How To Grow Potatoes In Containers

Imagine digging into the earth and unearthing a treasure of fresh, homegrown potatoes, all without needing a big garden! Growing potatoes in containers is a fantastic way to enjoy these versatile vegetables, even if you only have a balcony, patio, or small yard. It’s easy, fun, and incredibly rewarding.

Quick Answer: You can grow potatoes in containers like pots, buckets, or even grow bags. Choose a sunny spot, use well-draining soil, and "hill" the potatoes as they grow by adding more soil. Water regularly and harvest when the plants flower or the foliage dies back.

Why Grow Potatoes in Containers?

Growing potatoes in containers offers several advantages over traditional gardening:

Space-Saving: Perfect for small spaces like apartments, balconies, and patios.

Control: Easier to control soil quality, watering, and pest management.

Mobility: Containers can be moved to different locations based on sunlight or weather conditions.

Harvesting Fun: Digging into a container to unearth your potato harvest is like finding buried treasure!

Easy to Grow: Potatoes are relatively easy to grow and rewarding for beginners.

Choosing the Right Container

The size and type of container you choose are crucial for successful potato growing.

Container Size

Minimum Size: Aim for a container that is at least 10 gallons in size. A 20-gallon container is even better, especially for larger potato varieties.

Diameter: A good diameter is around 18-24 inches.

Depth: The container should be at least 12 inches deep, preferably deeper.

Container Types

Plastic Pots: Affordable and readily available, but choose dark-colored pots to keep the soil cooler.

Grow Bags: Made from fabric, these bags provide excellent drainage and aeration. They also allow the roots to "air prune," which encourages more potato production.

Buckets: Recycling large buckets (like those from construction or food service) is an eco-friendly option. Make sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom.

Trash Cans: Large trash cans can work well for a substantial potato crop, but ensure they are clean and have drainage.

Specialized Potato Pots: Some pots are designed specifically for growing potatoes, often with a removable panel at the bottom for easy harvesting.

Drainage is Key

No matter what type of container you choose, drainage is essential. Potatoes need well-draining soil to prevent rot.

Drainage Holes: Ensure your container has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom.

Gravel Layer (Optional): Some gardeners add a layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom of the container to improve drainage, but this isn’t always necessary if your soil is well-draining.

Selecting Potato Varieties

Choosing the right potato variety for container growing is important.

Types of Potatoes

Early Potatoes (New Potatoes): These potatoes mature quickly (60-80 days) and are great for enjoying fresh. Examples include ‘Yukon Gold,’ ‘Irish Cobbler,’ and ‘Red Norland.’

Mid-Season Potatoes: These potatoes take a bit longer to mature (80-100 days) and offer a good balance of size and flavor. Examples include ‘Kennebec’ and ‘All Blue.’

Late-Season Potatoes: These potatoes take the longest to mature (100-120 days) and are often best for storing. Examples include ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘ fingerling varieties.

Best Varieties for Containers

Yukon Gold: A popular choice with creamy yellow flesh and a buttery flavor.

Red Norland: A classic red potato with a smooth texture.

Irish Cobbler: An early-season potato with a slightly nutty flavor.

Fingerling Potatoes: These small, elongated potatoes are fun to grow and have a unique flavor. ‘Russian Banana’ is a popular variety.

‘Charlotte’: A firm cooking variety with a superb flavor.

Consider the size of your container when choosing a variety. Smaller varieties may be better suited for smaller containers.

Preparing the Soil

Potatoes need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to thrive.

Soil Mix

Ideal Mix: A good soil mix consists of equal parts:
- Potting soil (not garden soil, which can compact too much)
- Compost (for nutrients and drainage)
- Peat moss or coco coir (to retain moisture)

pH Level: Potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of around 6.0 to 6.5.

Avoid Clay Soil: Clay soil retains too much water and can cause the potatoes to rot.

Amendments: Consider adding slow-release fertilizer to the soil mix to provide a steady supply of nutrients.

Drainage Considerations

Perlite or Vermiculite: Adding perlite or vermiculite to the soil mix can improve drainage and aeration.

Avoid Overwatering: Overwatering is a common mistake when growing potatoes in containers. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.

Planting Seed Potatoes

Seed potatoes are not seeds but rather small pieces of potato with "eyes" (buds) that will sprout into new plants.

Getting Seed Potatoes

Certified Seed Potatoes: Purchase certified seed potatoes from a reputable garden center or online supplier. These potatoes are disease-free and specifically grown for planting.

Avoid Grocery Store Potatoes: Grocery store potatoes may be treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting and may carry diseases.

Chitting (Sprouting): A week or two before planting, place the seed potatoes in a cool, bright location to encourage sprouting. This gives them a head start.

Cutting Seed Potatoes

Size Matters: Cut the seed potatoes into pieces that are about 2 inches square, with at least one or two "eyes" per piece.

Curing: After cutting, allow the seed potato pieces to "cure" for a few days. This means letting the cut surfaces dry out, which helps prevent rot.

Dust with Sulfur (Optional): Some gardeners dust the cut surfaces with sulfur powder to further prevent rot.

