Comments on: Grow Potatoes in a Trash Can

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.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:38:15 +0000

I hear potatoes actually put on the most spud in cooler weather (50s and 60s).

By: Norma

Norma — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:31:05 +0000

Thanks for the idea’s. But I would love to grow potatoes all year long. What if you put your container in a cooler spot? would that make a differents.

By: Chris West

Chris West — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:13:58 +0000

Awesome directions for potatoes in a container. Taters are an awesome way to teach kids easy gardening down here in the southwest and a great way to augment emergency supplies for long term disasters!

Thanks again!
Chris
Urbansurvivalsecrets.com

By: Garden Tool Kit

Garden Tool Kit — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:33:00 +0000

I couldn’t convince my husband to grow potatoes this year – maybe next year, as the strawberries turned out so well.

By: Shady Gardener

Shady Gardener — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:30:07 +0000

Wonderful idea!!! I’m going to print this, so I can try it next year!