Save Space Growing Potatoes In Bags
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If you’re looking to maximize your summer harvest despite space constraints, a successful garden might take creativity. One solution is growing potatoes in bags. These “grow bags” are increasingly popular, especially where in-ground gardening isn’t feasible. Though some gardeners claim you’ll get upwards of 20 lbs. of potatoes per bag, it’s better to set your expectations to a harvest of around five to 10 lbs., depending on bag size.
Most grow bags are made of polypropylene, a durable, breathable material available in various sizes. They range in price and are sold at garden retailers nationwide and online. Other options include doubling up trash bags, feed bags, seed bags or even burlap. However, burlap, a natural material, is more prone to rotting. If using watertight bags, be sure to add drainage holes. For best results, choose dark-colored bags that hold around 50 quarts of soil.
Success also depends on choosing the right potato varieties. Potatoes are divided into two categories: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate varieties grow in one layer, and the stem stops growing once the plant produces berries. This means mounding more soil on the plants is a wasted effort. The potatoes are ready early, around 70 to 90 days, but they don’t store as well as indeterminates. Popular varieties include Yukon Gold and Kennebec.
Indeterminate potatoes, in contrast, grow in layers along the stem even after fruiting. Mounding soil on top of plants (ensuring the leaves stay uncovered) maximizes yields, making them ideal for potato towers. While indeterminate potatoes take longer to mature (110 to 135 days), they tend to store better. Popular varieties include Russet, German Butterball and French fingerlings, which are especially effective in grow bags.
For best success, set up the grow bags in an easily accessible space. That increases the chance you’ll be consistent with watering and upkeep. Consider placing the bags on wooden pallets to prevent direct contact with the ground. It’s also wise to pay attention to heat reflection, as container plants are at a greater risk of getting fried. Fill each bag halfway with a mixture of compost and potting soil. It’s best to avoid soil with too much clay, as that can limit potato sizing. Dampen the mix without soaking it, then set the seed potatoes on top. Each plant requires about 2.5 gal. of soil, meaning a 50-quart bag will support five to six. Cover with 2 in. of dampened soil.
Water the grow bags whenever the soil feels dry, ensuring that it stays damp, not soggy. Leaves and stems should emerge within two weeks. As the plants grow, you’ll add more soil to keep the stems buried and producing more potatoes. Shaking shovelfuls of soil over the plants makes it easier to unbury any leaves.
Potatoes are ready for harvest once the plant above the soil line wilts and turns brown. Shovel soil out of the bags until they are light enough to dump into wheelbarrows. Sift carefully, as many small potatoes may be hiding.
Let the bags air out and dry completely before storage for next spring. With proper care, you can use them to reap the rewards of homegrown potatoes for years.
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Save Space Growing Potatoes In Bags If you’re looking to maximize your summer harvest despite space constraints a successful garden might take creativity One solution is growing potatoes in bags These “grow bags” are increasingly popular especially where in-ground gardening isn’t feasible Though some gardeners claim you’ll get upwards of 20 lbs of potatoes per bag it’s better to set your expectations to a harvest of around five to 10 lbs depending on bag size Most grow bags are made of polypropylene a durable breathable material available in various sizes They range in price and are sold at garden retailers nationwide and online Other options include doubling up trash bags feed bags seed bags or even burlap However burlap a natural material is more prone to rotting If using watertight bags be sure to add drainage holes For best results choose dark-colored bags that hold around 50 quarts of soil Success also depends on choosing the right potato varieties Potatoes are divided into two categories: determinate and indeterminate Determinate varieties grow in one layer and the stem stops growing once the plant produces berries This means mounding more soil on the plants is a wasted effort The potatoes are ready early around 70 to 90 days but they don’t store as well as indeterminates Popular varieties include Yukon Gold and Kennebec Indeterminate potatoes in contrast grow in layers along the stem even after fruiting Mounding soil on top of plants ensuring the leaves stay uncovered maximizes yields making them ideal for potato towers While indeterminate potatoes take longer to mature 110 to 135 days they tend to store better Popular varieties include Russet German Butterball and French fingerlings which are especially effective in grow bags For best success set up the grow bags in an easily accessible space That increases the chance you’ll be consistent with watering and upkeep Consider placing the bags on wooden pallets to prevent direct contact with the ground It’s also wise to pay attention to heat reflection as container plants are at a greater risk of getting fried Fill each bag halfway with a mixture of compost and potting soil It’s best to avoid soil with too much clay as that can limit potato sizing Dampen the mix without soaking it then set the seed potatoes on top Each plant requires about 2 5 gal of soil meaning a 50-quart bag will support five to six Cover with 2 in of dampened soil Water the grow bags whenever the soil feels dry ensuring that it stays damp not soggy Leaves and stems should emerge within two weeks As the plants grow you’ll add more soil to keep the stems buried and producing more potatoes Shaking shovelfuls of soil over the plants makes it easier to unbury any leaves Potatoes are ready for harvest once the plant above the soil line wilts and turns brown Shovel soil out of the bags until they are light enough to dump into wheelbarrows Sift carefully as many small potatoes may be hiding Let the bags air out and dry completely before storage for next spring With proper care you can use them to reap the rewards of homegrown potatoes for years
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