Tatties in Containers

[HayleyB]

Hi all

Because I've always had a dicky back, which is quickly being followed by other joints in my bod, I am considering tatties in bags. Unfortunately at £9.95 for three bags the Marshalls option is not one (an option that is). I have looked on the net but not come up with anything as yet. Has anyone got any ideas of an economical solution?

I was considering Pink Fir and Sante but am possibly going to change that to Charlotte and Maris Piper. How big would the container need to be to hold 4 maincrop plants?

Bear in mind that I am aiming at getting 2kg of each potato.

All advice would be very much appreciated.
H

[burnie]

Have a look at Kays Discount Garden Supplies - N A Kays Horticulture they may have something like rubble sacks etc.

[Rocketron]

I use compost bags, 2 spuds per bag.

[gojiberry]

I know that the Marshalls bags sound expensive but they are robust and will last a very long time thus making them economical in the long term. I bought some cheap rubbish collection garden bags 2 years ago and they have started falling apart already whereas the Marshalls bags from 3 years ago look as good as new.

Ian

[markwcel]

builders rubble sacks from B&Q/Focus...£2 or £3 for 8...lasts ages...just remember to put holes in the bottom

[Suechooks]

Hi all

Because I've always had a dicky back, which is quickly being followed by other joints in my bod, I am considering tatties in bags. Unfortunately at £9.95 for three bags the Marshalls option is not one (an option that is). I have looked on the net but not come up with anything as yet. Has anyone got any ideas of an economical solution?

I was considering Pink Fir and Sante but am possibly going to change that to Charlotte and Maris Piper. How big would the container need to be to hold 4 maincrop plants?

Bear in mind that I am aiming at getting 2kg of each potato.

All advice would be very much appreciated.
H

How about tyres? They are FREE from garages and recommended for growing potatoes by Bob Flowerdew no less! You put 1 tyre full of compost to cover seed potatoes then as they sprout instead of earthing up you put another tyre on top with a covering of earth or compost and just keep topping up. I've tried it out versus a potato barrel, a dustbin and bags and the tyres came up with the best crop. I find Charlotte really good in them. Haven't done maincrop but no reason why not. To harvest you just remove the tyre and out tumble the spuds! Easy-peasy!

[kitchengardner]

Hi all

Because I've always had a dicky back, which is quickly being followed by other joints in my bod, I am considering tatties in bags. Unfortunately at £9.95 for three bags the Marshalls option is not one (an option that is). I have looked on the net but not come up with anything as yet. Has anyone got any ideas of an economical solution?

I was considering Pink Fir and Sante but am possibly going to change that to Charlotte and Maris Piper. How big would the container need to be to hold 4 maincrop plants?

Bear in mind that I am aiming at getting 2kg of each potato.

All advice would be very much appreciated.
H

Rubble sacks are great and will hold 2 -3 plants, just ensure you make a lot of drainage holes. Just be wary with maincrop as potatoes grown this way are more prone to blight

Regards

Kitchen Gardener

[Beetroot Bob]

The postie delivered a load of tinternet shopped crimbo prezys today in a mail sack. I was thinkign it may make a good spud growing bag anybody tried them ?

[Jimmy]

The big compost bags are the best cheapest bet.
Or even bin bags if you have no compost bags. They are flimsy so perhaps one inside the other.

With compost bags put 12" in bottom and roll bag down to about 6" above soil.
Plant 5 spuds in the bag, one in the middle. Water well. Then as the spuds grow keep adding compost and rolling the bag up. Keep going to about 24 to 30 " of compost. Then let tops grow normally.
You must water them well and regularly cause they dry out very quickly, particularly when tops get well developed and sun is out.
Also feed, I do mine ever other day or when I can remember.

PS put them in there growing place before you first water them in, easier on the back.

Jim

[Jimmy]

When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!" Brian O'Rourke

Don't know about you but you would certainly get locked up with some of my dreams ?

[maytreefrannie]

What about old coal/block bags? The ones I have are a type of plastic weave - does anyone know if these would suit for spuds?

[Jimmy]

Sounds OK as long as they drain out the bottom.
Generally the three requirements are
Large enough
Dark enough
Drains well.

[HayleyB]

Thanks for the tips guys, I have found on B*Q green or black, garden tidy, polyprop bags that are perfect, look similar to the Marshalls bags but they're on sale at £3.48. There probably a tidier option as they will be living in the driveway.