growing potatoes in an empty compost bag? (Merged Thread)

hardpressed

I accidentally grew some last year from a few potatoes that I'd thrown in the compost bin, more by luck than judgement. The leaves grew out through the holes in the side of the bin.

Lord_Gardener

Yes, as long as you're not composting at the same time - we use an old plastic dustbin to grow spuds in! Remember to gradually mound up as the plants grow and to water.

arkonite_babe

Have a look at the growing potatoes in tubs thread for more tips

npsmama

How many spuds should I plant if I use the compost bag method and hope to have enough for about 6 servings a week?

I guess I would need to plant some every 2 weeks or so, is that right?

Thanks for any help!

angie_loves_veg

hmmmm... bit late for planting pots, but you could get a crop if you plant them now.

From last years experience growing in large containers, I got approx 2lb pots per tuber.

This could help you calculate how many you need to plant, but you would have to plant them all now, and store them for use after the harvest.

mjr600

Its not too late to plant potatoes, you can plant them right up to Sept/Oct all that happens is that they crop later. A planting in Sept/Oct can give something to eat at Christmas.

katskorner

Yep this is true. I have dug up new potatoes on Christmas Eve last year and they were stunning.

I am planning to save some of the first earlies that I will harvest in a month or so and replant them for a Christmas crop.

So put a few tubers in and let them grow.

caleyles

I was hoping to try and grow some vegetables in containers in our fairly small back garden - partly for us but also to let the kids see where veg comes from - I was hoping to grow some tatties in tubs/bags? Any advice on cheap containers for this would be appreciated also when is the best time to plant etc bearing in mind I'm in the North of Scotland

Thanks in anticipation

takoo

Hi Caleyles

For many years our street has an annual potato competition.

We have used a variety of containers. Examples are:

1. stacked tyres added as the potato grows
2. very very large flower pots
3. gash boards nailed into a large box.

Prize day commences at 9am with digging up and weighing each crop. The record is about 38 pounds!! We finish with a party and a handing out of prizes.

You need to Chitty them but I am in the south east region - In Scotland I would plant them in land which has had carpets previously laid down as insulation. When the sun (if) comes out put black polythene down to catch the warmth.

After planting the chitties replace the black polythene until they begin to poke through the surface - (or make holes for the plants to come through)

Have a great eating 2008 (I love Scullen Skink)

Takoo

PS I am no expert but have won a prize - the carved wooden spoon for the smallest crop!!
.

Frugaldom

Brand new to this game, cheated by eating all the potatoes that were growing in the new garden when I moved house a few months ago Now I need to learn to grow them myself. First question, what are 'chitties'?