Bags for growing potatoes

comeandgo

Hi. I have been looking at growing potatoes in bags and wondered if any one has used the supermarket large shopping bags, not the 10 p ones but the more superior £1 ones.  They are plastic and I had thought of putting lots of holes in the bags, or are there other options?  I was looking at proper bags on Amazon but they seemed rather expensive.

twopenny

I've seen potato bags for£1 in poundland and local diy shops.

You can use almost anything as long as there is drainage and you water.

The supermarket ones may be glued rather than stitched and would come apart at the seams when watered. I've had more expensive ones that do that.

Katiehound

can you not just grow potatoes in a very strong black bin bag? Never done it, but I feel sure I have read about it.

RAS

Whatever you use has to be light proof, otherwise you will get green potatoes. Maybe a bin liner in semi-rigid container?

comeandgo

Katiehound said:

can you not just grow potatoes in a very strong black bin bag? Never done it, but I feel sure I have read about it.

I would have thought anything pure plastic and the vegs would sweat and go rotten?  

Daisymaisy

Try using empty compost bags.  If you don't have any ask on freecycle etc.

comeandgo

Daisymaisy said:

Try using empty compost bags.  If you don't have any ask on freecycle etc.

Do they work?  I thought pure plastic bags not so good?

Daisymaisy

comeandgo said:

Daisymaisy said:

Try using empty compost bags.  If you don't have any ask on freecycle etc.

Do they work?  I thought pure plastic bags not so good?

Yes, it does work as long as you make some drainage holes.  The compost bags are durable, and with care should last a few seasons. RAS makes a good point regarding light turning the tubers green, compost bags are normally black inside and will also prevent light getting to the tubers and turning them green.  

twopenny

Yes, work someone used any old thing handy that was lightproof with good results.
The advantage of bin bags or compost bags is that being tall you can add compost repeatedly to get more potatoes from one tuber.

Katiehound

I did not say, assumed it would be taken as read that ,of course ,the bag needs to have drainage holes!