How to grow potatoes in a bag ?

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Permalink Reply by Michelle W. Flannery on June 4, 2009 at 6:05am

Hello Muriel. Welcome to KGI. There was a forum discussion on this very topic just last month. I was just reviewing it, and there may not be adequate information there to answer your questions, but this new discussion might offer some more specific results. I had wanted to grow potatoes in bags this year, but many projects kept me from accomplishing that one. I'll do a little research myself and let you know what I find. In the meantime, here is a link to the former discussion, added by KGI member, Melissa. You might contact her and ask how her potatoes are doing:
http://my.kitchengardeners.org/forum/topics/growing-potatoes-questions

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Fletcher on June 4, 2009 at 6:48am

Muriel
I tried growing potatoes in a container, but without success. You have to make sure they are not short of water when the potatoes begin to form.
I would suggest you use a compost bag or similar, that is taller than it is wide. It must not allow light through. Stand the bag in a waterproof tray. Maybe put gravel or sand in the tray. Roll the top of the bag down until it is about 18" [450mm] high. Puncture the bottom of the bag for drainage. Fill this with compost and plant maybe one or two potatoes in the bag. As the potatoes grow roll up the bag and keep adding further compost to hide the stem of the plant.
For new potatoes just reach down into the compost to pick a few, allowing the plant to keep growing
You can buy specific octagonal containers for growing potatoes in. These slide up to allow access for picking.
Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle W. Flannery on June 4, 2009 at 7:22am

Glenn, the method you describe is the one I had wanted to use this year. Just plant them in a bag in compost and add more as they grow. I've been reading that potatoes can be grown during the winter under certain conditions, so I am hoping to try it this fall. Perhaps here in the southern US it can be done successfully - in the ground, or maybe even in a bag. I know, I know... don't let the soil freeze!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin W. on June 4, 2009 at 4:14pm

I used this method last year, but used big rubbermaid bins instead of bags. I drilled holes in the bottom for drainage, added a few inches of compost, planted the potatoes, and added more compost as the plants grew. Other than the beetle invasion it went well, and I got quite a few small potatoes. I think I would have had larger potatoes, but started them a bit late. It was a fun way to grow them without taking up space in my garden beds.

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Permalink Reply by Muriel Giraid on June 9, 2009 at 2:51am

Thanks very much for your answer. I'll try this (if it's not too late in the season!)

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Permalink Reply by Gary Gill on June 5, 2009 at 9:02am

Ah, Nice. Visited a few times while in the military.

The big thing is how big is your balcony? What is the sun like? Is it a very solid balcony?

The bag technique would be the better bet but I would use a good soil in the bottom but then use something light and lofty for filler. Maybe use straw or something simular as the plant grows and you roll the bag up.

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Fletcher on June 6, 2009 at 3:49am

Michelle
The problem i have had with growing potatoes in winter is light. I always end up with drawn, spindly, sickly things that never really produce the goods. I always fancied picking new potatoes for Christmas dinner, but have not managed it yet.
There is a method i have seen somewhere for storing new potatoes in the ground in a tin box. I might try that this year.

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