Guide on Potato Cultivation in a Container
Grow Those Taters in a Pot!
Fancy growing taters but short on space? No worries, mate! potatoes thrive in pots, perfect for balconies or small yards. You can even dish up those darn spuds on a bloomin' patio.
Potato Pot-ting
First early and second early taters are the stars of the show here. They grow rapidly, and since they're in high demand, you'll be a garden guru in no time.
Let's Get This Tater Tot Party Started!
Grab a large pot with decent drainage - a dustbin or an old plastic pot that's at least 40 litres is purr-fect. Find a sunny, frost-free spot for your vessel, then load it with 10cm of peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Nestle three to five chitted seed taters a hand's width apart on top, then cover 'em up with 8-10cm of compost and water well.
When the shoots sprout and reach 8cm, dust more compost on 'em. Keep going till you hit the top of the pot. When the flowers start to bloom, the potatoes are ready to go! Simply tip the container to find your harvest.
- Score sweet potato bags from Suttons, Dobies, Thompson & Morgan and Crocus
Essential Kit
- Chitted seed taters
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Well-rotted manure or garden compost
- Large pot
- Watering can
Total time: 1 hour
Step 1
Cover the pot bottom with a 10cm layer of compost, followed by four chitted taters on the surface. Cover once more with a layer of compost mix and water well.
FYI: For top-notch, disease-free taters, consider using certified seed taters, says the National Gardening Association.
Step 2
Pop those bags in a sunny spot with shelter for at least half the day. Keep the compost moist, and when shoots reach 15-20cm, cover with more compost, going up to the tips. Water thoroughly and keep adding compost as the stems grow.
Step 3
Water regularly during the growing season. Potatoes love a good drink, so keep the compost moist but not soggy. Steer clear of using rainwater from a butt in the summer, as it might contain blight spores. Soak the pot thoroughly every 2 or 3 days, allowing the compost to dry out between watering for steady tuber growth.
[1] Gardener's Supply Company. (2021). Gardening basics: How to grow potatoes in containers. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/grow-potatoes-in-containers/5121.html
[2] The Spruce. (2021). How to grow potatoes in pots or containers. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/growing-potatoes-in-pots-or-containers-1900179
[3] Bonnie Plants. (2021). Growing potatoes in containers. [online] Available at: https://www.bonnieplants.com/bee-phyto/grow/grow-potatoes-in-containers/
[4] The Oregonian. (2018). How to grow potatoes in containers. [online] Available at: https://www.oregonlive.com/outdoors/2018/06/how_to_grow_potatoes_in_contrib.html
[5] Gardening Know How. (2021). Potato planting in containers. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/potato-planting-in-containers.htm
Nestle your chitted seed potatoes in the multi-purpose, peat-free compost of your large pot, following a layering system of compost and seed potatoes. When the tender potato shoots reach 8cm, continue adding compost to ensure they grow strong and healthy, ready for harvest.
Home gardening enthusiasts and lifestyle aficionados can enrich their home-and-garden experiences with the quick growth and bountiful harvest of container-grown potatoes, making for a delightful home-grown addition to any meal.
