Omar Khalid
Growing potatoes in plastic containers is a great option for those with limited gardening space. Containers can be placed in small gardens, patios, or balconies, and they protect plants from critters such as voles. The ideal container for growing potatoes is opaque, has good drainage, and is 2 to 3 feet tall with a 10- to 15-gallon capacity. Plastic storage tubs, bins, and laundry baskets are all great options as they are lightweight, inexpensive, and widely available. To grow potatoes in a plastic container, it is recommended to use a mix of high-quality, fast-draining potting soil and compost. Seed potatoes should be cut into pieces with at least two eyes or growth nodes and left to sit for a couple of days before planting. Regular watering and adequate sunlight are also essential for successful potato growth in containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container type | Opaque plastic container with drainage holes |
| Container size | 2-3 feet tall with a 10-15 gallon capacity |
| Soil type | Loamy, well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 5.2-6.0), half potting soil and half quality compost |
| Potato type | Small potatoes, "new" potatoes, mid or late-season varieties |
| Potato preparation | Cut seed potatoes into pieces with at least 2 eyes/growth nodes, let cut surfaces callus over for a few days |
| Sunlight | At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily |
| Watering | Regular and frequent, soak thoroughly every 2-3 days |
| Harvesting | After flowering in mid- to late summer, about 3-4 months from planting |
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What You'll Learn
Container requirements and preparation
Container Type and Size
Select an opaque plastic container with a capacity of at least 5 gallons. An ideal container would be 2 to 3 feet tall with a 10- to 15-gallon capacity. Avoid containers taller than 3 feet, as it becomes challenging to water the plants evenly. Suitable options include plastic storage tubs, plastic laundry baskets, plastic garbage bins, or plastic grow bags. Ensure your container has good drainage by drilling holes in the bottom and sides if necessary.
Soil and Nutrients
Use a high-quality, fast-draining potting soil mix. A half-and-half mixture of commercial potting soil and quality compost is recommended. Potatoes thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.2 to 6.0, which helps prevent potato scab. You can also add a handful of bonemeal around the plants once they start to develop.
Potato Varieties
Choose smaller potato varieties, such as fingerling potatoes or new potatoes, which are better suited to the confined space of a container. Avoid large storage types of potatoes, as they may become too cramped and produce fewer tubers. Cut your seed potatoes into pieces with at least two eyes or growth nodes, allowing each section to sprout and form a new plant.
Sunlight and Watering
Place your container in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Potatoes require frequent watering, as container soil tends to dry out faster than the ground. Water your potatoes regularly, allowing the compost to dry out slightly between watering sessions to promote steady potato formation. Avoid using rainwater during the summer, as it may contain blight spores.
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Potato varieties and planting
When it comes to choosing the right potato variety to grow in a plastic container, it's important to consider the size of the container and the type of potato you want to harvest. Smaller potato varieties, such as fingerling potatoes or "new" potatoes, are often better suited for containers as they have limited space to grow. These smaller varieties also tend to produce more prolific harvests. On the other hand, larger storage types of potatoes may become too cramped in pots and yield fewer tubers.
Mid to late-season potato varieties are generally better choices for containers than early-season types. This is because they continue to form tubers over a longer period. When selecting seed potatoes, choose those with at least one to two "eyes" or growth nodes, as these are the areas from which the potatoes will sprout. Avoid using potatoes from the grocery store, as they may have been treated with chemical sprout inhibitors or carry plant diseases. Instead, opt for seed potatoes from reputable sources like seed catalogues or garden centres.
Before planting, prepare your seed potatoes by cutting them into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one eye. Allow the cut surfaces to callus over by leaving them to sit for a couple of days. You can also plant small seed potatoes whole. When you're ready to plant, fill your container with about 6 to 8 inches of high-quality potting soil that is fast-draining. A good option is a half-and-half mixture of commercial potting soil and quality compost.
Position your container in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Space the seed potatoes about 10 inches apart from each other and approximately 4 inches from the sides of the container. Plant the seed potatoes with the eyes facing up and cover them with about 2 inches of soil. Water the planted potatoes well and continue to water them regularly during the growing season, allowing the compost to almost dry out between watering to promote steady potato formation. Avoid using rainwater from a butt in the summer, as it can contain blight spores.
