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

dancinghomer

Hi

I have an old plastic bin; is it possible to fill it full of soil/feed etc and grow potatoes in it?
I'm sure I've seen a potatoe barrel advertised somewhere and wondered how easy it would be to adapt something.


Homer

Sue-UU

Hi Homer,

My uncle used to grow potatoes in a bucket so I'd imagine there's no reason why you couldn't do so in a bin. From what I can remember he used to plant them in the same way you would if you were putting them in the ground. Whatever he did he was always very happy with his crop each year!

No doubt someone else will come on with more detail for you, if you need it. Good luck if you try it, Sue.

alanobrien

Yes, i use two bins for this purpose every year. Just make sure their is plenty of drainage in the bottom, put in no more than 5 seed spuds, cover up and contunue to cover as new green growth appears above the surface of the compost.
Continue this process until the bin is full, then empty the bin to harvest the spuds at the appropriate time. I usually do first earlies then a crop for xmas

Newgirl_2

I've even grown them in an empty compost bag. Anything will work as long as it holds them (strong) and is dark

Newgirl

lynseydee

Hi Homer

I grew some potatoes in some plastic barrels that are about 2ft tall. I got some potatoes out of them but they were quite small. I think this might have been due to the fact I put too many seed potatoes in them. I might try again this year but put less in them.

Just put some compost in the bottom of the bin, put your seed potatoes on top and cover with more soil. Once they start showing their greenery cover with more compost to encourage more potatoes.

I know different types of potatoes need planting and harvesting at different times, which I'm not an expert on, but I'm sure someone will come along that will be able to tell you.

I planted desiree potatoes last year and I know a friend of ours told me to wait until the foliage had died back before harvesting them.

tru

It's easier to have the bins upside-down

Cut the bottoms off, then put the bins upside-down, throw the seed potatoes in then keep covering as they grow, as normal. When the potatoes are ready, just slide the bin up and off. Much easier

Mummy2Two_3

Hi

Ok im going to be growing potatoes this year in containers and bags but being a complete begginer i was wondering what soil/compost i should use?

Can you just use a bag of anything? lol

....see i told you im a beginner:o

Thanks

bella165

hiya there is no rule on what type of soil to use,but as your growing in pots ect,i would make sure there are plenty of drainage holes and then place scrunched up newspaper on the bottom then 1/2fill the pot with soil plant ya spuds (dont over crowd them)then cover leave a small space at the top,so you can earth them up
:-)happy growing

liverpooleo

Hi
I work in a supermarket, and we were given freebie potatoes (old dates), which I've heard you can use to grow more? Also, can I ask what you do to 'earth them up'.....................I'm another beginner:o

alanobrien

liverpooleo wrote: »

Hi
I work in a supermarket, and we were given freebie potatoes (old dates), which I've heard you can use to grow more? Also, can I ask what you do to 'earth them up'.....................I'm another beginner:o

If they are growing shoots then chances are they are ok to use for planting.
Earthing up means covering the leaves as they appear. In this way you increase the soil depth for the plant to make more spuds.