuds in containers? Follow these tips and techniques from gardening pros to successfully plant and harvest potatoes right at home!
Why should you grow potatoes in containers?
There’s something incredibly satisfying about digging up your own homegrown potatoes from rich, dark soil—it’s a rewarding experience that embodies the essence of growing your own food.
Personally, I can’t imagine a season without my annual potato harvest. They’re simple to grow, and every year, I look forward to the abundance of fresh tubers that never fail to impress.
But let’s be honest—not everyone has the space for a traditional potato patch. Potatoes need a lot of room, with rows requiring about 45cm (18 inches) between them. What starts as a few seed potatoes can quickly turn into a space dilemma. So, what’s the solution? Containers!
I grow most of my potatoes in 30-liter buckets, and it’s been a game-changer for a couple of reasons. First, you can control the growing conditions. You don’t have to worry about soil drying out, cracking, or unpredictable frost. If there’s a cold snap, you can simply move the container into a protected area like a polytunnel.
Second, containers allow you to start your crop early. You can keep them inside until the plants start to peek above the compost, then move them outside when the weather improves. Plus, using containers can speed up your harvest—black buckets absorb heat, helping plants grow faster by improving nutrient uptake.
For gardeners short on space, containers are a fantastic option. Whether you use pots, sacks, old tires, or even an old sink, potatoes are surprisingly adaptable and can thrive almost anywhere with the right care. A few well-placed pots on your patio can even add a lush, green touch to your garden space.
Beyond aesthetics, growing potatoes in containers offers practical benefits. You avoid common soil-borne pests and diseases like eelworm and scab, get a break from heavy digging, and can experiment with multiple varieties without worrying about mixing them up or crop rotation.
It’s also a fun and easy project for kids! So, if you’re not already growing potatoes in containers, give it a try—you won’t regret it!
When to Plant Potatoes in Containers
You can start planting potatoes in containers about two weeks before the last frost in your area. However, if a late frost is in the forecast, it’s a good idea to either move your containers to a sheltered spot or cover them until the weather warms up.
The timing of planting also depends on when you want to harvest. For a summer crop, plant your potatoes in early spring, around two to four weeks before the last frost. For a fall harvest, plant them in mid to late summer, roughly two to three months before the first frost.
Be sure the soil is warm enough for sprouting, as potatoes won’t grow well in cold soil and may rot.
How to Choose the Best Container for Growing Potatoes
When it comes to growing potatoes, picking the right container is crucial. Start by ensuring the container is big enough—each potato plant will need about 2.5 gallons of space to thrive. That’s roughly 10 liters.
Avoid overcrowding; it might seem like you’re making the most of your space, but it could lead to puny potatoes or none at all. For example, a standard garbage can size works well for about four plants.
Make sure your chosen container has sufficient drainage holes to let any excess water escape. This is vital to prevent waterlogged soil which can harm your plants. Containers on the market like potato growing sacks are specifically designed for this and usually accommodate three plants.
The type of container you go for doesn’t matter too much as long as it meets these criteria. It should also be made from a material that’s safe for growing food. Avoid using containers like old tires, which can leach harmful chemicals into the soil.
Instead, consider using barrels, trash cans, plastic storage tubs, or specially made fabric potato grow bags, which are great due to their breathable fabric that allows for good drainage.
Remember, the container should be opaque to keep light from reaching the potatoes and ideally have a depth of 14 to 36 inches. Containers that are too large can make watering evenly a challenge, so aim for a balanced size.
Each plant will need around five gallons of soil volume. If you’re using a container around 20 inches in diameter, you can plant up to four potato plants.
Lastly, fabric potato grow bags are not only widely available but also come in various sizes and ensure excellent drainage, making them a reliable choice. If you prefer plastic buckets or bins, just make sure to drill those drainage holes before planting, and ensure they’re made of food-safe plastic to withstand outdoor conditions.
Top Potato Varieties for Container Gardening
If you’re thinking about growing potatoes in containers, it’s essential to pick the right varieties that thrive in a limited space. Look for types that don’t just fit well in pots but also promise a hearty yield. Some top picks for container potatoes include:
- Red Potatoes – These are a classic choice, versatile and delicious.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes – Famous for their smooth texture and buttery flavor.
- Fingerling Potatoes – Small and slender, these are perfect for compact spaces.
- Purple Potatoes – They add a pop of color and are nutrient-rich.
- Ratte Potatoes – Known for their unique, earthy taste.
While you can grow any potato in a container, the larger types might feel a bit cramped and yield fewer potatoes. Smaller varieties, particularly those harvested young like new potatoes, are more prolific producers in confined spaces.
Early varieties are usually more successful in containers because they mature quickly, avoiding the late-summer risk of potato blight. Salad potatoes are excellent for container gardening; ‘Charlotte’ is a great choice with its firm yet creamy texture. Also, check out the flavorful ‘Lady Christl’, speedy ‘Rocket’, and the uniquely nutty ‘Anya’.
How to Plant Potatoes in Containers
Planting potatoes in containers is a smart way to extend your gardening space and enjoy fresh spuds. Start by chopping your seed potatoes into chunks, each with at least two eyes, which are the sprouts where your potato plants will grow from.
Give these chunks a few days to dry out and develop a protective callus before planting—this step is crucial for healthy growth.
Choose a container that’s deep enough to allow for “hilling” which means adding soil as your plants grow. The best soil for this is a mix of half “soilless” potting mix and half well-rotted compost, available at your local garden center.
Avoid using fresh manure as it can harm the plants. If your container has ample drainage holes, there’s no need to add rocks at the bottom.