Planting Process

Fill the Container: Fill the container with about 4-6 inches of the prepared soil mix.

Place the Seed Potatoes: Place the seed potato pieces on top of the soil, with the "eyes" facing up. Space them evenly if you are planting multiple pieces in one container.

Cover with Soil: Cover the seed potato pieces with another 4-6 inches of soil.

Water Gently: Water the soil gently until it is moist but not soggy.

Caring for Your Potato Plants

Proper care is essential for a bountiful potato harvest.

Sunlight

Full Sun: Potatoes need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

Move Containers: If your location doesn’t provide enough sunlight, consider moving the containers to a sunnier spot.

Watering

Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Check Soil Moisture: Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil. If the top inch or two feels dry, it’s time to water.

Avoid Overwatering: Overwatering can lead to rot.

Fertilizing

Regular Feeding: Potatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization.

Balanced Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) or a fertilizer specifically formulated for vegetables.

Liquid Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizers are easy to apply and provide nutrients quickly.

Slow-Release Fertilizer: Incorporating slow-release fertilizer into the soil mix at planting can provide a steady supply of nutrients.

Hilling Potatoes

"Hilling" is the process of adding more soil around the potato plants as they grow. This encourages the plants to produce more potatoes along the buried stem.

When to Hill: When the potato plants reach about 6-8 inches tall, add more soil to the container, covering the stems up to the lowest leaves.

Repeat: Repeat this process every few weeks as the plants grow, until the container is nearly full.

Benefits of Hilling: Hilling provides more space for potatoes to develop and protects them from sunlight, which can cause them to turn green and produce a toxic substance called solanine.

Pest and Disease Control

Common Pests: Common potato pests include aphids, potato beetles, and flea beetles.

Organic Pest Control: Use organic pest control methods like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or hand-picking pests.

Disease Prevention: Prevent diseases by using disease-free seed potatoes, providing good drainage, and avoiding overwatering.

Crop Rotation: If you grow potatoes in the same containers year after year, consider rotating them with other crops to prevent soilborne diseases.

Harvesting Your Potato Crop

Harvesting is the most rewarding part of growing potatoes in containers.

When to Harvest

Early Potatoes: Early potatoes can be harvested when the plants flower, about 60-80 days after planting. The potatoes will be small and tender.

Mature Potatoes: Mature potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage starts to die back, about 80-120 days after planting. The skins will be thicker.

Test Harvest: To check if the potatoes are ready, dig around in the soil and pull out a few potatoes. If they are the size you want and the skins are firm, it’s time to harvest.

Harvesting Techniques

Gently Dig: Gently dig around the potato plants with your hands or a small trowel to avoid damaging the potatoes.

Dump the Container: You can also dump the entire contents of the container onto a tarp and sort through the soil to find the potatoes.

Carefully Remove: Carefully remove the potatoes from the soil, being careful not to bruise or cut them.

Storing Potatoes

Curing: Before storing, cure the potatoes by spreading them out in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for a week or two. This allows the skins to harden and helps prevent rot.

Storage Conditions: Store potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place with good ventilation. A temperature of around 40-50°F (4-10°C) is ideal.

Avoid Sunlight: Avoid storing potatoes in sunlight, as this can cause them to turn green and produce solanine.

Storage Duration: Properly stored potatoes can last for several months.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Green Potatoes: Green potatoes contain solanine, which is toxic. Discard any green potatoes. This usually happens when potatoes are exposed to sunlight.

Rotting Potatoes: Rotting potatoes are usually caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure your container has good drainage and avoid overwatering.

Small Potatoes: Small potatoes can be caused by overcrowding, lack of nutrients, or premature harvesting. Thin out the plants if necessary and fertilize regularly.

Pests and Diseases: Monitor your plants regularly for pests and diseases and take action promptly to prevent them from spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I grow potatoes in bags?
Yes, grow bags are an excellent option for growing potatoes. They provide good drainage and aeration.

How many seed potatoes should I plant in one container?
For a 10-gallon container, plant one or two seed potato pieces. For a larger container, you can plant more, spacing them about 10-12 inches apart.

Do I need to use special soil for potatoes?
No, you don’t need special soil, but it should be well-draining and nutrient-rich. A mix of potting soil, compost, and peat moss or coco coir works well.

How often should I water my potato plants?
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Check the soil moisture regularly and water when the top inch or two feels dry.

Why are my potato plants not producing potatoes?
Possible reasons include lack of sunlight, poor soil, insufficient watering, or pest/disease problems. Make sure your plants are getting enough sunlight, water, and nutrients, and monitor them for pests and diseases.

Can I reuse the soil from my potato container?
Yes, but it’s best to amend it with fresh compost or fertilizer to replenish the nutrients. Also, if you had any disease problems, it’s best to use fresh soil.

Conclusion

Growing potatoes in containers is a fun, easy, and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, homegrown potatoes, even without a traditional garden. By choosing the right container, soil, and potato variety, and by providing proper care, you can harvest a bountiful crop of delicious potatoes. So, grab a container, some seed potatoes, and get ready to experience the joy of growing your own "buried treasure!"