Are potatoes hard to grow?

**Susanscraps** · 05-08-2008, 04:35 PM

Just trying to help our grocery bill!

**ShawnaRae** · 05-08-2008, 05:28 PM

I think potatoes are very easy to grow. As long as the soil is not compacted. We've grown ours in a raised bed before. When the first leaves start emerging we pile more soil on top. We do that quite a few times. The plants keep growing and they produce more tubers. It adds a bit more vertical space, which is good if you have limited space to start with. I even grew potatoes in a trash can when I was in college. Same thing, adding more soil on top as the plants grew. I must have read that somewhere! I always buy seed potatoes, although I've heard of people using grocery store potatoes.

**IntlMom** · 05-08-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by ShawnaRae

I think potatoes are very easy to grow. As long as the soil is not compacted. We've grown ours in a raised bed before. When the first leaves start emerging we pile more soil on top. We do that quite a few times. The plants keep growing and they produce more tubers. It adds a bit more vertical space, which is good if you have limited space to start with. I even grew potatoes in a trash can when I was in college. Same thing, adding more soil on top as the plants grew. I must have read that somewhere! I always buy seed potatoes, although I've heard of people using grocery store potatoes.

I am growing them for the first time ever. It looks like 4 of my 5 plants are growing. They just emereged a few days ago. Are you saying that AS SOON as you see the green leaves, I sould cover them up with more soil?

**Nishu** · 05-08-2008, 05:50 PM

In the book "a slice of organic life", they explained how to grow potatoes in one of those big flower pots or half wood barrels. I'm going to try it this summer.

**brenda67** · 05-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by ShawnaRae

I think potatoes are very easy to grow. As long as the soil is not compacted. We've grown ours in a raised bed before. When the first leaves start emerging we pile more soil on top. We do that quite a few times. The plants keep growing and they produce more tubers. It adds a bit more vertical space, which is good if you have limited space to start with. I even grew potatoes in a trash can when I was in college. Same thing, adding more soil on top as the plants grew. I must have read that somewhere! I always buy seed potatoes, although I've heard of people using grocery store potatoes.

Quote.....although I've heard of people using grocery store potatoes..

I read that you shouldn't use the store potatoes because they are sprayed w/chemicals or pesticides..

**ShawnaRae** · 05-09-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by IntlMom

I am growing them for the first time ever. It looks like 4 of my 5 plants are growing. They just emereged a few days ago. Are you saying that AS SOON as you see the green leaves, I sould cover them up with more soil?

Hi. That's what I have done, just keep covering them up with dirt. Thank you for the Q because I was in a hurry and forgot to say... Bury most of the plant, but leave a bit of foliage peaking out at the top. The plants will keep growing upwards. You can do this until the plants stop flowering. This method works good in containers, but I have mounded them up on the ground, too. You just have to be careful not to break any stems. After the plants stop flowering (producing potatoes), they'll usually die back and that's when we harvest potatoes.

It does work for us! It seems like we get more potatoes this way! We have limited space so I try to grow as much as possible in a small space. I bet you can find info about it on-line, because I have read it in several books. But you might not want to mess with your plants! And I don't blame you! Isn't it amazing how fast they grow? I love potato plants!

**danni** · 05-09-2008, 04:18 PM

My grandpa used to grow potatoes in old tires. Just keep adding more tires and dirt. I'm planning on trying it this year.

**StaceyS** · 05-09-2008, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by brenda67

Quote.....although I've heard of people using grocery store potatoes..

I read that you shouldn't use the store potatoes because they are sprayed w/chemicals or pesticides..

Store potatoes may have been sprayed with chemicals to retard sprouting, but if I have some in the bag that sprout I plant those. Or you could buy organic...

**starbasset** · 05-12-2008, 10:20 AM

I found out how easy it is to grown them down here in FL (we have very sandy soil) when one year out of a compost pile I saw this pretty green plant come out and figured it grew so effortlessly I left it and in no time I had a lot of potatoes!

**Lilolme** · 05-14-2008, 01:16 PM

Hmmm, I have tomatoes planted this year and was thinking about potatoes! I'm very very new to gardening though so maybe I should just stick with tomatoes this year and see how they turn out! On the other hand, I would love to grow potatoes!

Okay, I've talked myself into it! LOL

I'm gonna try some in a container!

**starbasset** · 05-14-2008, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Lilolme

Hmmm, I have tomatoes planted this year and was thinking about potatoes! I'm very very new to gardening though so maybe I should just stick with tomatoes this year and see how they turn out! On the other hand, I would love to grow potatoes!

Okay, I've talked myself into it! LOL

I'm gonna try some in a container!

That's so funny - I'd LOVE to be able to grow tomatoes but between the intense sun, intense heat and prolific bugs ...it's a HUGE challenge!