Grow sacks for spuds

Jolaaled

I want to grow my spuds this year, in sacks, so that I can use my available space a bit better...thinking I'll put them around the edge of the patio.

The price of the potato grow bags is crazy and I really want to try and make my own cheaply.
Does anyone know where i can get the woven canvas-style polypropylene sheeting from, or maybe hessian sacking?

I had a quick look on ebay, but it's still quite pricey.

thanks all

tanith

You can use old compost bags I save them when I have to buy some for pots etc then put my potatoes in them , I roll them down till they are about a foot high plant the pots in the bottom and then gradually fill up as they grow and roll the bag up to accommadate the added soil.. free growing sacks lol (put a few holes around the bottom)

edit: if you don't want the outside of the bag to show then just turn them inside out and they are black and don't notice so much

Sally_A

You are better off buying cheap bags of multi purpose compost, emptying the bags, roll down the sides, plant the spuds, and refilling as the spuds need earthing up.

Edit: Tanith beat me to a reply - I'd also go with turning them inside out, as the black outer layer will absorb warmth. Just remember to keep them watered.

Radish72

My friend used the Hessian bags for life from a supermarket, spud grew fine

Jolaaled

Sally_A wrote: »

You are better off buying cheap bags of multi purpose compost, emptying the bags, roll down the sides, plant the spuds, and refilling as the spuds need earthing up.

Edit: Tanith beat me to a reply - I'd also go with turning them inside out, as the black outer layer will absorb warmth. Just remember to keep them watered.

tanith wrote: »

You can use old compost bags I save them when I have to buy some for pots etc then put my potatoes in them , I roll them down till they are about a foot high plant the pots in the bottom and then gradually fill up as they grow and roll the bag up to accommadate the added soil.. free growing sacks lol (put a few holes around the bottom)

edit: if you don't want the outside of the bag to show then just turn them inside out and they are black and don't notice so much

Thanks for the tips...I have never actually bought compost, as have always used what my own compost heap produces..however, you've got me thinking...I do have a few large sacks that i had coal delivered in...they'd do nicely

thanks for the ideas! GREAT

Guinea_2

Radish72 wrote: »

My friend used the Hessian bags for life from a supermarket, spud grew fine

Really?! Wow! I am going to steal this idea and use it this year! By the way...when should we be planting our potatoes? Thanks!:o

Jolaaled

Radish72 wrote: »

My friend used the Hessian bags for life from a supermarket, spud grew fine

That's an idea!...except that I've set myself the challenge of not crossing the threshold of TESCO for a whole month.....(as per the Old-Style board challenge). But i'm wondering if there's a wholesaler somewhere who may sell 'em cheaply.

thanks!

Yorkie1

Guinea wrote: »

Really?! Wow! I am going to steal this idea and use it this year! By the way...when should we be planting our potatoes? Thanks!:o

Traditionally it's Good Friday - which basically means any time from early/mid March until end April. It will depend partly on where you are in the country, and what the weather / soil conditions are like.

TravellingAbuela

I have always used the Poundland collapsible garden waste bags for my potatoes, as per a suggestion on here some years back. Just remember to poke a few holes in the bottom! (I also have some in permanent use with strawberry plants in.)

SailorSam

My neighbours have just had an extension built and they had loads of these bags that sand etc was delivered in. I thought they were sent back and reused but apparently it's not allowed anymore so they're dumped. I took a few to do raised beds, they were glad to get rid of them, i even got some of the soil they'd dug up for the foundations.
Suggest you have a walk around your neighbourhood and see if you can get any of these for free from any builders.

Jolaaled

SailorSam wrote: »

My neighbours have just had an extension built and they had loads of these bags that sand etc was delivered in. I thought they were sent back and reused but apparently it's not allowed anymore so they're dumped. I took a few to do raised beds, they were glad to get rid of them, i even got some of the soil they'd dug up for the foundations.
Suggest you have a walk around your neighbourhood and see if you can get any of these for free from any builders.

Excellent idea, SailorSam. Will have a scout around the neighbourhood!
thanks