Potatoes In Planters

[m3bfs]

I've been thinking about growing some potatoes in planters/tubs, getting itchy fingers to get started with something just in case we're still here next summer lol. As i've only ever grown tatties in the allotment (with ex, nearly 10 years ago), how deep would the container have to be and how many seed potatoes would i need per container. Am thinking of using those green square ones from the cheap shops, i think they are about 1ft sq by about 18 inches deep. Can i use seed or potting compost as opposed to soil, don't have access to soil and have a bag of compost already, sat there doing nothing.

thanks


m3bfs

[Two_Sheds]

Hi,
There's been 100s of threads on this topic. Have a go with your Search button. Here's one to get you started http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ers_17155.html

[Alice]

Hello M3bfs, (fascinating name). This is not a good time to plant potatoes - they are not frost hardy. Better to wait until the spring. I start in February but I have a very sheltered south facing position.
Yes you could grow them in the green boxes you are talking about but buckets are cheaper - 99p in B & Q.
You can use compost. Put a few inches of compost in the bottom of the bucket and I mix in some manure of the type that comes in bags. Put in 3 potatoes and cover with a few inches of compost. Some people fill the bucket at this stage but I like to see them coming up.
When the green shoots appear (shaws to me, haulms to you) add more compost over them. Keep filling as the shaws appear intil the bucket is filled to within about 2" from the top. Leave this space for watering. Then just let the potatoes grow on and keep well watered. Don't forget to drill holes in the bucket for drainage.
If you're growing 2nd earlies - things like Charlotte for salad potatoes, they take about 13 weeks to ready. You'll know they're ready when the shaws start to die down. Hope this helps.

[Suechooks]

Try growing them in tyres stacked on top of each other. Put seed pots on few inches soil and cover then as they sprout put more soil on top and then a second tyre etc. I've done it that way and got earlier and more potatoes than any other type of container including barrell and bags!

[Johnny Appleseed]

These instructions / guide may help

GROWING POTATOES IN THE UBBINK BARREL

It is now possible to grow an amazing crop of delicious new potatoes on your patio or balcony. The secret lies in being able to “earth them up” 600mm high, which is impractical in an open garden.

SEED POTATOES

There are literally dozens of varieties, but you will probably want to grow delicious early potatoes. Any of the varieties labelled “early” from your garden centre will be perfect or for a special treat, why not try the delicious “Pink Fir Apple” variety?

Buy your seed potatoes as soon as they come on sale in January or February. Place 5 of them in a dish or egg tray in a cool light place out of direct sun. In a few weeks they will have grown shoots about 25mm long. This “chitting” process is by no means essential but it will certainly give you a bigger crop. Aim to plant your seed potatoes from late February, March or April.

Note:- If you plant your first crop early enough, you can grow a second crop for harvesting in the Autumn. Keep the rest of the seed potatoes in a cool place and replant the whole barrel after you have harvested your first crop. This way you can have new potatoes in the Autumn as well as in the Spring. Any new shoots that have grown too long and spindly can be rubbed off so that new 25mm shoots are produced ready for planting. Always renew the compost for every planting.

CHOOSING A SITE FOR THE BARREL

The advantage of growing potatoes in a tub means that you can start them off indoors, much earlier than outdoor plants. To get really early potatoes, keep the tub indoors, in shed or a greenhouse for the first 2-3 weeks.
Of course, as you keep adding compost the tub will become heavier, so make sure you remove it to its permanent site before it gets too heavy to move.
Alternatively, you can leave it outdoors, but cover the tub with clear polythene to protect the shoots from frost.
The permanent site should be in a sunny but sheltered position.

PLANTING

You will need 80 litres of good general purpose compost. Do not use ordinary garden soil.
Pour 150mm of compost into the bottom of the barrel and with the eyes uppermost, plant the 5 seed potatoes in the barrel. Position one potato in the centre of the barrel and the other 4 in opposite corners. Do not soak the compost at this stage as this will tend to rot the tubers. The compost should be just slightly damp. If the weather is frosty, the shoots should be covered with newspaper to protect them. Remove the newspaper as soon as the danger of frost has passed. When the shoots are 150mm high add a second layer of compost around the plants leaving just the tips showing. Repeat this process in layers of 100mm until the compost and the shoots reach 25mm below the top of the barrel.
As the main stem grows towards the top of the barrel it sends out potato bearing side shoots all the way up which will eventually be crammed with delicious “new” potatoes. The potato foliage will continue to grow until it is 300 – 600 mm above the top of the barrel.

WATERING AND FEEDING

Once the plants are well established the plants will need watering and feeding weekly with a high potash /low nitrogen soluble plant food. A propriety tomato fertiliser is ideal. Do not skimp on the feeding or watering as potatoes are very greedy, especially when confined in a tub.

HARVESTING

Eventually the plants will produce tiny white or pink flowers. Now is the time to check and see if your potatoes are ready to harvest. Lift up the slider using the hand holds provided to reveal the 4 holes in the side of the barrel. The compost will not fall out because the roots by now will be tightly packed together. You will see the potatoes quite clearly and if they are large enough, ease them out with your fingers. Take just enough for the table and close the slider again. The potatoes will keep on growing until you have harvested the whole barrel.

If you follow the instruction carefully, you should grow a bumper crop or two of delicious potatoes in your first season.

Make a note of how many pounds of potatoes you get from your barrel and next season, try to better it.

Compare the yields of different varieties and make a note of your feeding and watering programme.

If you are particularly pleased with your results, why not write and let us know.

Appollo Gardening Ltd
Apollo House,
Neepsend Lane,
Sheffield
S3 8AU

Tel:- 0114 221 5555 Fax:- 0114 221 3444
Email:- info@apollogarden.com


HTH - Johnny

[m3bfs]

thanks everybody for your replies, not been well last couple of days so have so reading to catch up on.

once again thanks

m3bfs

[markwcel]

try planting in cheap rubble sacks from b&q or focus....