Make fencing into round columns, cut PVC pipe to height of column, and drill holes every six inches into pipe all the way around the pipe. Put a plastic bag over one end of the pipe and secure it with a rubber band. This is to keep the water in the pipe so it will flow outward through the holes.
Line the bottom and sides with straw. Then add compost, at least 6 inches worth. Now add seed potatoes. Cover with more compost and 6 more inches of straw.
Once the plants have grown out about 8 inches, then gently cover the stems with another 6 inches of straw. The tubers should form off of the stems so you can keep adding more straw until you reach the top.
I spent $3.48 on the seed potatoes so hopefully I will at least get a return on my initial investment. Here's to hoping for a good harvest!
This is such a neat idea! I'm going to try a few different ways of growing potatoes in containers this spring. I hate trying to dig them up!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time growing spuds! I don't have the room to plant them in my garden so I thought I'd try this out. I will post my progress on here. I hope your containers work out as well!
ReplyDeleteProgress update?
DeleteSo how did it go? Thinking of doing this next year if you had luck with it...
ReplyDeleteI had a pretty good harvest of the smaller red potatoes. The Yukon gold and the blue ribbon potatoes did not grow very well. Although in all fairness they don't usually grow very well in the ground here in Arkansas (it's just too hot and humid). I would definitely give it a try! We got a ton of tastey red "new" potatoes that we love to sauté in butter.
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