Comments on: Grow Potatoes in a Trash Can

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:07:43 +0000

I read some where the type of white potatoes matters in container growth.
The two main reasons for using a 32 gallon can instead of a 5 gallon can, is that the under ground stem has more feed roots & tubers can grow up the stem. I also read that one type of potato has tubers on the bottom of the stem ONLY, no matter how high you pile soil(28-30 inches in 32 gallon can).
There is a potato that will grow tuber on the bottom & up the stem also.
This second type is the one I am looking for.
Can any one help?

By: Chas

Chas — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:07:35 +0000

My problem with wanting to grow purple potatoes is finding seed or tubes in my state. Can seed potatoes be ordered off line?
I like you idea of trash can growing and will sub for tubs with holes however I normally use lazy beds beneath straw and each year it seems to work ok in my zone. Last year I got approx 100# from a small area, now I willing to get the purple a try.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:55:46 +0000

I am currently growing potatoes in a trash can and have been filling in around the green stems as they are growing, but I have reached the top of the can and after I just covered the stems again, they haven’t poked through the top again. Should I take some dirt out or just be patient and wait for the stems to show up again? Also, if planted in April/May when will they most likely be ready for harvest.

thanks,

By: Deb Kincaid

Deb Kincaid — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:54:41 +0000

This is such a great idea! I’d love to do this. I live inthe PacNW and we haven’t reached 60 degrees here, so I think potatoes would do well. I have one concern, tho’. Toxicity from the trash can. If the sun beats down on a plastic trash can the toxins from the plastic will definitely permeate the soil, and, naturally, the potatoes. Plastic trash cans are not made of #1 and #2 plastic (food grade). Similar problem with an aluminum trash can. Is there a safer container within which to put this idea into practice? I’m wondering about sono-tubes (I think that’s what they’re called) used as forms for pouring concrete columns. Would that work, or would the sono-tube material break down before harvest?

By: Alan Jones

Alan Jones — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:28:25 +0000

I am doing this for the first time this year. I am in southern California with a year round growing season. Will the potato plants every stop growing? One website said to harvest when the plant dies down and turns brown. I am not sure mine will ever do that. How do I know when to harvest? Mine has no flowers. This variety is Burbank Russett.

By: jllebow

jllebow — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:23:57 +0000

For really easy and CLEAR directions on how to do this try this link. It gave really good information about not only growing them but the parasites that normally grow in potato plants and what can be done with the soil (which is still really good and rich when it’s done). One idea was to use the soil after digging the potatoes out for your herb/flower garden. The site suggests piling compost around the stems as they grow. I will definently be trying potatoes this year! Any idea if it’s bad to mix types of potato in the same container? I have some sweet potatoes, yukon gold, red, and purple poatoes which all (somehow) ended up with eyes before I could cook them. LOL BIG ONES.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2222722_grow-potatoes-garbage-can.html

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:04:57 +0000

I’d like to give this a try in an old trashcan I have but I have a couple of questions.

1. I assume I leave the lid off, correct?
2. How does the plant get sunlight when the sides of the can are so much higher than the 10 inches of surface soil that you suggest we start with? Is there a trick on how/where to place it?
3. We have a south facing side yard, should I place it there?

Thanks!

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:16:48 +0000

Hi, I am growing purple potatoes this way, but something unexpected has happened, The part of the potatoe plant that has grown above the container is taller than the 32gal. bin. In other words these things are like 11 feet tall and growing! They are poatato trees! any ideas/suggestions? Is this what they normally do?
Thank you,
Yolanda T.

By: Ishrath

Ishrath — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:34:51 +0000

I saw that episode on Jamie at Home where he showed how to grow potatoes in a bag. That was some good lesson. Love that show… there are many tips n tricks in there.

By: Pomona Belvedere

Pomona Belvedere — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:12:13 +0000

In my area, potatoes are a winter crop, more or less; I lived with a guy who grew up growing potatoes in Maine, and he planted them in January in our zone 8 climate. If the gophers hadn’t gotten 2/3 of them, it would have been a good crop. This post’s update of an old potato-growing method would be a good way to avoid that, but it would also make the soil warmer in summer. I think it’s easiest just to wait until the time is right, rather than fuss endlessly over something that wants different growing conditions. The plants usually turn out better when you serve their needs. Your county ag advisor could tell you when.