want to try potatoes this year

**Missy** · 01-01-2006, 03:57 PM

can they be grown in containers? I have two huge whiskey type barrels that I'd love to grow in...I thought one container potatoes, and in another carrots or onions or the like.

**Valerie in WA** · 01-01-2006, 04:24 PM

I would think so. But I don't know if it would be worth your while. One potato plant needs about 1 sqft of surface (and at least 18 inches of depth). But it may only produce 6 or 8 spuds.

If you could set the pots near a trellis, you could plant snap peas or snap beans about 2 inches apart all thru the container and it might feel like more of a yield.

**forestdale** · 01-01-2006, 04:25 PM

most certainly, missy. I grew potatoes in cages last year. This is a pic of them. All you need is a big container. put some soil or compost in the bottom, put in about 6 seed potatoes, cover them with more compost or soil and some straw.

Every time the green shoots up through the straw, add more straw and compost. You keep building it up, the higher the soil and straw go, the more potatoes you will get.

I didn't keep piling my straw up with these in the photo but I still got many kilos of potatoes from the cage.

They don't need a lot of water. Maybe water once a week.

**forestdale** · 01-01-2006, 04:26 PM

oh, and you'll have to drill drainage hole in the bottom of the barrel.

**Missy** · 01-01-2006, 05:14 PM

cool! thanks for the tips! Are any particular types better than any other? (for growing, that is)

**forestdale** · 01-01-2006, 05:40 PM

if you buy the seed potatoes available at your local garden centre or produce store they generally stock the ones suitable for your area.

**ACEHearts** · 01-02-2006, 12:52 PM

Oh.. I love your potato cages! I was thinking of skipping taters this year, but maybe I'll put in a couple of cages and see what happens with them. I should have lots of compost for them by spring!

Cindy

**forestdale** · 01-04-2006, 03:18 PM

the cages were really easy to make cindy. Just 4 star pegs and some chicken wire wrapped around them. This year I plan to put them into all the corners of my garden. They are areas that are usually wasted space.

**Valerie in WA** · 01-04-2006, 08:54 PM

Here's an article for you: http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php...905&Itemid=118

**ACEHearts** · 01-04-2006, 10:03 PM

Good article! I'm even thinking of using the 2 dryer drum's I have here for potatoes.. though I like the cages better, since the idea was that the dryer drums were supposed to be for my mint's so they don't take over the place! LOL!

Cindy

**forestdale** · 01-04-2006, 10:28 PM

yes, it's a good idea to contain mint. It's a real pest when it escapes.

**ACEHearts** · 01-04-2006, 11:58 PM

provided I can keep it alive. Can you believe I actually managed to kill 2 mint plants??

but that's a whole 'nother thread! LOL!

Cindy

**owiebrain** · 01-05-2006, 03:03 PM

I grew taters in old tires in 2004. As you build the dirt higher, you just throw on another tire. It worked wonderfully! Well, except for the bugs that got them but that would have happened anyway. LOL