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Soil and compost
Firstly, it is important to use a suitable potting mix or soil for your container-grown potatoes. Unlike potatoes grown directly in the ground, which thrive in fertile and acidic garden soil, container-grown potatoes require a well-drained and lightweight potting mix. Peat-based or soilless potting mixes are excellent choices as they retain moisture while also shedding excess water, preventing waterlogging and rot. You can also use a simple mix of equal parts peat moss, coarse vermiculite, and compost, which makes for excellent potato container soil.
Secondly, compost is a vital addition to your container. It provides essential nutrients to support the growth of your potatoes. Place a couple of inches of good-quality compost in the bottom of your container before adding your seed potatoes. You can use bagged compost, which is readily available at garden centres, or source free compost from local initiatives. Ensure the compost is light and free-draining, without any large pieces that may impede drainage or the growth of your potatoes.
The ratio of soil to compost can be adjusted to suit your needs and preferences. A common mixture is a 50/50 blend of commercial potting soil and compost, but you can experiment with ratios such as 70% compost and 30% soil, as suggested by some gardeners. It is important to remember that potatoes do not require rich soil, but a good mix of soil and compost in your container can significantly enhance their growth.
Additionally, consider adding other amendments to your soil and compost mixture. Some gardeners recommend adding a handful of bonemeal around the plants once they start to develop. You can also include feed in the bottom of your container, mixing in about one and a half ounces of pelleted potato feed to provide additional nutrients.
Lastly, remember that container-grown potatoes require frequent watering, as the soil can dry out quickly. Ensure your container has good drainage, and water your potatoes regularly to keep the soil moist. With the right soil, compost, and care, you can successfully grow potatoes in plastic containers.
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Watering and sunlight
When growing potatoes in a plastic container, it is important to ensure that the container has good drainage. You can drill drainage holes in the bottom of the container to allow excess water to escape. The container should also be filled with well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, which can cause the potatoes to rot. A mix of soilless potting mix and quality compost is ideal, as it retains moisture while also shedding excess water.
The amount of sunlight your potatoes receive is also crucial to their growth. Potatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. You can place your container in a sunny spot in your garden or move it around to catch the sunlight. If you are growing your potatoes in a particularly hot climate, be mindful that thin plastic containers may not retain enough moisture, and thicker plastic containers or buckets may be more suitable.
It is also important to note that the colour of the container can affect the temperature and sunlight absorption. For example, black containers absorb less sun, which can help the plant take up nutrients faster. Additionally, consider the size of the container, as containers that are too tall may be difficult to water evenly. An ideal container will be about 2-3 feet tall with a 10-15 gallon capacity.
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Harvesting
Potatoes can be harvested any time after they flower, which usually happens in mid-to-late summer. Depending on the variety, this can be in about three to four months from planting. If you want to harvest just a few potatoes, reach down into your container and pull out the largest tubers. Alternatively, you can wait a few more weeks until the entire potato plant begins to yellow and die back. Then, carefully lift the whole plant out of the soil, or turn the container over onto a plastic tarp for easier harvesting. The tubers will easily detach from the plant. After harvesting, wash the potatoes and use them in your favourite recipes.
The timing of your harvest also depends on the type of potatoes you are growing. If you are growing full-size potatoes, you can harvest them early as baby potatoes, about a week or two after the flowers form. For smaller varieties, it is better to wait until they mature, harvesting about a week after the foliage has died back.
Another factor to consider is the yield you desire. If you are looking for a larger harvest, let the potatoes grow for a longer period before harvesting. However, if you prefer smaller "new" potatoes, you can harvest them earlier.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any large opaque container with drainage holes, such as plastic storage tubs, plastic laundry baskets, plastic bins, or buckets. An ideal container will be about 2-3 feet tall with a 10-15 gallon capacity.
Potatoes grow best in fertile, acidic, well-draining soils with a pH of between 5.2 and 6.0. You can use a half-and-half mixture of commercial potting soil and quality compost, or a mix of peat moss, coarse vermiculite, and compost.
Potatoes in containers need frequent watering, as the soil dries out faster than in the ground. Water your potatoes once a day, and make sure there is enough clearance at the top of the container for water to collect without overflowing in heavy rain.
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