Place your container in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily. The ideal soil pH for potatoes is slightly acidic, between 5.2 and 6.0, to prevent common diseases like scab. Plant the potato pieces about 10 inches apart, with the eyes facing upward, and cover with about 3 to 4 inches of your soil mix.
Water the soil to keep it consistently moist, not soggy. As the stems grow, periodically add more soil around them, making sure not to bury the top part completely. This technique, known as hilling, helps produce a bigger yield by encouraging growth along the buried portion of the stems.
If you’re using a very large container, like a trash can, consider mixing in lighter materials like shredded paper or straw to make the soil easier to manage.
How to Care for Potatoes in Containers
Growing potatoes in containers is a rewarding endeavor, and with the right care, you can look forward to a bountiful harvest. Here’s how you can keep your spuds thriving:
- Sunlight Needs
To flourish, potatoes need about six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Start them off right by chitting your potatoes in a bright, cool spot that’s free from frost. Look for tiny green shoots, which are your cue that they’re ready to plant.
- Soil and pH
Use a well-draining soil enriched with organic compost to promote healthy growth. The ideal pH for your potato soil should be between 5.2 and 6.0, creating the perfect environment for your tubers to develop.
- Fertilization Tactics
Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, as these encourage foliage rather than tubers. Instead, opt for a balanced approach with organic liquid fertilizers like fish or kelp emulsion every couple of weeks.
If you’re using pelleted potato feed, look for an NPK ratio where potassium is 10 or higher to encourage tuber development. Remember, too much nitrogen can lead to lush leaves but fewer potatoes.
- Watering Requirements
Container potatoes can’t reach for water like ground-grown ones, so regular watering is crucial. Aim to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, providing 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Once the leaves start to yellow and die back, reduce watering to prevent rot.
- Temperature and Hilling
Potatoes thrive in cooler conditions, ideally between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during growth phases. As your plants grow, hill the soil around them when they reach about 6 inches tall. This process helps protect the developing spuds from sunlight and promotes further growth. Keep hilling periodically until the soil reaches the top of the container.
Harvesting Potatoes from Containers
Ready to dig into some fresh, home-grown potatoes? You can start checking for readiness as soon as your potato plants flower, typically in the middle to later part of summer. This usually happens around three to four months after you’ve planted them. For a small harvest, simply reach into your containers and gently pull out the largest tubers you can find.
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As the season transitions from summer to fall, you’ll notice the potato plants’ leaves and stems turning yellow—this is your cue that the full harvest time is approaching. To prepare, stop watering the plants about two weeks before you plan to harvest, allowing the foliage to die back and the soil to dry.
It might be tricky to gauge the size of the potatoes from above the soil, so don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty! Feel around in the soil and pull out any tubers that feel as big as a hen’s egg, or leave them a bit longer if you prefer larger potatoes. When nearly all the foliage has withered, it’s the perfect time to empty out your container and collect all the potatoes.
Credit: Gardener’s PathFor those eager to taste the fruits of their labor right away, you can harvest “new” potatoes early in the season. These smaller, tender potatoes are incredibly tasty and can be dug up gently without disturbing the plant too much. Remember not to use sharp tools which could damage the tubers.
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If you prefer to wait, you can harvest your entire crop in one go by waiting until the plant completely dies back in the fall or after the first frost. For an easier harvest, tip the entire container onto a plastic tarp; this method makes it simpler to collect the potatoes without much digging.
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After harvesting, give the potatoes some time to cure. Lay them out in the sun for a few hours, then move them to a cool, dark spot for a few days to harden off. This step is crucial for storage—cured potatoes can be kept in a cool, dark place like a basement or root cellar, where they’ll stay good for a long time.
And remember, handle your potatoes gently as they can bruise easily. Avoid washing them until you’re ready to use them to prevent spoilage. Just brush off the soil and store them properly.
Home-grown potatoes are a treat, far surpassing what you find at the store in both flavor and texture. Serve them hot with a touch of butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley from your garden for a truly delicious meal. Enjoy the fruits of your minimal labor—they’re definitely worth it!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How quickly do potatoes mature when grown in containers?
Potatoes typically mature between 70 and 120 days after planting. However, the time can vary based on the variety. For instance, some early-maturing types might be ready in just 60 days, while late bloomers could take up to 140 days.
- Can I use store-bought potatoes for planting?
Yes, you can grow potatoes using ones purchased from a store, but it’s important to select the right kind. Opt for organic or untreated potatoes, making sure they are firm and healthy without any rot or damage. Avoid those treated with sprout inhibitors to ensure they can grow.
- What’s the average yield from one potato plant?
A single potato plant usually produces about 5 to 10 potatoes. This yield can vary significantly based on the potato variety, growing conditions, and how much care you give your plants.
- How many potatoes can I expect from a container?
While you might not harvest as many potatoes from a container as from the ground, you can generally expect to gather between 2 to 4 pounds of potatoes per container. The larger your container, the more potatoes you’re likely to harvest.
- What happens if I plant potatoes too close together in a container?
If potatoes are planted too close, they’ll still grow, but the harvest might be smaller. Crowded plants compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients, which can affect their growth and potato production.
- Is it okay to eat green potatoes from my container garden?
Green potatoes have been exposed to too much sunlight, causing them to produce solanine, a mildly toxic, bitter chemical. Eating green potatoes can lead to stomach upset, so it’s best to cut away the green parts or avoid eating them altogether.
- What should I do with seed potatoes that have long white shoots?
If your seed potatoes have developed long shoots, simply snap them off and re-chit them. This usually happens when potatoes are kept in warm, dark conditions – exactly what you want to avoid for proper chitting as they’re seeking light.
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