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

teapot2

wurzelsar wrote:

I've grown potatoes like this for years. We get beautiful new potatoes earlier than any grown in the garden because I put the bags ( and you can use large pots) in the greenhouse or somewhere sheltered.

I put a mixture of soil and compost. Fill the bag about a third full and plant the potato tubers. chit them first if you can but I haven't always done this. As they grow in the bags, "earth up " the plants. More or less cover them with more soil/compost. This protects the stems from frost and encourages them to produce more roots and spuds. Carry on earthing them up until you've fillied the bag. Keep well watered and don't allow them to dry out ( but don't over water them - make sure you have enough drainage holes in the bottom of the bags.

To find out if you have spuds ready for picking, gently delve your hand into the compost towards the bottom of the bag.

thanks for the info everyone - Wurzelsar & also Troll35 I have empty 75litre compost bags [will turn them inside out] - how many seed potatoes to put in such a sized bag do you reckon?

Decided against tyres as have a small garden and didn't really want to be looking out of the window at towers of tyres. Looking forward to getting going now and will look for some seed tatties soon :beer: :j

We need some vegetable smilies!!!!

Thanks Teapot

wurzelsar

Depending on the size of the bag, I put 1 to 3 tubers in each one.

I've also grown a couple of spare tubers in an upended growbag, though watch it doesn't get too waterlogged as it's a heavier compost. Make sure there are enough drainage holes.

I've seen spuds grown in black poly pots that are about 8 inches in diameter. It doesn't sound very big but you get a nice crop in it from one tuber.

In a 75 litre bag, I would put 3 tubers in, although I know some people would put 2 or even 4.

Kazonline

I've kept an old plastic dustbin for growing spuds this year. Can anyone please tell me how many I should plant in this - and any ideas as to how much the average seed potato provides? How deep should I make the soil in the bin before planting them - is it the same as for the compost bag?
Also what are the basics the potato needs? Feed, watering, warmth and light wise.
I'd really appreciate any info anyone can provide on growing potatoes in containers. Thanks
Kaz x

Linda32

Hi Kaz,

You will need some drainage holes in the bottom of the bin, then about a quater fill with compost. Put about 5 tubers in, equally spaced, (could tell you on yeald as I've only grown potatoes once on the lottie)

Then cover with compost to about half way up the bin. Stand in the sun and water every few days if the compost feels dry. You find this out by sticking your fingers in, you'll soon get to know.

Then as the plants grow, lets say when they are about 8" high, you put more compost on top so that the stems have only about 4" showing. Do this until the compost gets to the top.

On the bag it will say what to look out for with the plant or the time to harvest.

When you harvest just tip the dustbin over. Don't eat any which are green.

The reason you keep on filling with compost is that as the potatoes form they come to the top of the soil (same as when you rub in pastry, the big bits come to the top) if you cover with soil then the potatoes are not exposed to the light and won't turn green.

This is called "earthing up"

You can get smaller bags of seed potatoes in wilkinsons for £1.99.

Kazonline

Thank you Linda, five it'll be
I called at a small garden center earlier and they were selling seed potatoes by the KG (£1/Kg) As I woun't be able to grow many I thought this might be the cheapest way for me to start, rather than waste the remainder of a bag.
Is there a variety I could start with that would crop early enough for me to do a second lot in the same barrell(another type)?

Also I know it's been said that the potatoes keep well in the shed etc, but as I struggle to store shop bought spuds without them going wrinkly/seeding can I really hope to store a crop into the winter, or at least Autumn?
I do have an old chest freezer in the shed (unplugged) - would this be any better at storing the spuds?

Kaz x

wurzelsar

Rocket and Concorde are fast growers but most varieties are good if you choose "first earlies".

Store them in paper sacks or large paper bags once harvested, somewhere cool and in the dark or they'll go green.But if you can, leave them in the soil till you use them. As with a previous post on this site, we are also still digging spuds grown last year. Does your shed get hot when the sun is on it?

Ours does, even in the spring and it may be too warm for storing veg.

ellas9602

hello :hello: I bought a small bag of speciality new potatoes from sainsburys (they are all nobbly and were really nice- reduced from £2 to 10p!)and saved a few to grow in pots. They are chitting like mad now is it too early to plant them? I'm in t'North....it's been really mild here this week.

Also where do you all get compost from cheaply? I have made some but it doesn't look very good and I wont have enough for all the veggies I'm growing this year. Can I bulk compost out with garden soil?
Thanks

wurzelsar

Our local civic ammenity site sells sacks of compost but you don't know what's in it. It could be full of weeds! But they are cheap.
From now on there are usually lots of offers on compost, keep an eye out for them. Easter is the busiest time of year at garden centres and they always have offers.

Are the potatoes you've bought called "Anya"?
They are nobbly and have a lovely nutty taste. I grew them 2 years ago and there were masses of potatoes on each plant. If anyone wants a very good crop of salad spuds then I'd recommend these.

I would try planting some now. Somewhere sheltered if you can or be able to protect them if/when bad weather comes. It's supposed to be returning to more windy weather next week and the cold wind could cause damage to plants/ tubers etc.

Do you have a greenhouse/cold frame that you could put pots/sacks in?
Or keep some fleece or plastic handy to throw over in the frost.

ellas9602

Thanks Wurzel

I cant remember the name (at work at the mo) they were nutty though so probably the same. I have quite a few left over so as long as its not a definite no-no to plant now I have nothing to lose really. dont have a g'house/coldframe but I'm looking to purchase a walk in one from argos (£39.99) so may get that this weekend!
I'll shop around for the compost too this weekend, Ive just checked the weather forcast and it looks lovely.

Thanks

wurzelsar

Glad your going to get some nice weather in the north at last!

We're in for a stormy patch next week in the west (again) so I'm putting a hold on planting anything yet.

Before you buy the walk- in greenhouse from Argos, check out Morrisons supermarket if you have one near you. I had one from them about this time last year for £19.99, 6x4ft with a plastic cover.